1
DEAR FRIENDS...
Explaining the Fear What does fear have to do with the kingdom of God?
ear is a powerful force. It can lead us to panic and flight or it can spur us to faith and action. The fear of God is the antidote to the fear of losing one’s life. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.O fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no want! Come, O sons, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. (Psalm 34:4,9,11) What is godly fear? It is reverence for the One who made us in love and who sustains us in mercy and kindness. The greatest injury or loss which we can experience is not physical but spiritual – the loss of
one’s soul to the power of hell. A healthy fear of God leads to spiritual maturity, wisdom and right judgment and it frees us from the tyranny of sinful pride, cowardice – especially in the face of evil, and spiritual deception. Do you trust in God’s grace and mercy and submit to his word? When Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God he met opposition and hostility. He tells his disciples that they must expect the same treatment if they are to live and to proclaim the reign of God. There is both a warning and a privilege in his statement. Just as Jesus had to carry his cross, so the disciples must carry their
cross and not try to evade it. To suffer for the faith is to share in the work of Christ. As one hymn states: Lift high the Cross of Christ! Tread where his feet have trod. The Holy Spirit gives us power and grace to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Do you trust in God’s grace to carry your cross for Jesus’ sake? “Lord Jesus, it is my joy and privilege to be your disciple. Give me strength and courage to bear any hardship and suffering which may come my way in your service. May I witness to others the joy of the gospel.” God Bless You Fr Stuart
2
of God
Upon this Rock magazine is published by EuropeAxess Media, Gibraltar. Editor Fr. Stuart Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.eu Production Editor: A. Sargent angela@europeaxess.com Cover: Children who have made their First Holy Communiion this year take up several rows at he front of the Corpus Christi Mass A.Sargent
To advertise: This magazine is hand delivered to homes, churches, hospitals and many businesses around Gibraltar every month. To discuss your advertising requirements call Tel: 200 79335. Church Groups or Charities: If you would like to have an article considered for publication, please send it by e-mail to the production editor at the address above. Enquire for details of sending high resolution digital images to illustrate your article. 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.
3
700 years of devotion to Our Lady of Europe
The Golden
A precious and sacred ornament made of pure gold by skilled artificers, which the popes have been accustomed for centuries to bless each year, and occasionally confer upon illustrious churches and sanctuaries as a token of special reverence and devotion.
T
he significations of the rose and Lætare Sunday (fourth of Lent), the day on which it is blessed, so blend that the Sunday is oftentimes called Rose Sunday, and rose-coloured vestments, altar and throne and chapel draperies (signs of hope and joy) are substituted for the penitential purple during the solemn function. The Church on this Sunday bids her children who have been so far engaged in prayer, fasting and other penitential works, as also in serious meditation upon the malice of sin and the terrible punishment exacted on account of it, to look up and beyond Calvary and see in the first rays of the Easter sun, the risen Christ, Who brings them redemption, and “Rejoice”. The golden flower and its shining splendour show forth Christ and His Kingly Majesty, Who is heralded by the prophet as “the
4
flower of the field and the lily of the valleys”; its fragrance shows the sweet odour of Christ which should be widely diffused by His faithful followers (Pope Leo XIII, Acta, vol. VI, 104); and the thorns and red tint tell of His Passion according to Isaiah 63:2: “Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress?” The Golden Rose is also conferred upon Catholic kings or queens, princes or princesses, renowned generals or other distinguished personages, upon governments or cities conspicuous for their Catholic spirit and loyalty to the Holy See, as a mark of esteem and paternal affection. Prior to the pontificate of Sixtus IV (1471-84) it consisted of a simple and single rose made of pure gold and slightly tinted with red. Pope Sixtus IV substituted in place of the single rose a thorny branch with leaves and many roses (a half-score and sometimes more), the largest of which sprang from the top of the branch and the smaller ones clustered naturally around it. In the centre of the principal rose was a tiny cup with a perforated cover, into which the pope, when he blessed the rose, poured the musk and balsam. The whole ornament was of pure gold. The Sixtine design has been maintained; but it has varied as to decoration, size, weight, and value. Originally it was little over six inches in height, and was easily carried in
Rose
the left hand of the pope, whilst with his right he blessed the multitude through which he passed in procession from the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (in Rome) to the Lateran Palace. Afterwards, and especially when a vase and large pedestal became part of the ornament, it required a robust cleric to carry it, who preceded the papal cross in the procession. The value of the Rose varied according to the munificence of the pontiffs or the economical circumstances of the times. Father Baldassari, S.J. (De Rosa Mediana, p. 190) says that the rose conferred about the year 1650 cost five hundred dollars. The two roses sent by Alexander VII were valued at eight and twelve hundred dollars respectively. Clement IX sent the Queen of France one costing twelve hundred dollars, the gold alone used weighing eight pounds. The workmanship on this rose was exceedingly fine, for which the artificer received three hundred dollars. The custom of giving the rose
Bishop Caruana accepts the Golden Rose for the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe
supplanted the ancient practice of sending to Catholic rulers the Golden Keys from St. Peter’s Confessional, a custom introduced either by St. Gregory II (716) or St. Gregory III (740). A certain analogy exists between the rose and the keys, inasmuch as both are of pure gold blessed and bestowed by the Vicar of Christ upon illustrious children of the Church, and further, both partake somewhat of the nature of a reliquary -- the rose containing musk and balsam, the keys filings from the Chair of St. Pe-
ter. The exact date of the institution of the rose is unknown. According to some it is anterior to Charlemagne (742-814), according to others it had its origin at the end of the twelfth century. It is certain, however, that it antedates the year 1050, since Pope Leo IX (1051) speaks of the rose as of an ancient institution at his time. The blessing of the rose was not coeval with its institution. It was introduced to render the ceremony more solemn and induce greater reverence for it on
the part of the recipient. Pope Benedict XIV attests that the ceremony of blessing had its origin in the beginning of the fifteen or at the end of the fourteenth century. The pope blesses the rose every year, but it is not always a new and different rose; the old one is used until it has been given away. If there is any hierarchy to be discerned from the number of roses inclueded in the work of art readers may find it of interest that among the principal churches to which the rose has been presented are St. Peter’s (five roses), St. John Lateran (four roses -- according to some two of the four were given to the basilica proper and two to the chapel called Sancta Sanctorum), St. Mary Major (two roses), St. Mary sopra Minerva (one rose), and St. Anthony of the Portuguese (one rose). All these roses have been lost. The sacred ornament presented to our Shrine by the Holy Father has three roses. This article has been edited from the encyclopedia “New Advent” editor, Kevin Knight, the full piece can be found at newadvent.org.
WAT E R F R O N T restaurant
The Grill is open 7 nights a week Fresh Fish including Tuna, Sardines, Thai Jumbo Prawns, Dorada and Sea Bass. In House Aged T-bone, Rib-eye and Sirloin, with intense flavours and unsurpassed succulence.
We are open 7 days a week, from 9 in the morning to late at night. Queensway Quay Marina Reservations t: 200 45666 email: waterfrontrestaurant@gmail.com www.gibwaterfront.com
5
Update from a local charity
Children “cannot be left crying in the wilderness of unhappiness, pain, anxiety or suffering”.
I
t is a rather novel experience to quote oneself. I wrote this as part of an article on the launch of Childline in Gibraltar three years ago since June. (Upon this Rock, Aug. 2006). Its aim was to provide a service to children in Gibraltar who may need to talk to someone, in confidence, outside the family. A telephone helpline is seen as a vital means to help a child seek protection and help through a situation which may be frightening or confusing. It is essential to understand that the person(s) answering the phone, which is a free non traceable number, have been especially trained to deal with calls in a (modern parlance) ‘user friendly’ way, as well as in an impartial and non judgemental manner. The caller will really be listened to and no sides will be taken. To keep abreast of progress over the past three years I went along
Anne Mesilio
TEL: 8008
Three Years
for a chat with Caroline Olivero, Lead Manager, who has a background in Youth and Community work. Her appointment as the first full time member of staff has enabled Childline to increase its involvement with schools and youth groups. “After three years in operation, experience has proved that there is a definite requirement for the work Childline is doing in Gibraltar”. Ok, so there is more to it than the actual helpline? Indeed yes as I was about to discover. Caroline’s dynamic approach was palpable as she explained firstly that the phone lines are manned from 6pm to 10pm, 365 days a year with 45 volunteers at present; though they need at least 60 to adequately meet the demand. Helpline volunteers work an average of two shifts a month with another team member. “There are many problems facing children and young people today and its all about building up a relationship of trust”. I wondered what sorts of problems are dealt with and it appears that bullying is one of them. School days and bullying seem to go together, is not new, or acceptable, and thankfully there is a more open approach to this scourge these days. Re-
cent research by Andrea Sehreir, PhD. Warwick Medical School, UK, has found that “Childhood bullying may increase the risk of mental disorders in adults who are victimized as children”. Bullying is defined as negative actions by one or more persons with the intention to hurt. This form of abuse, in an unfortunate reflection on modern society, is prevalent on the internet. Cyber bullying, when internet, mobiles or other devices are used to post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person is unacceptable, and has to be
6
a gross violation of trust. This should be treated with Zero tolerance. A call to childline may be very helpful when there is tension at home caused by separation, divorce, unemployment, alcohol/ drug abuse, illness etc and these situations are a cause of great anxiety and unhappiness in children. Caroline explained how the organisation has consolidated and grown and continues to reach out. A new web site was launched in March, a ‘Blue Day’ was held in schools where stu-
of Childline in Gibraltar. dents wore blue and over £4000 was raised. The “FLIP” (Future Leaders in Philanthropy) project was launched and two students have undertaken the task of researching Childline in Gibraltar from an objective perspective. A free teenager’s magazine is distributed free to schools dealing with a range of topical issues, e.g. the next one will deal with cyber bullying. Caroline went on, “Though we have been working with schools we want to further this by establishing a programme of outreach in schools and youth groups
in the organisation. Students will work to produce a short promotional film for Childline, which will also help develop multi media skills. While all of this has a rather breath taking feel to it, the need to fund raise is all important and essential to maintain the service. “We are reliant on our own efforts for this and we are not connected with childline UK”. There is a need for new Helpline volunteers and the urgency of acquiring new permanent premises is always foremost. This helps to provide the continuity and qual-
which adapts to children’s development as they grow up”. I was looking a bit quizzical so she explained, “we notice that patterns emerge from issues in Helpline and it seems appropriate to provide information and advice to children in schools”. There is more; it is hoped to research the implementation of an e-mail service and texting facilities for Helpline in order to be more accessible to young people. Over the summer months there are plans to run a student programme to encourage the use of skills and time in a positive way
7
ity of care that has become the hallmark of the organisation.
For further information on ways to help, contact; www.childline.gi or email; info@childline.gi or telephone; 20043508.
700 years of devotion to Our Lady of Europe
Youth Symphony Orche An Evening of Orchestral Music at St. Theresa’s Parish Church
A
ttendees to the concert held at 9.00p.m. on Friday 29th May had the opportunity to witness an impressive young orchestra in full swing. The concert, one of many events marking the 700-year jubilee of Our Lady of Europe in Gibraltar, was a wonderful occasion in which youth, music and faith came together for a joyous celebration. I had the opportunity to enjoy the concert from the platform situated at the back of the church, where the raised position offered me a great view of the orchestra, and a wonderful aural reference too. The body of musicians which
were the performers for the night was comprised of members of the Jugend Sinfonie Orchester St. Georgen-Furtwangen (Young Symphony Orchestra, St. Georgen, Black Forest, Germany) and the German School in Marbella Malaga known as Colegio Alemán “Juan Hoffmann”; their conductor was Michael Berner. Together, they formed a grand symphony orchestra which made its strong presence felt from the very beginning. The concertino (leader of the first violins) stood up gracefully, and got her ‘A natural’ from the oboe (as is customary). The tuning of the whole orchestra ensued, followed by those usual few moments of si-
lence which are full of stored expectation; magical moments for both audience and musicians. The evening’s musical programme consisted of: Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony Number 1 in C minor, Opus 11 (First Movement); Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances - Suite II, Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia, Opus 26, and Friedrich Smetana’s Die Moldau. The first piece was Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 1 in C minor (First Movement, Allegro di molto) - a work that the composer finished at the tender age of 15 on the 31st March 1824. We got only one movement from this four-movement symphony,
8
but what a movement! An impressive dynamic range from the orchestra, and a passionate performance; the tempestuous mood of the piece was well-captured. There were also lovely woodwind punctuations, and plenty of ravishing diminished harmony. Next came Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances - Suite No. 2 dating from 1924; a four-movement work based on Renaissance pieces for arch lute, lute, and viol, and also incorporating an instrumental aria. The first movement certainly brought the listeners back to the Renaissance period in an instant; some wonderful pizzicato passages emulating lutes and arch lutes. The second
Francis Imossi
estra from Black Forest movement, a folk dance, showcased powerful high strings, and loud horns, contributing to a genuine rustic feel. The third movement - the aria - was full of lush, well-sustained harmonies, and the 18-strong violin section provided great aural interest. In the fourth and last movement, the violins again were interesting to hear as they executed their playful syncopations with precision. The harpsichord and harp were also quite prominent, and there was some beautiful woodwind counterpoint. After a succession of interesting timbral pairings, among them flutes and harp, and harpsichord and plucked violins, the work concluded with a boisterous section, timpani and all. After the customary interval, we were treated to Finlandia, a symphonic tone poem composed by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Focused brass hits heralded the start of the piece. The dark opening, with very loud dynamic level and tumultuous feel, prompted me to think that this music would have borne sturdy competition to any rock concert- quite boisterous! There was a constant urgency and motive force in tremolo movement, whether from the timpani or from alternating parts of the bowed strings section. The music then settled for the ‘Finlandia Hymn’, which is the calm last part of the work. The storm had passed and calm prevailed. And from one symphonic poem, we went onto another: the last piece on the programme was Smetana’s Die Moldau (or The Moldau). Also known as Vltava,
named after the Bohemian river which was the inspiration for the piece, Die Moldau features what is arguably the most famous of all of Smetana’s melodies (which is itself based on an Italian renaissance folk song), and is in the key of E minor. Lasting roughly about 12 minutes, this work was composed in just 18 days, and forms part of a larger work, called Má Vlast (literally translated as My Fatherland). Die Moldau is an excellent example of tone painting; like the piece Finlandia, it exhibits the values of nationalistic music that were in vogue in the latter part of the nineteenth century, and takes the listener on a journey along the tributary’s course - from its source in the Bohemian Forest, to its fusion with the river Elbe. The orchestra’s interpretation of this difficult piece was thoroughly commendable; for me the highlights were: 1) the wonderful interplay between instrumental parts at the beginning of the piece (whose thinly-textured mutual interjections evoke the start of the river); and, 2) the moments of utter magic in the high register of the upper bowed strings. I should mention that the young musicians showed great poise throughout the performance, some of them probably already seasoned performers even though still in their earlyto-mid teens. The programmed concert now ended, the continued applause of the audience was rewarded with an encore – the final section from Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1., which readers may also recognize as the music to the song (with lyrics by Arthur Benson) ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, traditionally performed each year on the Last Night of the Proms. This piece was, as with all the others previously, expertly performed, and the only regret I have is that a longer version was not played.
With this uplifting march music – a good send-off - a beautiful night of orchestral music came to a close, but not before the musicians had received their welldeserved standing ovation. Public concerts such as this one held at St. Theresa’s Church will, almost invariably, be an enriching encounter with the wonders of live classical music as they unfold before one’s very eyes and ears. I would like to suggest to those who think that they
9
don’t understand classical music, that they dive in at the next opportunity they have to go to a classical concert – I have a theory that good music is universally understood.
Faith and Light Community
A Mother’s Testimony Me llamo Isabel y me gustarfa contaros a vosotros una parte de mi vida. Yo naci en Casares en el ano 1924. Mi vida no fue una vida como debía ser para mi niñez, tampoco lo fue en mi juventud o cuando ya me hice mujer. La vida de esos día era de trabajar muy duro en el campo simplemente para sobrevivir como una familia normal. De normal no había nada porque a mis 12 anos comenzó la guerrá civil. La lucha para sobrevivir de antes no era nada comparado a lo que se sufriá en esos anos de guerrá. Nos pasábamos días y noche andando sin rumbo, nos persegufan donde fueramos y nos maltrataban fuéramos de la banda que fueranos, una cosa que yo no entendía a mis 12 anos. Durante
esta guerrá tan horrible fusilaron a mi padre simplemente por estar en un mal sitio en un mal dia. Despues de unos anos penosos término la guerrá civil y se vuelve a tratar de reconstruir nuestras vidas. Una cosa imposible porque hablamos perdido todo, no teníamos casa, la familia separada y muchos más desastres. Los anos pasaron y en ano 1944 conocí al hombre que luego fue mi marido. El se llamaba Antonio. Nos casamos en el ano 1946 y la vida nos fue un poco mejor. En el ano 1947 nació mi primer hijo y le llamamos Manuel, era muy hermoso, su cabello rubio y con rizos. Fue más o menos a sus tres meses cuando le notamos
10
algo de falta en sus ojitos, los médicos decían que mi hijo estaba ciego. Ese fue nuestro primer golpe. Yo le notaba a mi hijo que había vida en su Mirada yo sabia que no estaba ciego aunque los médicos y medicas no me hacían caso, fue mi mismo hijo quien les demostro que el tenia algo de vista, fue cuando la doctor a paso una luz por delante y Manuel quiso coger la luz con sus manitas. Al nosotros no estar satisfecho con los doctores locales le llevamos a Málaga donde fue visto por un medico especialista llamado EI niño atrevido y muy famoso en esos días, Entonces Manuel ya tenía 12 meses. Y este medico nos confirma que nuestro hijo tenía Miopia y que le ten-
dria que poner gafas, pero eso no fue lo peor porque tambien nos informa de que mi hijo sufria de una discapacidad siquica. Se nos hundio el mundo, dariamos cualquir cosa por no haber escuchado estas palabras, no por el dolor que nos causaba a nosotros como padres pero por mi hijo Manuel, tan pequeño con gafitas y con un futuro mul duro para el. De pronto todo el pasado de tanto sufrir no tenia tanta importancia, ahora lo que teniamos que afrontar es el futuro de nuestro hijo porque nos necesitara 24 horas al dia por toda su vida y gracias a El Señor así asido. Manuel ahora tiene 52 anos y nosotros no cambiaríamos ni un momento de nuestra vida cuidándole. En el ano 1949 con mucha fe a nuestro Senor tuvimos otro hijo y le pusimos Oscar, nosotros seguimos nuestra vida para adelante ignorando todo lo negativo porque lo positivo era que mis hijos nos necesitaba. Asido una vida y sigue siendo muy dura pero tambian muy agradecida, hoy en día
las cosas son diferente y gracias a la ciencia hay muchos adelantos para las criaturas como mi hijo pero en nuestros tiempos todo tenia un nombre y poca cura, el único cuidado para estas criaturas era el de sus padres y eso no era posible para muchos desafortunados. Gracias Al Senor que el destino nos trajo a Manuel a nosotros. Una vida dura y de muchas lagrimas, mucha lucha, muchos anos de un medico a otro. Pero tambren y mas importante una vida de mucho carino, muy buenos momentos y tambien de alegria. Nosotros nos sentimos elegidos por el Senor, y que nuestra vida era la vida para nuestro hijo. Son tantas cosas que contar de todos estos anos pasados, que más podría pasar, que otro golpe podrlía venir a nuestra vida. Pues sí, nos vino otro golpe en al ano 2000. A mi hijo Manuel se le fue la poca vista que le quedaba, Manuel siempre tubo la vista de peor a peor aunque podía defenderse. El salía de paseo solo a si-
tios que él estaba acostumbrado, tenia aunque poca pero suficiente vista para disfrutar de su mundo pero nunca pensábamos que la perderla completamente. Un golpe tambiém grande pero que lo mismo lo hemos superado con esa ayuda del Senor que nunca nos falto, con mucho amor no solamente de nosotros a nuestro hijo Manuel pero de él a nosotros, un amor que te hace olvidar todos los obstáculos que la vida te pone por delante, todo ese dolor que es diflcil de explicar porque hay que sentirlo para saber c6mo es. Pero también una tiene tantos buenos recuerdos de tantos años tan espéciales que no cambiarlamos por nada en este mundo. Cada dia Le damos gracias al Señor por tantas cosas que nos cede. Tengo la suerte y me siento orgullosa de poder dar gracias al Señor por mis hijos, gracias por elegimos a nosotros como familia para compartir nuestra vida con mi hijo Manuel. Gracias Senor.
11
General Building Contractors 95B Harbour Walk, The New Harbours, Gibraltar Tel: (+350) 20043621 Fax: (+350) 20041272 Email: management@profield.gi
Finding the right Way
An Experience of Community Think of a time when you wanted to get to a new town. Impatient to be there quickly, you started out on your own. But was this the right way? Or should you turn at that road over there? Well, that road looked more promising, so you turned and followed it for quite awhile; only to discover that it was the wrong way! So you retraced your steps and came back to your starting point. Then someone came along with a map of the area, so you decide to use this new tool to move ahead. But guess what? The road you were on, which you thought headed north, turned out to be leading you east! Finally, just when you were giv-
ing up hope of ever getting to the new town, someone came along who said, “I’ve just returned from there. I’ll be glad to show you the way!” What a gift! And quite soon you reached the goal you’d been hoping for all this time! One could say that deepening our spiritual life through retreats is the ‘town’, the goal many are searching for. We all try to grow in the spirituality of Faith and Light, which is at the heart of our movement. We look for ways in which to
12
grow in this spirituality. To live a ‘Faith and Light Retreat’ reflects in real life, the following story. FAITH AND LIGHT RETREAT, 29TH - 31st MAY 2009 The Retreat Theme was:
“Here I am, Send me!”
The Retreat took place in the Retreat Centre and the participants arrived on Friday evening. They were received with a warm and personal welcome. It started off with dinner, which facilitated in-
teraction during the meal. This was followed by an introduction to the retreat, and later, holy hour and evening prayer. The music ministry led us in prayer throughout the retreat and filled our hearts with love. Saturday included morning prayers, times of silence for reflection, talks, as well as times of sharing, ending with the washing of the feet, supper and Fiesta. The talks delivered by three laypersons and a priest were inspiring and informative. It helped us all to look at our ‘inner self’ and renew our vocation to the Community. Times of sharing with one another was carried out. It gave the participants the chance to listen to people who probably came from different backgrounds and different experiences. It helped them to relax, reflect and share their journey in faith. It is important to mention that to share with one another is not a time for discussion, or to prove that one person knows more than the other. It is a time to share hopes,
their faith, their difficulties and the way each one understands the message of Jesus. One of the highlights of the retreat was the washing of the feet. It was done in an atmosphere of prayer and silence. Washing each other’s feet is a symbol. It reveals our desire to forgive, to be forgiven and to serve with humility and love. Fiesta time is always fun in Faith and Light, as was proven on this occasion. The thought of being ridiculed does not exist amongst
Faith and Light Community
its members. Instead most people dress up to provoke laughter and do not mind acting in a most comic way. ‘Good for us!’ Sunday included morning prayers, a talk, Mass at the Cathedral, (Feast of Pentecost) and return to the Centre for lunch and other activities. The participants were invited to express in a few words what the retreat had meant most deeply to her/him. This was done shortly before the ‘Sending Forth’, continued overleaf
13
Finding the right Way
An Experience of Community continued from previous page with something special inside, as a reminder of what had been lived and received during the retreat. The retreat became a lived experience of Community because it was geared towards helping each person to have the chance for full participation in listening to, and being touched by the Word. THANK YOU A big ‘Thank You’ to the team who worked so hard in preparing the retreat: Joanna, Douglas, Odilia, Mercy, Mathew, Tony and Sarah. To Charles and Sarah for the music and to Javier, Luis, Chris and Padre Jose Antonio for their inspiring talks. Last but not least – to an untiring couple, Tessa and Derek for preparing such good meals. “May God Bless you all.” Photos: Top- the Community place themselves in God’s hands. Right- Prayer intentions were placed in the boat to offer up to God.
14
Sources: (Faith and Light International) How to prepare and live a Faith and Light Retreat
Health
Faith and Light Community
Cancer Conference Success Visiting delegates impressed with St. Bernard’s Hospital
B
reast Cancer Support Gibraltar hosted, together with the Gibraltar Health Authority, Gibraltar’s first Breast Cancer Conference on Friday 22nd May at the O’Callaghan Eliott Hotel. The conference was very well attended with over 100 delegates, and these health professionals from the GHA, PRMC and Private Practice, plus interested members of the public, were given an overview of the medical journey of breast cancer, ‘from
diagnosis to targeted treatments. Health professionals present said they found the conference excellent and well organised, with very good speakers who gave lots of interesting and important information. Delegates were especially impressed with how much Gibraltar already had on offer in terms of breast cancer care services and professional skills; and these covered Radiology, Pathology, Public Health and Breast Care Nursing. Isobel Ellul-Hammond, Chairman of Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar was extremely pleased with the success of the Conference and hopes the charity will continue to work closely with the GHA in order to support local health professionals and to improve and increase breast cancer
care services on the Rock: “This Conference has been the icing on the cake of the already successful ‘One-Stop Breast Clinic’, which sees women presenting with symptoms immediately and offers excellent and efficient services like no other in Europe. Diagnosis is quick, there is support from our own new Breast Care Nurse and surgery and treatment is given locally so women are able to stay close to family and friends.” The conference had three guest speakers from the UK: Mr Dimitri Hadjiminas, Consultant Breast & Endocrine Surgeon
and Director of St Mary’s Breast Unit, London; and Dr Emma Pennery & Jackie Harris from Breast Cancer Care UK: and five speakers from the GHA. While on a tour of St Bernard’s Hospital, both Dr Pennery and Mr Hadjiminas were so impressed with the hospital’s space, layout, equipment, staff and theatres, that Mr Hadjiminas said it was far superior in every way to many UK hospitals and that we had nothing to envy the UK and added: “When I get ill I will come to Gibraltar!”
AI International Couriers Ltd 11 Engineer Lane P.O. Box 532 Gibraltar Tel: 200 73775 Fax: 200 74389
15
16