Upon This Rock 114 December 2010

Upon this Rock’s on

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

1

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu 2

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Dear Friends

D

o you know what it feels like when you expect a friend to come whom you haven’t seen for some time, and he or she delays?

Or when you get excited because you are anticipating some important or life-changing event to take place, and you wake up in the morning with that thought on your mind? The Lord Jesus expects us to watch in great anticipation for the most important event of all His return in glory at the end of time! The prophets foretold the coming of the Lord when He shall judge between the nations and decide

What direction are you taking this Christmas ? for many peoples (Isaiah 2:5).

The Advent season reminds us that we are living in the end times. The end times begin with the first coming of Christ (His Incarnation which we celebrate at Christmas) and culminates in His final return on the Day of Judgment. Jesus spoke of His return in glory at the end of time as a certain fact. Jesus’ audience understood the title, Son of Man, as referring to the Messianic prophecy of the Annointed King who comes to establish an everlasting kingdom over the earth (see Daniel 7:13). While the second coming is for certain, the time is unknown. The Lord’s

The choice is yours. Which path will you follow?

Editor Fr. Stuart Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.eu Production Editor: A. Sargent angela@europeaxess.com Cover: Bishop Ralph Heskett.

Upon this Rock’s on

Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media Ltd, Gibraltar.

Photo-collage: A. Sargent.

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.

To advertise: 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: 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 reserves the right to refuse space to any submissions or advertisements.

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

3

D e a r F r i e n d s

God helps us to turn away from sin and follow the path to holiness.

We can live and work with godly Christians, but no matter how close they may be to God, they cannot win a place for us in heaven. God offers each of us a personal invitation to accept His kingdom or to reject it. There is really no middle ground. We are either for God or against Him, for His kingdom of righteousness or against it. The choice is ours.

A New

A

t 11.00am on the 19th of November Bishop Ralph Heskett received the editors, and representatives of the team responsible for the production of the Upon this Rock magazine, in a meeting marking his acceptance of the Patronage of the publication.

“I have always been impressed”, said the Bishop speaking at the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, “during the years I have been coming to Gibraltar, at the quality of the presentation of this publication. It is both formative and informative, covering not just religious matters but also social topics, and I am very pleased to take up the mantle of its Patron.”

To open the meeting the editorin-chief, Fr. Stuart Chipolina had re-iterated the brief given by Bishop Caruana over ten years ago, when he first asked for a ‘Diocesan Newsletter’ to be published. “Bishop Caruana was very aware of the importance of communications,” he explained,

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

judgment comes swiftly and often unexpectedly. Jesus warns His listeners not to be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God’s good time! Do you earnestly pray for God’s kingdom to come – here and now!

What does Jesus mean when He says that one will be taken and another left? Having the right friends, even those who are very close to God, will not guarantee our entry into heaven.

And God’s grace is available to those who are willing to believe in God and obey His word.

God knows our struggles and challenges well, and He gives grace and help wherever we need it. But there is one excuse that God will not accept from us – that is trying to pass off personal responsibility for our lives and for our decisions to someone else. God judges each of us individually according to how we have responded to His gracious invitation to live for His kingdom. No one can discharge his or her duty by proxy or association. The good news is that God is merciful and He gives grace to turn away from sin and the help we need to follow His way of holiness. God’s judgment is good news for those who are ready to meet the Lord when He returns in his glory. He gives us fresh hope each day so we can keep our eyes on eternal reward waiting for us. What is that reward we long for? It is God Himself, the source of all beauty, truth and goodness, and the fullness of love and life that never ends.

A Blessed Christmas to you all

4

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Angela Sargent

“he even had plans, at one time to start a religious TV channel, because he understood the power of the Media. We were given a very open brief, and asked to cover all sorts of subjects and not to shy away from contentious issues. We started with just two sheets of paper folded and printed in black and white with a colour cover, and gradually we have built up to what we have now.” The magazine is now also available online, and has over 260 Facebook members.

None of this would be possible without the continuing support of the business community in Gibraltar, and the untiring efforts of the advertising sales people locally.

Fr. Stuart continued “ I am always surprised at how many people come up to me to say they have seen an article in the magazine, and it is clear that it is widely read, very widely read.”

Photos: Pete Boucher

Patron for Upon this Rock

he emphasised. During the meeting four volumes comprising Issues 1 - 113 were presented to His Lordship, and the team members present were introduced. Bishop Ralph, demon-

strating that he too understands the role of the Media, had invited GBC to the Shrine, thus raising the magazine’s profile, as a clip from the event was shown on the local News that evening,

Upon this Rock’s on

W

e invite you to join us for a traditional festive holiday, where the emphasis is on quality combined with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

This year we will be offering special Yuletide Menus prepared by our Head Chef which are sure to make your mouth water, and traditional carol singing.

For the braver amongst you, there is the traditional Polar Bear Boxing Day swim at Catalan Bay, followed by a special Eliott Hotel Hot Toddy and delicious homemade Mince Pies.

All throughout Christmas, our attentive staff will be on hand to ensure you and your family have yourselves a very Merry Christmas!

We look forward to welcoming you!

Tel: 20070500 Fax: 20070243

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

5

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu 6

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Pictures and text by Louisa Aguilera and Julio Alcantara

The Consecration of St. Theresa’s Church

raising events. We also have a 199 year lease for the church so we have all the three things in place now to be able to celebrate the much awaited consecration.”

During the ceremony Bishop Heskett anointed the altar with holy oils and the columns of the church were also blessed, as this is what constitutes the symbolic consecration.

The event was attended not only by members of the parish and wider diocese but also by friends from Spain who regularly come to the Novena to St. Theresa which is held at the same time every year, and this year made a wonderful spiritual preparation for the week before the feast

day on 29th October. “A date”, emphasized Fr. Charlie, “when we will have our feast and celebration, a day that we will have down on our calendars

From The Gibraltar Chronicle.

O

n the 29th of October at 7.00pm Fr. Ralph Heskett, Bishop of Gibraltar, officiated at the Consecration of St. Theresa’s Parish Church.

Parish priest Mgr Charlie Azzopardi explained “To have a Consecration there are certain ecclesiastical requirements, one is to be free of debts, the other that the church will be in perpetuity and maintained as such and not just a temporary church, and last but not least that it has a stable and constant community. We luckily have financially never been in debt as money came from all walks of life and from different fund

This page: offertory gifts brought up by Lourdes Chipolina, Vicky Desoiza, Vicky Drury, altar servers Kevin Vinnicombe, John Paul Hernandez and Francis Alman, the final blessing. A moment during the Eucharistic Liturgy. Presentation of two chasubles as gifts from the parish to commemorate the Bishop’s first official visit to St Theresa’s Church, the presentation was made by two children, Gabriella Duo and William Menez.

Upon this Rock’s on

Opposite page: Mrs Podesta finalising the flowers before the event, the Diocesan Choir and Faithful assembled, Bishop Ralph Heskett gives the homily. Blessing the church, Dinah Ferro gives the first reading, Bishop Ralph anoints the altar with holy oils, incensing the church, Mgr Charles Azzopardi, Parish Priest of St Theresa’s Church, lit the Paschal Candle then transferred that flame to the parishoners’ small candles and they take the light out to all the columns of the church.

each year as a special day that celebrates the dedication of the church and that emphasizes that our church will be here for perpetuity!”

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

7

Action in the Community

Prison Fellowship

Prison, prisoners and their families, by Louis J. Lombard.

B

Jesus Christ makes in the lives of people and he became convinced that the real solution to crime is found through spiritual renewal.

Prison Fellowship was founded to bring together men and women from various Christian Churches to share the love of God with prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families. Mr. Colson’s experiences in prison and in starting Prison Fellowship are recorded in his books Born Again and Life Sentence.

Three years after the formation of Prison Fellowship in the United States, representatives from similar organisations in England, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Bahamas met to form Prison Fellowship

International as an association of national Prison Fellowship organisations. The purpose of PFI is to develop and serve national Prison Fellowship organisations.

At present Prison Fellowship organisations are established in over 115 countries and all run by volunteers.

“Cuéntame Project”

by Prison Fellowship in Costa Rica

W

hat the young children who benefit from this project want most are their mothers.

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

efore I share with you what I think is a wonderful project organized by Prison Fellowship in Costa Rica, which I read in their magazine “Global Link”, I think I should explain, for those who do not know, what Prison Fellowship is all about.

Prison Fellowship was founded in the United States in 1976 by Charles W. Colson, following his release from prison after serving a sentence for a “Watergate” related crime. Prior to his imprisonment, Mr. Colson had served as chief counsel for President Nixon.

During his own imprisonment, Mr. Colson had seen and experienced the difference that faith in

8

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

At the vulnerable ages of between four and ten years old, these children are casualties of the harsh reality of crime and punishment. Some saw their mother taken to prison in hand cuffs; others came home to discover that their mother would not be back for some years.

Unfortunately, visits are rare as most families have very low or no income and many live very far away from the main prison in San José.

Prison Fellowship in Costa Rica started Cuéntame Proyecto (Tell me Project) with the aim of renewing that very important bond between mother and child, also to bring some comfort to these innocent children whose lives have been shattered by crime.

Prison Fellowship volunteers record the mothers reading a story from a story book and the recordings are taken to the respective children together with the playback equipment.

They show the child how to put on the earphones and play back the recordings from their mother.

One child pressed the play button, and heard, “Hello my love…. do you know who this is? Yes, it’s

Louis J. Lombard your Mum. I want to read a story with you so that in the moments you feel sad or really miss me, we can be together.” The children, their grandmothers, aunts, and everyone, were all crying as they listened to the recordings. One of the grandmothers with tears in her eyes said, “Even I like to listen to it, hearing her voice. She is my daughter you know” A young boy hugged one of the volunteers and whispered, “I’m going to listen to my Mum every day in my room” The smiles, the hugs, and even the tears confirm that this simple project has profoundly touched many lives.

Being a prison visitor myself for over 20 years, and being concerned about the spiritual and material needs of the prisoners and their families, I once attended a Prison Fellowship International Convocation in Washington DC and apart from many other things, I brought back with me, a saying which has a very profound meaning, and which I have used on many occasions: “Theologians sometimes can make mistakes, good samaritans never.”

www.pwc.gi

The world’s number one professional services network

PwC firms provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. See www.pwc.com for more information.

© 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited, which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity.

Upon this Rock’s on

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

9

Listening to our children

Funny Stories in the Gail Francis was never going to stop at one book, and is planning her second, but needs your input.

I

means of raising funds for her favourite charity.

“When I returned from the Miss World contest I was fuelled up with a desire to make the most of my year and wanted to do something for charity. My love for writing made it easy for me to create my first book and it was then that I developed itchy feet to do it all over again. I made just over £2000 for the

mothers to share their children’s funny stories with her so she can use them in the forthcoming compilation.

“You send me your funny stories of things your kids may have said or done, or stories your parents may have told you about you or other members of your family. Or maybe you have been the recipient of something a child may have said to you. In other words, anything funny that is true. Do not worry about how to relate it as simple English will do the trick. I will write and embellish the story myself. Don’t forget to tell me the name of the adult and the child, as well as the child’s age.

In order for you to have a clear idea about what I am looking for just check some of the examples further down in this article that will be part of my stories for the book.”

Gail’s son is now 17 years old but thanks to Gail’s journal she remembers most of the things he said or did as a youngster, this

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

t was in 1985, the month was November, and Gail Francis had just been crowned Miss Gibraltar. It was due to obtaining this title that Gail on returning from the world’s greatest beauty pageant decided to write a book on her experiences at the Miss World Contest. The book called “Everyone’s a Winner” was very interesting and a

Calpe House.”

Her interest in writing started at school and Gail was not going to stop at her first book, it may have taken her a few years to bring out another but she is now ready and working on a compilation of short anecdotes about the funny things that children say or do.

“The inspiration came to me when throughout my son Casey’s growing years he would tell me something that really put a smile on my face. I thought that these occasions really had to be shared so I started to write them down so as not to forget them.”

She started a journal of all the things that her son said that made her or others laugh and this is what we will be reading about in this project she is so enthusiastic about. There are many other children out there who must do similar things and say funny things that would be interesting to quote in the book, so this is why Gail is asking for

10

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

e making book will also make her reminisce about those moments and she hopes will also bring back memories of similar situations to other parents.

“My now teenage son was incredibly naughty when he was little. This would drive me mad at times but after the event and on looking back at the things said I realised that although naughty, these events where actually quite funny. I somehow started working on this idea that one day I might use and quote these moments, it has taken a little longer than I expected but I am ready to go for it now.”

“I am lucky to love painting too so I will also be providing the illustrations for the book. The more stories I receive the better.

I will be giving credit by providing the name of the adult and child (first names only). I have not yet decided on the title of the book, it all depends on what others send me. It is important I collate all the information before deciding on the name.”

What does writing mean to you?

in the trolley facing the person behind me. I had endured a very busy day at work and could not wait to get home. Casey had been playing up and I was starting to lose my patience.

“Mummy look!” I did not look back. He insisted this time raising the volume of his voice for all to hear, “Mummy look!” I still refused to listen and started putting the shopping on the belt, and he got hold of my hand and my index finger and poked it into the person behind me …a rather obese belly. “Look Mummy FAT!” I couldn’t apologise enough but thankfully the person in question found it amusing.”

The stories go on and on and this is exactly what Gail is hoping to get from other sources to help her compile a book with substantial comments from our children or ourselves at a young age that will make someone out there have a laugh and enjoy. Just take a look at the next one and see exactly what Gail is after…

“I was driving out of the border from Gibraltar into Spain for a day trip with my husband and son Casey, who sat in the back seat. I looked in the rear view mirror and noticed that Casey had unfastened his seat belt. I asked him to put his seat belt back on but he completely ignored me. My husband Gabriel, in his strictest tone said, “Casey listen to Mummy and put on your seat belt, right now!” This time he replied, “Thank you for calling but Casey is not at home to take your call, please leave a message after the bleep… bleeeeeeep!”

by Sonia Golt

Gail Francis, former beauty queen, author, and artist.

Gail also has other things in mind apart from her next book as simultaneously she is preparing for her first solo painting exhibition to be held in February next year. She has entered her paintings in a variety of competitions, won prizes and awards, received “highly commended” certificates and had various pieces of work commissioned but never held a solo exhibition.

Her wonderful paintings and interesting first book are important factors of Gail’s creative life, she is certainly not just a PRETTY face!

Upon this Rock’s on

Is the book for parents or for children?

“The book is not a children’s book but it should also prove interesting reading for older children. But be careful, they might get ideas! Adults should find the book amusing, heart warming and a funny read, and this may trigger memories of the readers’ childhood or their own children, and we will then realise that all the important little gestures we do as children need not be easily forgotten!”

“I am writing this book as a personal challenge and one that I hope will bring many a smile to the reader, something that is a lovely sensation, for smiling and laughter is highly recommended! I have high hopes that via some valuable contacts I have, I may be able to publish the book in the United Kingdom. Gibraltar will be mentioned throughout the book so I also aim to give our little homeland plenty of publicity.”

“I have always been creative, as a child and very much so as a teenager, and I developed a great love for writing and painting. Both these hobbies take up a lot of my spare time, whenever I can find spare time! I find both these hobbies are therapeutic to the point of being meditative. I am a firm believer that we have to make the most of life and there is no excuse for boredom or time-wasting in my vocabulary. Through my writing I can freely express what my creative mind is longing to express. I have always been a keen reader.

I read a lot. When I was little I would be in the John Mackintosh Hall Library, almost every day. Authors like Enid Blyton and books about animals were always my favourite choice.

Nowadays I am quite open to reading almost anything I can get hold of, sometimes something simple and entertaining, other times more complicated like a good thriller. My favourite authors are, Jane Green, Cecilia Ahern, James Patterson and Dan Brown. The book I decide to read at a specific moment in time has a lot to do with the mood I am in.”

Tell me one or two of the stories we can expect to read about in your book…

“When I took Casey to the cinema as a young lad, he had the habit of always looking for a seat where there was a child nearby. On this specific occasion the cinema was practically empty but Casey sat down next to this young man and his son.

I was pretty embarrassed as the man might have wondered why we had chosen the seats next to him when we could have chosen any of the others. To add insult to injury Casey very proudly turned to the man and said: “Excuse me, do you know that thousands and thousands of years ago my mother was Miss Gibraltar?” And this is when I choked on the pop-corn!”

Another funny comment: “I was standing at the checkout queue at our very busy local supermarket. Casey was sitting

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

11

Christian Tradition

A all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

s an excuse for not going to church, a man said, ‘The clergy...are always dressed up in such funny clothes’. This was said by an avid sports fan!

12

Manchester United

Fr. Bill gives us some insight into the symbolism of the priest’s vestments.

Why do clergy ‘dress up’ to preside or assist at the Eucharist?

The clothes that the clergy wear were like the street clothes worn by those who lived in the Holy Land when Jesus lived there 2000

years ago. They are a living, symbolic reminder of those times and of our Lord Himself.

The long, flowing basic vestment is the alb. Usually these are white, hence the name, ‘alb’, from the Latin word, albus, meaning ‘white’. It reminds the clergy and the congregation of our baptism.

White is the colour of purity and reminds us of it. The cincture, the cord which clergy and servers wear around the waist, is to remind us that Jesus was scourged as part of the prelude to His crucifixion.

The long, colourful, strip of silk or other suitable material, the vestment which hangs over the priest’s shoulders, is the stole.

It reminds us of our call to service, to serve Christ as His hands and feet, to remind us that we are members of the Body of Christ. It also reminds us of Jesus’ words, ‘Take my yoke upon you...’

This is covered by a chasuble from the Latin word, casubula, meaning cottage. This is a cloak like, sleeveless vestment and resembles the street clothing worn as the evenings became cooler. It is colorful and is the same colour as the stole. If there is a vertical band of colour on the front, it is to

Murrow College University Graduates 2007

“Why do they wear

remind us of the whipping which Jesus endured prior to His crucifixion. If there is a ‘y’ like design on the back, it is to remind us of Jesus’ outstretched arms on the cross.

These vestments are white/gold, purple, red, or green. White /gold are used in celebrations whose focus is joy or thanksgiving. They are used at Christmas and Easter, on the birthdays of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist, and baptisms and weddings, for example.

Purple is used on solemn occasions and in the seasons of Advent and Lent which are seasons of solemn preparation for Christmas and Easter respectively. Red is the colour of the Holy Spirit to remind us of the ‘flames’ that hovered about the apostles’ heads on the day of Pentecost when they preached to vast crowds which resulted in the baptism of 3000 listeners. Red is also used when we give thanks to God for the martyrs, such as St Stephen, Thomas More, Helda Camara and countless thousands of others who from that day to this shed their blood for the cause of Christ and his Church.

Rose is often used on the fourth

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

by Fr. Bill Watson

Sunday of Lent and the third Sunday of Advent. In the Pre-Vatican ll lectionary the fourth Sunday of Lent’s gospel reading was about the feeding of the five thousand.

It was something of a break from the rigours of Lent. Sometime later it was thought that Advent might well be given such a Sunday as well.

We use green when we have no occasion to use the others. However, it is the colour of creation and is a useful reminder of our need, indeed vocation, to be faith-

ful stewards of the gifts of creation. How we need to be reminded of this today! Green is also the colour of growth. As we grow physically, we are called to grow spiritually as well.

Sometimes blue is used for feast days of our Lady. In some countries, it is also used in Advent.

Not only do vestments with their various meanings and colours remind us of the street clothes of Jesus’ day, they also help to create an ambience, a sense of the holy, a reminder that God is not

Giibraltar Clergy Photo– A. Sargent

UK Justices. Photographer – Ron Coello

funny clothes?”

only immanent, He is also transcendent.

In the psalms we read, “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness...let the whole earth stand in awe of Him.’ Do we? Remember that the meaning of ‘worship’ conveys worthiness, merit, recognition, honour and respect. The public worship of Almighty God ought to reflect these lofty goals.

The sovereign has a crown, the mayor has a chain, the general has a sword, the House of Commons has a mace, the nation has

a flag. It is correct for the Church have to her signs and symbols too. We can’t live without signs and symbols whether they be traffic lights, railroad signals, computer icons or whatever else.

Vestments are not ‘funny clothes’, they are symbols of the worship of Almighty God, a means of the worthiness of our offering, vessels of creating a devotional atmosphere. They are not ends in themselves, but they are means to an end, the purpose of our worship.

Upon this Rock’s on

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

13

Marian Devotion Gibraltar Day in the City of London

The History and Re-estab The Confraternity of You are invited to take part in the rebirth of this community, building on ancient foundations.

A

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

Confraternity of Our Lady of Europe was first established in the sixteenth century with the objective of disseminating the devotion, raising funds and organising spiritual and social events around the celebrations of Our Lady.

It played a very significant role in restoring the Shrine and the badly mutilated statue of Our Lady of Europe, following plundering of the Shrine by pirates in 1540.

One of the last wishes of the late

14

Bishop Charles Caruana was to see the Confraternity of Our Lady of Europe re-established, in line with most National Marian Shrines. So the Confraternity will be re-established by Mgr Charlie Azzopardi after the 6.00pm Mass at St. Theresa’s Church on Tuesday 7th December 2010 (eve of the Immaculate Conception). Information leaflets and enrolment forms will be available as from that day.

The main aims of the Confraternity are set out below: Members of the Confraternity

• To promote true devotion to Our Lady (under the title of Our Lady of Europe) • To pray for the continent of Europe • To pray for the work of the Shrine • To support the activities at the Shrine • To assist financially with the upkeep of the Shrine and its Marian apostolate

will be encouraged to deepen their devotion to Our Lady by joining their daily prayers with those of other members, and to support with their prayers the life and witness of the Shrine.

They will be able to share in the weekly Mass at the Shrine and in special Masses offered for members and their families. Social gatherings and celebrations will develop as the Confraternity grows.

Members will receive a Confraternity insignia and a prayer booklet. They will be kept

abreast of news, activities and developments at the Shrine by regular mailings of ‘The Shrine Messenger’ and by emails. A register of members will be kept at the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe.

Non-residents are welcome to become members of the Confraternity and enjoy the spiritual benefits.

There is no fixed membership fee, but a yearly donation is welcome.

Priests and Religious may also become members (no financial

Freephone

8008

Why ‘confraternity’? con·fra·ter·ni·ty - noun - pronounced kän-frə-tər-nə-tē

A

confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy.

An archconfraternity is a “franchise” of confraternities, able to establish different groups using the same names and rules, such as the Confraternities of the Cord, Confraternity of the Rosary and others. Many of these are very widely spread.

Especially in the cities of the Middle Ages, confraternities could be important and wealthy institutions for the elite, as in

the Scuole Grandi of Venice.

The Purgatorial societies and orders of flagellants were other specialized medieval types. The medieval French term ‘puy’ designated a confraternity dedicated to artistic performance in music, song and poetry; the German meistersingers were similar, though typically imitating trade guilds in form.

For example, the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament is an Anglo-Catholic confraternity established in the Church of England. Catholic confraternities of priests became common in the 19th century, fulfilling similar functions for the clergy.

Source: wikipedia

Members of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament meet for Adoration

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

by Mike Brufal

lishment of Our Lady of Europe

contribution required) and are encouraged to offer Masses and prayers for the aims and intentions of the Confraternity.

For more information, please contact Mgr Charles Azzopardi (58522000), Denis Hook (58658000) or the Shrine (20071230)

Upon this Rock’s on

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

15

Diocesan Centenary Celebrations

We are all anointed “A day of looking forward, asking for God’s blessing on the new century in the life of the Church here in Gibraltar.”

O all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

n the 20th of November 2010, at 12.00 midday Fr. Ralph Heskett, Bishop of Gibraltar, officiated at the Diocesan Celebration of the 100 years since the Erection of the Gibraltar Diocese at the Cathedral St. Mary the Crowned.

Coming as the culmination of a week’s celebrations in the individual parishes, encompassing

16

the themes of reconciliation, marriage, healing, Mary our Mother and remembrance, Bishop Ralph welcomed the faithful with the words “This is a day of looking forward, asking God’s blessing on a new century of the Church in Gibraltar.”

A letter from Cardinal Bertoli at the Vatican was read out, imparting cordial greetings from the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. Photos: Paul Earle & Jenny Munoz bear in the Gospel. The Diocesan Choir, over 50 strong, under Gail Hernandez Bishop Ralph enters amid clouds of incense.

“As the people of the Diocese come together to give thanks to God for the many graces received during these 100 years, His Holiness joins all of you in praying that the bonds of Communion linking you with one another, and with the universal Church, may grow deeper and stronger.

He encourages the people of the diocese to continue to bear joyful witness to their faith mindful that they are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people. Above all to spread the witness of Christ in hope among the people of the 21st Century. Commending all the clergy the religious and lay faithful in the Diocese to the eternal intersession of Our Lady of Europe, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing” Instead of the Penitential right, the water that will be used for baptisms during the coming year was blessed, and all the people present blessed as the priests

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

as Priests, Prophets and Kings.

time, until someone hung a sign on it reading, “Now he has no arms but yours.’

Bishop Ralph explained it was like when Jesus left this world, He commissioned His followers, “I chose you: I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last.” He continued that “We must be His hands, His feet, His eyes, His tongue, and His heart in the world. That same Commission that he gave them, he gives us in the Sacrament of Baptism. When we were baptised the priest said ‘As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet and King, so may you live always as a member of his body’.” He said that as the Chosen Race, Royal Priesthood, the Chosen Race referred to in Cardinal Bertoli’s letter and in that day’s second reading we have all been anointed as priests not just, “this fine body of men you

see before you”, indicating the clergy on the altar, “but by virtue of our Baptism we have all been given a share in the priesthood of Christ and called to exersize our priestly ministry according to our vocation in the Church.” As such all daily life becomes sanctified and a sacrifice to God. We are not only the ‘hearers’ of the Word of God, but the ‘proclaimers’ and the ‘doers’ of Christ.” And there, Bishop Ralph found himself reminded of the words attributed to St. Francis “Preach the gospel at all times. -- If necessary, use words.”

Bishop Ralph continued that we were “Each anointed as Kings, co-heirs to God’s Kingdom, a Kingdom of Truth and Light a Kingdom of Holiness and Grace, a Kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace.”

Bishop Ralph further stressed the way in which we should preach

when he spoke of ‘Jesus’s upside down world’ how we should lead a life of service, “in imitation of Him, we are charged to make the Kingdom happen now by washing one another’s feet in a spirit of service. This sharing in Christ’s three fold mission, begun in baptism, developed in confirmation and realized daily in the Eucharist.

At the end of every Eucharist the priest dismisses us and we freely respond, thanks be to God, this should be a thanks be to God that I can now take all that I have received in the Eucharist and share it with those whom I encounter. That is the simple and yet profound challenge for us as we begin a new century together as individuals, and as a diocesan family to live out ever more effectively the three-fold mission of Christ received in baptism.”

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

Upon this Rock’s on

moved among them sprinkling holy water over the congregation.

The Youth, who had been on a ‘Walk the Walk’ retreat, looked after the Ministry of the Word, giving the first and second reading, as well as the intersessions and bringing up the gifts. Their intense participation was notable, and we were mindful, that here was tomorrow’s Church in the making.

Bishop Ralph’s message underlined and emphasized the challenge to us to carry through Christ’s mission, referred to in the letter from the Holy Father.

He related a poignant story from post WWII Britain, where, in a bombed out church, there was a statue of Christ with His arms outstreatched, but both arms had been broken off in the devastation wreaked by the bomb. The statue stood like that for a long

17

Diocesan Centenary Celebrations

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

Photos The packed Cathedral at Saturday lunchtime for the Diocesan Celebrations. Denise Duo, takes part in the offertory procession. Mgr. Paul Bear reads the Letter from Cardinal Bertoli imparting the Holy Father’s Blessing, James Mifsud. Bishop Ralph gives the final blessing.

18

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Bishop Ralph announced that as Advent was the beginning of a new year in the Church, he would be inviting each of us to spend some time reflecting on the invitation and challenge to live out more effectively Christ’s three fold mission entrusted to

us at Baptism. To help us to do that a short questionnaire will be made available in the parishes, hopefully from next weekend.

“I invite you to take the questionnaire, ponder over the questions carefully, over the season of Advent, complete and return.

The findings will be collated and published in the New Year and hopefully your response will be a resource to help us move forward together as we struggle to live out ever more effectively that three-fold promise as Priest, as Prophet, as King”

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

Upon this Rock’s on

“The Mission is Ancient, but the ways of living it forever new.”

19

Telling the old, old story.

The Babe from Bethlehem Christmas shines a light on this darkest time of year...

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

Christmas Time again, and as usual, at this time of year, I find myself in reflective mood. The year began with an appallingly destructive earthquake in Haiti, decimating an already poor country. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake (stronger than Haiti) struck Chile in February and the resultant tsunami threatened a quarter of the globe. July’s monsoon rains inundated Pakistan with floods of biblical proportions leaving millions without shelter or livelihoods. With deluges that

defy description, floods resulted in China in August claiming lives and homes, leaving despair and suffering in their wake. October saw typhoon Megi batter the Far East as a powerful and widespread storm.

As I write, (October) Indonesia is once again reeling from an earthquake and tsunami, and a volcanic eruption is adding to fears for safety.

There is widespread cold and hunger aplenty, and it goes on, man’s inhumanity to man, manifest in conflicts, wars,

from the darkness giving a clear and uplifting message of hope and peace. “The son of man came to seek and save the lost”.

Luke, 19; 10.

Christmas shines a light on this darkest time of year, retelling the teaching of the Babe from Bethlehem, bringing hope in a time of creeping despair but it seems we never learn from the staggering message which came from a stable in Bethlehem; “Do not be afraid, for behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. And this will be a sign for you, you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger”. Luke, 8; 10. He was born in a stable to humble parents, his father Joseph being a carpenter, lived in a poor village in Nazareth and when he undertook his ministry,

NATURE PORT RECEPTION FACILITIES LTD

Key Services of ship’s waste, •Collection both ship generated and cargo related Sheriff Electrical Contractors Ltd.

Electrical Contractors Office 40/42 Cornwall’s Lane,

Tel: (350) 200 79353, Fax: (350) 200 74515 E-mail: sheriffgib@gibtelecom.net Fire Services Division 3 Cornwall’s Parade, Tel: (350) 200 40583, Fax: (350) 200 74515 E-mail: sherelec@gibtelecom.net

A. A. Sheriff (Wholesale) Ltd.

Retail 51 Engineer Lane, Tel: (350) 200 78065, Fax: (350) 200 74515 Wholesale Unit 12A, Watergardens, Tel: (350) 200 73083, Fax: (350) 200 40585 Planet Mobile Unit 12A, Watergardens, Tel: (350) 200 50063, Fax: (350) 200 40585 Offices 40/42 Cornwall’s Lane, Tel: (350) 200 40583, Fax: (350) 200 74515

E-mail: sheriffgib@gibtelecom.net Warehouse Unit 14, The New Harbours, Tel: (350) 200 41836, Fax: (350) 200 46344

E-mail: wisco@gibtelecom.net

20

hostage-taking, slavery, child abuse, and our world seems to be tottering on its foundations……. but…….there was good news too.

The arrival of Christmas in the wake of the heart warming rescue of the 33 Chilean miners, trapped 700 metres underground for 69 days is for me this year’s message of the triumph of life and love over dark adversity.

The angels’ song: “Peace on earth to men of goodwill.” rings out the message again and we need to listen. In this early 21st century we seem to have been suffering a crisis of humanism, our social structures seem so broken and peace and goodwill difficult to achieve. Deep in the cavern of that mine it was faith which sustained the miners and they gave witness, with thanks and praise, as they emerged

cleaning and de•Tank bunkering services services for •Consultancy the treatment of waste

of ship’s waste statistical •Treatment •Registering both ship generated and information for port cargo related

authorities

storage facility for •Tank storing waste or other

•Pollution prevention

products Tel: +350 200 73905 Tel: +350 200 45290 Fax: +200 41218 enquiries@naturegroup.gi

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

by Anne Mesilio He stressed the value of poverty.

Watching the rescued miners return to their modest homes in the Atacama Desert, known as the driest place on earth, I was struck by their poverty in this 21st century while we live in the most affluent society in human history. We call it progress, the comfort and ease, pleasures and leisures, food and drink we enjoy without a thought, well except to always want more, more, more. The Bible is full of praise for poverty, and if this teaching was true then, over 2,000 years ago, is it any less relevant today? This is a vital question and the answer creates a dilemma. Why? This year, 2010, has been declared the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, the aim being to raise awareness and inspire European citizens to engage with these important issues. My thoughts flew to the miners. Before the plight of their entrapment was broadcast around the world they lived obscure lives in the desert, making a living as best they could. Not only were they unknown to us, I would venture

to the rest of the country of Chile too. Their poverty set them apart as does living in poverty anywhere else. We are told that almost 84 million Europeans continued on page 30

TRAFALGAR PHARMACY

266 Main Street Gibraltar Tel 20075757

48-50 Main Street, Gibraltar. t: 200 71710

Upon this Rock’s on

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

21

A NEW VISION OF THE HUMAN PERSON

Have you ever picked up one of John Paul II’s writings only to give up?

P all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

erhaps you’ve waded through his difficult vocabulary for a time and chided yourself for not understanding better.

Or maybe you haven’t even attempted, knowing it was way beyond you. Well, take heart!

John Paul II is difficult to understand not because you’re dumb, but because you’re normal. He’s brilliant.

There are two other reasons why it’s hard to understand John Paul

22

II: First of all, he doesn’t write in a linear fashion. Most articles and books proceed in a linear way: they have a beginning, middle, and end, that progress in a straight line from thought to thought. But not John Paul II. His writings are more spiral.

He talks about something for a while, goes away from it to talk about something else, and then comes back to his original thought, only on a deeper level.

Instead of expecting John Paul

II to always say something new, it helps to realize he often says the same thing, but only deeper.

Secondly, and this is the most obvious reason, he invents new vocabulary and terms such as the unity of the two, the spousal meaning of the body, the feminine genius, and original solitude. Why isn’t John Paul II content with using traditional vocabulary?

Because he’s an innovative thinker - he goes where no man has gone before. As a result, he creates new language to speak about new concepts and especially a new vision of the human person. And that’s the purpose of this article: to provide an introduction to John Paul II’s language, especially in his language in his series of writing entitled ‘Theology of the Body.’

A = ALL

A - it ALL begins with “gift.”

God created the world as gift.

He created man and woman as gift. We are called to become gift. Why? Because God is Gift. The inner life of God is self-giving love: The Father pours himself out in total Gift to the Son, the Son pours himself out in total Gift to the Father, and the Holy Spirit bursts forth as the fruit of their total selfgiving love. If we can get this image of the Trinity inscribed in our minds, then it can be our translator every time we encounter the word “gift.”

And believe me, this word is everywhere. In fact, John Paul II’s favorite passage from all of Vatican II contains the word “gift”: “…man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of self.” (Gadium et Spes, No. 24). If John Paul II hadn’t been elected pope, this passage might have receded into oblivion.

Instead, he incorporates this passage into

almost every document with the hope that it will eventually find its way into everyday Catholic conversation.

But how are we to understand this phrase, “sincere gift of self”? By going back to the Trinity and using it as our translator. We are called to make a sincere gift of self in the same way as the Father and Son - in a way that is total, complete, holds nothing back, and bursts forth in fruitfulness.

We can also see this gift of self on the cross for there Jesus’ eternal gift of self to the Father is made visible for our eyes to see. His offering of self on the cross is total, complete, holds nothing back, and bursts forth in spiritual fruitfulness. This is the gift of self we are called to imitate.

While John Paul II was quite fond of the phrase “sincere gift of self,” frequently he used his short-hand version: gift.

When speaking about the way we mirror God’s image in the world, he says: “To say that man is created in the image and likeness of God means that man is called to exist ‘for’ others, to become a gift.” (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, No. 7) When he describes a woman’s vocation to motherhood, he says: “Motherhood is linked to the personal structure of the woman and the personal dimension of the gift.” (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, No. 18) And when he describes Adam and Eve’s motivation for disobeying God he says: “This motivation clearly implies casting doubt on the Gift and on Love, from which creation takes its origin as gift.” (Theology of the Body, April 30, 1980) In other words, Adam and Eve questioned what was in the Father’s heart, whether the Father’s interior life was truly one of total self donation or whether he was motivated by the desire to withhold something

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Artwork: Michael Cvetanovich

The ABC’s of Pope Theology of the Body

y

by Katrina J. Zeno (reprinted with permission)

John Paul II’s good from them.

“Gift,” then, for John Paul II, is his master key. If we understand it, we can unlock John Paul II’s vision of the human person and access one of the greatest treasures of modern history.

B = BODY

repeated terms: the spousal meaning of the body. What’s the translation of that phrase?

The body is made for union.

The body is made for a sincere gift of self. Here’s the way I’ve committed it to memory. “We’re made from one nature, embodied in two ways, for the purpose of union and communion through a sincere and fruitful gift of self.”

The human person isn’t created just to be a doctor, lawyer, or pro football player, but to live a spousal life, a life of union.

C=

P.T.O.

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

Upon this Rock’s on

While ALL of John Paul II’s thinking begins with gift, this gift is expressed through the BODY. In many cultures, the body is either idolized or ignored, but John Paul II wants neither. For John Paul II, the body is sacramental - it’s a visible expression of an invisible reality. Just as we would never dream of saying, “Let’s do away with the bread and wine so that we can receive Jesus directly,” so we can never say, “Let’s do away with the body so we can image God directly.” It doesn’t work that way.

Here’s how John Paul II says it: “The body…and only the body is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It has been created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden from eternity in God, and thus to be a sign of it.”

(Theology of the Body, Feb. 20, 1980) What is this mystery hidden in God, the mystery that we can’t see? It is the self-giving love of the Trinity. We can’t see the Father loving the Son or vice-versa, nor can we see the Holy Spirit bursting forth as their mutual love. So then how does the human body make God’s self-giving love visible in the world? It makes it visible by being created as male and female.

For John Paul II, gender is not accidental. Neither is it merely

cultural.

God didn’t create the body as an embarrassing afterthought to cover the soul. No, gender and body are purposeful. They teach us about the mystery of God. In the second account of creation (Genesis 2), God creates Adam from the clay of the ground and blows into him the breath of life.

John Paul II says this teaches us that the human person is both matter (body) and spirit (soul).

What’s more, Eve is described as being made from the side of Adam. Genesis is showing us that male and female are from the same nature, from the same body. Men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus.

They share the same humanity.

This means there is a deep and original unity between the two.

For John Paul II, this establishes the absolute equality of men and women. We are equal because we share the same nature. However, equality does not mean sameness. Rather, this one nature takes on flesh in two ways, as male and female.

John Paul II has a poetic way of describing this moment of unity and distinction: “One can conclude that man (‘Adam’) falls into that ‘torpor’ [sleep] in order to wake up as ‘male’ (is) and ‘female’ (issah).”

(Theology of the Body, Nov. 7, 1979) Now things get exciting! Since this one nature is em-bodied in two ways, a new possibility exists - the possibility of union and communion.

This is precisely what the next verse

tells us: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and unite to his wife and the two shall be one flesh.”

(Genesis 2:24) The body is made for union! It has a spousal meaning! The body is not just a miscellaneous collection of atoms and molecules that provide digestion, a pumping heart, and the mechanics for Tiger Woods to shoot 10 under par. The body is made for union, and not just genital union, but personal union.

This brings us to one of John Paul II’s most original and oft-

23

A NEW VISION OF THE HUMAN PERSON

The ABC’s of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body

C=Communion

of persons. He is one nature, three persons.

We, as human beings, are no longer just one (“adam”), but two. We are one nature embodied in two ways as male and female so we can live a communion of persons in imitation of the Trinity.

What does this communion of persons look like? It is the mutual gift of self. John Paul II writes: “Communion of persons means living in a reciprocal ‘for,’ in a relationship of reciprocal gift.” (Theology of the Body, Jan. 9, 1980) In fact, John Paul II says, we can’t discover our humanity on our own.

The reason Adam needed a helper wasn’t to clean and cook and do his laundry. It was to help him discover his own humanity, to be a sincere gift of self to him so that he could discover his own capacity for making a sincere gift of self to God and others.

We all need a “helper” – we all need someone to help us discover the spousal meaning of our body. This can either be a parent, sibling, friend, or spouse who makes a gift of self to us while at the same time accepting and affirming us as a unique person. When this affirmation, acceptance, and gift of self goes both ways (i.e., is reciprocal), a communion of persons is

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

If ALL of John Paul II’s thought begins with gift, and that gift is expressed humanly through the BODY, then what is the purpose of that gift? The answer is “C” – COMMUNION. The gift of self through the body is always directed toward union and communion – with God, others, and even creation. This is the way it was “in the beginning,” before original sin, and the way it should be for us.

John Paul II says:

“The complete and definitive creation of ‘man’…expresses itself in giving life to the “communio personarum” [communion of persons] that man and woman form.”

(Theology of the Body, Nov. 14, 1979) In other words, we image God not so much when we are alone, but when we are in communion.

While these words may seem self-evident, we shouldn’t fly by them too quickly. We live in an individualistic society. The Olympic measuring rod for personhood is self-sufficiency and self-reliance. We win the gold and everyone else’s applause if we can do it on our own.

That’s not the John Paul II’s mindset, nor the Christian one. The radical new revelation about God in the New Testament was that God was no longer just one (a solitude) but three – a Trinity. God is a communion

24

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

established.

Note that John Paul II doesn’t say that marriage, sexual intercourse, or romance creates the communion of persons. It is the reciprocal giving and acceptance of each other as gift.

This communion of persons is always spousal (for the purpose of union) but this is different from being sexual.

Obviously, marriage is designed

by God to be a communion of persons but so is the family, the neighborhood, the work place, and especially the Church. In

by Katrina J. Zeno (reprinted with permission) each of these contexts, we make a sincere gift of self so that others can discover their own capacity to make a sincere gift of self to God and others.

The ABCs Applied Now that we understand the pope’s ABCs, we can create a brief glossary of terms to better understand his language. You might want to print it out, keep it by your bookshelf or night stand, and use it to remind you to make a more complete gift of self to God and others.

About the Author

Katrina J. Zeno is cofoundress of Women of the Third Millennium and the coordinator of the John Paul II Resource Center for Theology of the Body and Culture in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona.

She is the author of three books and an international speaker on the dignity and vocation of women, the theology of the body, chastity formation, marriage and the Eucharist, and prayer. Her web site is www.wttm.org.

Upon this Rock’s on

Gibraltar Diocesan CRIB COMPETITION 2010

Glossary of Terms

• Communio personarum = the communion of persons brought about through mutual self-giving.

• Eschatological vocation = the ultimate purpose of our lives, which is to be united to God, body and soul, in a complete and total gift of self for eternity.

• Feminine genius (or genius of woman) = the way a woman makes a feminine gift of self in all her fullness and originality as God intended her to be from the beginning.

• In the beginning = God’s design before original sin.

• Spousal meaning of the body = a sincere gift of self for the purpose of union.

• Original solitude = Adam’s initial experience of being alone based on the fact that he is different from the rest of creation.

• Original nakedness/innocence = Adam and Eve were naked and knew no shame because when they looked at each other’s bodies, they saw the spousal meaning of the body (i.e., that the body was created to make a sincere gift of self for the purpose of union).

• Original unity of man and woman (or “unity of the two”) = male and female share a profound unity because they share the same nature, they are made from the same body.

• Self-donation = another way of saying “sincere gift of self.”

• Spiritual motherhood = nurturing the emotional, moral, cultural, and spiritual life of another.

• Theology of the body = the human body reveals something about the mystery of God. • whole/full/complete = John Paul II’s shorthand way of evoking the full spectrum of reality, including both the visible and invisible, and Jesus Christ as the meaning, source, and redeemer of all history.

Marriage Care Gibraltar Counselling Service Tel: 20071717

ENTRIES ARE INVITED FROM HOMES, SCHOOLS and PLACES OF WORK. THREE TROPHIES WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE BEST ENTRIES. JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE on MONDAY 13th DEC. ENTRY FEE - £5.00.

A New Dimension in Your Marriage

For further information contact: Eliott & Macu Dobinson T: 20079586 or 58008309 Ernest & Jane Povedano T: 20070976 or 54007961

Winners will be notified and Presentation of Prizes will be held at St Theresa’s Church during the Christmas Eve Children’s Mass on Friday 24th December 2010 at 5.00pm Schools Entry Forms will be Emailed or Faxed to all Schools and have to be returned by Friday 10th Dec. 2010 Homes and Places of Work Entry Forms can be obtained from the Cathedral Bookshop and returned by Friday 10th Dec. 2010

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

25

Chritian Family Movement

2011 Wedding Strong marriages form the foundations of our community.

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

O

26

nce again the Christian Family Movement is organising the annual Wedding Anniversary Celebrations.

Couples celebrating their 25th , 40th, 50th or 60th wedding anniversary in 2010 are invited to join in this celebration and renew their vows.

The celebration will be held at the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned on Friday 28th January 2011 at 7.30 p.m. followed by refreshments at the Catholic Community Centre.

Up to four family members are also invited.

Cut out (or photocopy if you prefer) the form below and hand it in to the Catholic Bookshop next to the Cathedral not

later than the 14th January. (Forms will also be available at the Catholic Bookshop.)

Alternatively contact Denise on 57021000 after 1.00 p.m. or John on 57256000.

Please help us foster the institution of marriage and good family values by encouraging entitled couples to participate and prove to be testament to the fact that life-long Marriage is indeed possible with the help of God.

For Celebration Participants:

If you are going to send in the form opposite, please keep the following information to hand: A reception will be held at the Catholic Community Centre after the Church Service Celebration and couples are cordially invited to attend, along with four guest only, this is due to the limited space available.

Couples should arrive at the Cathedral on the 28th January no later than 7.15 pm. For further information or queries contact Denise Duo on Home:200 43386 Mob: 57021000 e-mail; duos@ gibtelecom.net

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Forthcoming Events

g Anniversary Celebrations

25th, 40th, 50th & 60th wedding Anniversary Celebrations at Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned on 28th January 2011 at 7.30 pm Mr. & Mrs.: ________________________________________________ Forenames: Husband _ __________________________________

Upon this Rock’s on

CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENT

Forenames: Wife_ __________________________________________ NeĂŠ: __________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ _ _____________________________________________________ e-mail: ____________________________________________________ Tel. No. : Home_________________________________________ Tel. No. Work ______________________________________________ Mobile_ _______________________________________________ Date of Marriage : _________________________________________ Church:_______________________________________________

N.B. If marriage took place outside Gibraltar please produce a copy of the marriage Certificate when handing in this form This form should be handed in at the Cathedral bookshop as soon as possible and not later than Friday 14th January You can e-mail above detail/form to: duos@gibtelecom.net

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

27

Women’s Health

Dr Monique Risso

Achieving Pregnancy

Dr. Monique Risso

with NaProTechnology

I

TM

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

nfertility is the symptom of an underlying cause. It can be caused by one or various pathologies. In order to treat infertility one has to get to the root of the cause.

This is what NaPro Technology™ offers and the results are exciting and promising.

NaProTECHNOLOGY Thomas W. Hilgers, M.D., director of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction in Omaha, Nebraska, developed NaPro Technology™ and has dedicated his medical career to this research. “Natural Procreative Technology”, is a holistic medical evaluation and treatment for gynaecologic and reproductive health abnormalities.Couples are first taught how to chart the woman’s fer-

tility signs (The Creighton Model FertilityCare System™ or CrMS).

The information charted by the couple, allows the Doctor who is trained in CrMS and NaProTechnology™, to conduct a more thorough evaluation of the fertility cycle to identify abnormal menstrual bleeding patterns, poor cervical mucus flow and subtle hormonal deficiencies that are often not detected by routine gynaecologic assessment.

Treatment The goal is to return the woman’s biological markers on the fertility chart to normal and an optimum fertility potential for the couple.

NaProTechnology™ uses many medications that are widely used in other fertility programmes, but the precise timing and monitoring of treatment using the CrMS charting system is unique toNaProTechnology™. When fertility is restored to its optimum function, conception can occur anywhere from the first to the twelfth effective cycle of treatment. On average couples complete fertility evaluation and treatment between 18 to 24 months after the initial medical consultation, or sooner if conception occurs. Furthermore, couples that are at increased risk of miscarriage can usually be identified and treated even before they have their first pregnancy loss.

NaPro Technology™ versus Other Infertility Treatment NaPro Technology™ unlike the other infertility treatments gets to the root of the underlying medical condition causing the infertility rather than overriding the cause to enable pregnancy. It assists the couple in achieving pregnancy whilst maintaining the natural acts of procreation. If the treatment programme is unsuccessful, research into the unknown cause is undertaken. If medically unsuccessful, the programme will assist family building by being supportive of adoption.

The diagram opposite shows a comparison made of the “per woman” pregnancy rates between the NaPro Technology™ approach and In

28

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This study shows that women treated with NaPro Technology™ have statistically significantly higher pregnancy rates than patients with similar conditions treated with IVF. In this study 12 effective cycles of treatment with NaProTechnology™ were compared with one attempt of IVF. Repeated attempts at IVF will have higher live birth rates.

By knowing their fertile days, married couples can use Fertility Focused Intercourse to achieve pregnancy. 20-40% of couples with infertility have achieved pregnancy by just using the CrMS. The earlier problems are identified and treated, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.

The Goals of NaProTECHNOLOGY™ in Infertility The NaProTECHNOLOGY™ approach to the infertile couple has the following goals: • It works towards assessing the underlying causes of the reproductive abnormality.

• It allows for the treatment of these underlying causes.

• It assists the couple in achieving pregnancy while maintaining the natural acts of procreation.

• If the treatment program is unsuccessful, research into the unknown causes is undertaken.

• If medically unsuccessful, the program will assist with successful family building by being supportive of adoption.

The Creighton Model System™ and NaPro Technology™ are offered by Dr Monique Risso at the Valmar Clinic. For an appointment or further information please call +350 200 78202 or email: mrissofertilityspice@hotmail.co.uk

Upon this Rock’s on

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

29

Telling the old, old story.

by Anne Mesilio

The Babe from Bethlehem lives, so a little soul searching is called for here. The Babe from Bethlehem “being rich, became poor for our sake�, Cor. 8; 9.

Are we being asked to practise poverty while trying to reduce it? The answer must be yes and in accepting this we must be wary of self deception and not let our plentiful lifestyles make us less sensitive to the needs of others. Charity, the practice of benevolent giving, was much practised in the aftermath of all the natural disasters enumerated at the beginning of this article, for who could not be moved to compassion for the human suffering our television screens brought to us daily. Poverty begets charity and the practice of this loving kindness can be the first step towards helping alleviate destitution, need and

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu

continued from page 21 live at the risk of poverty, 19 million of which are children which means they face insecurity and must go without what most people take for granted. Most at risk are single parent families, elderly people, disabled people, those living in poor housing, the homeless, those with reduced access to healthcare, education, training, in financial debt, and with limited access to modern technology, for instance the Internet. Poverty and social exclusion go hand in glove and it is not just the miners who come to mind. Ethnic minorities, immigrants, and asylum seekers are not words that lend themselves to social inclusion.

I have no problem with making the world a better place for all of us to live full and rewarding

want for our fellow human beings. It must be possible to actively participate in the fight against poverty and social exclusion and it is a fundamental right that everyone has a secure roof over their heads, be free from domestic violence, free from alcohol and drug abuse, have access to employment and practical support so they can lead meaningful lives. The EU wants to better understand how best to create a more inclusive society. How can you help?

Like the miners gave witness to God in their darkest hour we need to be witnesses for those who live in poverty.

Anyone can experience poverty at any time in life, maybe you

have had to cope with limited lifestyle choices at one time?

Are you aware of a neighbour, friend, family member who may have to cope with bereavement, divorce, illness, resulting in changes to lifestyles, often bringing loneliness and feelings of exclusion, all magnified at weekends and holidays. We need to be united in goodwill wherever we gather this Christmas. It is one of the most important times of the year for Christians when the story of the Babe from Bethlehem is retold and we are given a unique opportunity to ponder the meaning of being human and learn to become one with each other.

AI International Couriers Ltd 11 Engineer Lane P.O. Box 532 Gibraltar Tel: 200 73775 Fax: 200 74389

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

30

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s

Obituary from the Catholic Times 24.10.2010

by Mike Brufal

Gibraltar mourns loss of beloved ‘Fr. Charles’ being published on the May 30, 1969 which was the feast day of Our lady of Europe.

Ten years later Pope John Paul II approved that Our Lady of Europe should be the patroness of Gibraltar and transferred her feast day to May 5, Europe Day. Last month he attended the European Marian Network annual conference, which was being held in Gibraltar for the first time. He went on to give a replica of the Shrine’s statue of Our Lady of Europe to Pope John Paul II

during a diocesan pilgrimage to Rome, while others were subsequently sent to Churches associated with Gibraltarian evacuees during World War II in Fulham, Ballymena, Madeira and Jamaica.

His one unfulfilled wish was to have taken part in the diocesan centenary celebrations which take place November 15-20 this year.

Fr Charles is survived by his brother and sister and many nephews and nieces.

NEW YEAR’S SPECIALS

Hotel DUQUE DE NAJERA 4* ROTA (Cadiz) From 31/12/2010 to 01/01/2011

Final Price fo 2 Persons for 1 night £275.00

Upon this Rock’s on

Our humble friend - known to all as ‘Fr Charles’, the Bishop was loved by all Gibraltarians and by people of all faiths.

GIBRALTAR has lost a great champion and pastor with the death on October 1 of Mgr Charles Caruana, Bishop Emeritus of Gibraltar, at the age of 77.

During his 12 years as bishop he was known on the Rock as a good shepherd, and a dedicated friend of the unfortunate.

No supplicant would be turned away empty-handed. Most of the sums of money he gave away came from his wallet and not the cathedral poor box.

His wisdom was legendary and many in Gibraltar, regardless of religious faith, would approach

him for advice and guidance.

He formed close and lasting relationships with the Jewish and Muslim communities, with both the Iman and the leader of the Jewish community present at his funeral, as were Gibraltar’s Governor and Chief Minister.

Within the wider Catholic Church he was accorded the honour of being an observer to both the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and that of the Spanish bishops.

He was also a fervent supporter of Christian unity.

‘Fr Charles’ rather than ‘My Lord’ was his preferred mode of address and this showed his humility and determination not to be seen as superior to any members of his flock.

Above all, Fr Caruana was a devotee of Our Lady of Europe and inaugurated huge celebrations last year to mark the 700th anniversary of the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe, which stands at Europa Point overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.

His previous lobbying resulted in the Preamble to the Constitution

Incl. Accommodation, Gala Dinner with special menu, Open Bar till 3am and Breakfast. Price based on double room. (Child discount available)

RIU PUERTO MARINA 4*

BENALMADENA (Malaga) From 31/12/2010 to 02/01/2011 Final Price fo 2 Persons for 2 nights £360.00

Incl. Accommodation, New Years Dinner, Half board. Price based on double room. (Child discount available)

ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS From Malaga

Offer from May to July 2011 for 7 nights Western mediteranean Itinerary: Malaga, Valencia, Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Ajaccio, Malaga

Prices from £523.00(Based on double) For all your travel requirements please contact us on + 350 200 76151, visit us at 241 Main Street or send an email: rachelmacedo@exchangetravel.com or anamariaruiz@exchangetravel.com

PEACE AND JOY TO ALL MANKIND

31

all round the world www.uponthisrock.eu 32

W e W i s h yo u a joy f u l c h r i s tma s