Page Two OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY NEWS FROM BISHOP MICHAEL DIOCESAN EVENTS 2009 As always at this time of year, we look forward to various diocesan events when we come together to pray, worship and Second Collections celebrate as one diocesan family. Sunday 3rd May (Vocations Sunday) TRAINING OUR FUTURE PRIESTS Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham We now have four seminarians training for the We begin with the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham on priesthood studying at Oscott College, Birmingham. Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May. Do come and join us all This is your opportunity to support the formation of there if at all possible. Our focus is ‘Mary as the Bearer of future priests for our diocese. http://www.oliveaid.com the One who brings the New Creation’ – this is part of this year’s diocesan theme on ‘Care for God’s Creation’. Sunday 24th May (Communications Day) The gift of an Olive Tree can help farmers rebuild the CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE economic infrastructure of Palestine. By replanting the olive Children’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham This collection supports the work of the Catholic groves destroyed through years of conflict, we can help to provide employment, income and the most important gift of On Tuesday 26th May, in half-term week, all children are Communications Centre all - hope for a future free from poverty and suffering. invited to Walsingham for our Children’s Pilgrimage. A special invitation goes to children making their First Sunday 7th June Nearly half a million olive trees have been destroyed to clear Communion this year. CATHOLIC TRUST land for the enforced expansion of illegal Israeli settlements FOR ENGLAND & WALES and to build the security wall. Two-thirds of Palestinians are Celebration of Marriage & Family Life (optional, to be retained against parish levy) living below the poverty line with unemployment now over All couples celebrating marriage anniversaries, not just the This fund enables the bishops of England and Wales to 50% according to the United Nations. major ones, are invited to the Cathedral on Saturday 11th run the central administration of the Catholic Church in our country, which is at the service of the individual July at 11 a.m. Just 20 olive trees means that a family of four can break free dioceses such as ours. from the poverty trap caused by years of conflict. BACK IN THE HOLY LAND th Back in February, I was in the Holy Land again, with a group Sunday 28 June of young people from St Ives. They will give their own SUPPORTING THE HOLY SEE account in July, but I was able to visit places I had never been As a diocese in full communion with the Bishop of to before, especially Tiberias, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Rome, we support the Holy Father and his staff in their Nazareth and Mount Tabor. A highlight of our pilgrimage service of the universal Church, especially through was renewing our Baptismal Promises standing together in contributing to “Peter’s Pence”. the River Jordan. LEARNING TOGETHER These are the next three study days in our diocesan adult religious formation programme. Everyone is very welcome.

16th May 2009 St Laurence’s Catholic Church, 91 Milton Road, Olive groves being destroyed , CB4 1XB OliveAid aims to support the Palestinian people by Prison - a place of redemption? replanting the olive groves and providing families with a Mgr Malachy Keegan, Principal Catholic Prison sustainable income from olives and olive-based products. Renewing Baptism Promises in the River Jordan Chaplain, looks at prisons and the role of chaplaincy & They have identified over nine sites within the West Bank prison visitors. where sustainable olive groves can be planted. Each site has Whenever I go to the Holy Land, there are always two places been carefully selected and prepared to accept three-year-old I most look forward to visiting: the Holy Sepulchre Church 6th June 2009 olive saplings. Irrigation has been secured and each site is in Jerusalem, almost certainly the site where Jesus was St Mary’s Catholic Church, 322 Woodbridge Road, fenced where necessary. Most importantly, they have crucified and buried, and the Catholic community in the , OP4 4BD ensured that all OliveAid sites are positioned in non-conflict Palestinian West Bank village of Aboud. areas ensuring the long term security of the olives groves and Wrestling with the Trinity their crop. OliveAid hoped to plant 2,000 trees between April Bishop Michael explores how some of the first Christian 2008 and March 2009, with a further 3,000 trees in this thinkers struggled to put the Holy Trinity into words. current season.

27th June 2009 OliveAid is part of the UK Registered Charity ‘Friends of Pastoral Centre, Catholic Church, 14 Exeter Road, Bethlehem University’. The Diocese of East Anglia already Newmarket, CB8 8LT has very good relations with Bethlehem University, and Bishop Michael has visited there three times. It was ‘Faith of our Fathers’: established in 1973 as the first University in the West Bank, the English Catholic Community from the and remains the only Catholic University in the Holy Land. time of persecution to the present 69% of students are Muslim, 31% Christian. Deacon John Morrill, Professor of British & Irish Bishop Michael with some ‘elders’ of Aboud History at Cambridge University, looks at Catholic life Each three year old olive sapling costs £25. You can buy one TO BE ORDAINED AS DEACONS in England since the Reformation. or more trees by going to the OliveAid website (see above) Michael Collis (from Ipswich) and Luke Goymour (from from where you can download a form, including a Gift Aid You can register for each module by e-mailing: ) reach the end of their fifth year at Oscott declaration, or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘RC [email protected] College this summer, and will both be ordained deacon at the Diocese of East Anglia’ to Olive Aid, c/o Bishop Michael, or by going to the ‘Adult Education’ pages on our college on Saturday 27th June. They become members of The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, NR14 diocesan website and registering on-line, the diocesan clergy that day, with a view to being ordained to 7SH, including details of your name and address (this cannot or by writing to: Diocesan Learning Together the priesthood in a year’s time at St John’s Cathedral in be Gift Aided). Programme, Parish Office, 14 Exeter Road, Norwich. Newmarket CB8 8LT All of this also, of course, fits well into this year’s diocesan Please keep them both in your prayers, along with our other theme of ‘Care for God’s Creation’ – especially by planting All modules are on Saturdays, with registration and coffee two seminary students – Padraig Hawkins (Year 4) and trees. As so often, care for at 10.30 and finishing at 3.00. Bring your own packed Henry Whisenant (Year 2). See this edition’s Seminary the environment and care for lunch. Column by Luke Goymour on the centre pages. the needy go together. May 2009 Page Three OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY THE BISHOP TEACHES - GOOD SCIENCE AND GOOD RELIGION GO TOGETHER In recent months, there has been much celebration of Charles plants. And who was Mendel? An Austrian Catholic priest Darwin and his theory of evolution, often in a way which The Catechism of the Catholic Church and monk who eventually became Abbot of his monastery. dismisses Christianity as unable to cope with the discoveries of modern science, and even pitting Science and Religion The question about the origins of the world and of against each other. humankind has been the object of many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge of the age Of course, there have been times in the past when the and dimensions of the cosmos, the development of life- Catholic Church has not been exactly welcoming of new forms and the appearance of human beings. scientific theories – Galileo is a case in point. But in the 20th These discoveries invite us to even greater admiration for st and 21 centuries, there is plenty of evidence that ‘good the greatness of the Creator, prompting us to give him religion’ embraces ‘good science’, and that the two belong thanks for all his works and for the understanding and well together. wisdom he gives to scholars and researchers… (n. 283)

This is particularly important as we pursue our diocesan Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but theme for 2009 – our ‘Care for God’s Creation’. Whatever it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the theories we adopt about how our world came to be and how Creator. The universe was created ‘in a state of it developed, we still affirm it as God’s Creation, and that journeying’ towards an ultimate perfection yet to be without God nothing would exist. attained, to which God has destined it. (n. 302)

The beautiful accounts of God’s creating work in Chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Genesis are as true today as they ever Pope John Paul II were, but the truth they teach is that God is our Creator, that address to a study week organised by the Pontifical God created everything good, and that human beings have a Academy of Sciences in 1981 Fr Georges Lemaitre and Albert Einstein special dignity and responsibility within God’s creation as his stewards. Back to George Lemaitre. After he was ordained priest in The Bible itself speaks to us of the origin of the universe 1923, he came to study maths and science at Cambridge and its make-up, not in order to provide us with a The Bible is not teaching us a particular scientific theory University, staying at St Edmund’s House there. Lemaitre scientific treatise, but in order to state the correct of how the world came to be. The writers made use of was fascinated by physics, and studied Einstein’s laws of relationships of man with God and the universe. familiar theories from their own time. If Genesis were being relativity. From this he deduced that the universe must be written today, it would probably use the language of expanding, and proposed his theory in 1927. A Soviet Sacred Scripture wishes simply to declare that the world evolution and the ‘Big Bang’. scientist, Aleksandr Friedmann, came to much the same was created by God, and in order to teach this truth it conclusions independently a few years earlier. expresses itself in terms of the cosmology in use at the There is no necessary conflict between ‘good religion’ and time of the writer… ‘good science’, and it undermines the proclaiming of the In 1929, Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies were Gospel message when some Christians suggest otherwise. moving away at high speeds; like most people, he was Any scientific hypothesis on the origin of the world, such unaware of Lemaitre’s theory that there was once a Darwin himself, who seems as the hypothesis that there was a primitive atom from primordial atom – what he called a ‘cosmic egg’ – which had to have lost his Christian faith, which the whole universe is derived, leaves open the contained all the matter of the universe and which then wrote shortly before his death: problem of the universe’s beginning. exploded, launching the expansion of space itself as we still ‘It seems to me absurd to see today. doubt that a man may be an Science cannot of itself solve this question: there is ardent Theist and an needed that human knowledge that rises above physics He described the beginning of the universe as a burst of evolutionist.’ and astrophysics which is called metaphysics: there is fireworks, with galaxies spreading out in a growing sphere needed above all that knowledge that comes from God’s from the centre of the burst. Contrary to other scientists at the It would be good if today’s revelation. time who resisted the idea that the universe ever had a fundamentalist atheists beginning, Lemaitre suggested that the world had a definite recognised that as well, rather A DAY WITHOUT YESTERDAY beginning – on a ‘day without yesterday’ – in which all its than dismissing Christianity as Georges Lemaitre and the Big Bang matter and energy were concentrated at one point. ‘anti-science’ and as a mere collection of fairy tales. Many One of the best-kept secrets about the relation of science In 1933, Fr Lemaitre and Albert Einstein travelled together great scientists are committed and faith belongs to the development of the ‘Big Bang’ to California for a series of seminars. After Lemaitre had Christians, and some of the main scientific theories of our theory’ of how the universe came to be as it is now. Hardly explained his theory, Einstein is said to have stood up and day were pioneered by Christians. any educational programme ever mentions one key person applauded, stating that ‘This is the most beautiful and involved in kicking off the idea – a Belgian called Georges satisfactory explanation of creation to which I have ever Is this Catholic acceptance of much of the theory of Lemaitre (1894-1966). listened.’ evolution something very new? Far from it! The Catholic Church has been reasonably relaxed about the theory for well I recently watched a very high-brow TV programme on the It was Fred Hoyle, an astronomer at Cambridge, who over 50 years. theory, which suggested it all really started in the 1960s, with rather sarcastically dismissed the theory with the name ‘Big a bit of help from Hubble’s observations several decades Bang’, but it has stuck. Strong and convincing evidence for Pope Pius XII rightly had concerns about the theory of before. the theory has been found since the early 1960s. evolution being applied to the origin of everything without exception, including the human spirit, but as long ago as No mention was made of Georges Lemaitre. Could that be And what was the Catholic Church’s attitude to Lemaitre 1950, in his encyclical Humani Generis, he wrote: because he was a Catholic priest, and didn’t fit the TV as he developed and publicised his theory over forty years? ‘The teaching of the Church leaves the doctrine of evolution presenter’s ideology of ‘science versus religion’? The Archbishop of Malines made him a Canon of his an open question, as long as it confines its speculations to the cathedral in 1935. Pope Pius XI made him a member of the development, from other living matter already in existence, Something similar happened in David Attenborough’s Pontifical Academy of Science in 1936. Pope Paul VI made of the human body…’ celebratory documentary on Darwin: having dismissed him a Monsignor, and President of the Pontifical Academy. various 19th century Christians – especially bishops – for Last February, announcing a conference in Rome to mark their negative reaction to Darwin, he mentioned in passing Of course, Lemaitre left many questions unanswered – and the 150th anniversary of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, the key role of a man called Gregor Mendel (1822-1884) in many continue to remain so – but he illustrates well that Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical the development of genetic theory. science and religion do Council for Culture, said while the Church had been hostile not need to be in to Darwin’s theory in the past, the idea of evolution could Mendel is seen as the ‘father of modern genetics’, who conflict, and can often even be traced to St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas. spent years studying the inheritance of certain traits in pea enhance each other. May 2009 Page Five OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY

Dupliskating delight on two sides of diocese

Mindful of the challenges the geography of our diocese Wednesday of half-term and in Peterborough on the presents us with, at a recent youth council meeting it was Thursday. decided that we would duplicate some of our diocesan youth Between the two, around 50 young people came. It gave them events in different parts of the diocese. an opportunity to meet each other in an informal atmosphere The first of these was the very popular ‘Half-term Heaven on as well enjoy refreshments and of course impress each other ice’ (ice skating) which was held in Norwich on the with their ‘Dancing on Ice’ inspired skating!

RetreatsIn the last week of Spring term, Year 8 Notrefocus Dame students had a on life values week of Retreat days led by the Diocesan Youth Mission Team. “Working with about 55 students each day, we started with some warm up games, then watched a video clip and worked in small groups thinking about what things we value most in life,” Hamish MacQueen said. “We then had a talk and were shown a mime by Steve Murray, a Christian mime artist. “ He shared very openly about his life and how for him, the thing he valued most in life was his faith. “The morning continued with some presentations to the whole group followed by small group discussions. Contact the youth service “After lunch we ended each day with a reconciliation service and The Diocesan Youth Office, an opportunity for private reflection and the sacrament of The White House, 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norwich, reconciliation.” NR14 7SH Tel: (01508) 494833 Mobile: (0781) The Diocesan Youth Mission Team is a group of young people 2004934 Fax: (01508) 495358 who come together now and then to lead missions, retreats, Email: [email protected] reflections days etc. for schools and parishes. Hamish MacQueen said there are often times when If you would be interested in joining, contact Hamish in the there is nobody in the office. Please leave a message Diocesan Youth Office. The diocesan youth mission team and those taking part and someone will return your call. Key Events in 2009 From the Diocesan Youth Service Parishes enjoy faith and friendship weekend Monday May 3rd/4th In March a group of with some help from Hamish DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE WALK TO young people from Clare and his guitar. Throughout our WALSINGHAM time together we each produced Starting with camping the night before and then and Haverhill parish went a collage showing how we felt setting off from the beach for a sponsored walk to for an “Away Weekend” about our faith and the thoughts Walsingham. Arriving in time for Mass at the Rosalind Lamb, one of the that we had during our weekend Diocesan Pilgrimage. together. Wednesday May 27th group, shares her experiences There were some beautiful GO-KARTING IN SWAFFHAM collages expressing the joy and Half term week happiness we felt during the For anyone of secondary school age. Thirteen of us set off for Brentwood on our “Away weekend. Friday May 29th Evening prayer and Mass Weekend” with Hamish, Karen Groups from Clare and Haverhill enjoyed an away weekend GO-KARTING IN IPSWICH gave us some quiet time and the Half term week and Magdalen. We had a really enjoyable opportunity to reflect and praise For anyone of secondary school age. and thank God for all he is doing Sunday July 12th faith-filled and activity packed few days. On Saturday we in our lives. THE BIG ONE We are really grateful to Our main Diocesan event for young people. watched a Christian mime artist perform the journey of Jesus to Hamish, Karen and Magdalen Including competitive games, a barbecue, live for making it possible and to the music and much more at St. Benedict’s School, his crucifixion. It was really powerful and it parish who contributed to the Bury St. Edmunds. cost of our retreat. July 25th to August 3rd certainly changed our YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO TAIZE understanding of the Passion, Is this something your parish Our annual pilgrimage to Taizé. For those 17-29. because it was performed with could do? Contact Hamish in For more information, go to so much feeling and was so the Diocesan Youth Office if you www.catholiceastanglia.org and click on ‘Young close to us. would be interested in People’ and then ‘Events’ or contact the In the evening we put on a organising a similar weekend Diocesan Youth Service. talent show among ourselves for young people in your parish. Page Six Page Seven OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY NEWS FROM OSCOTT SEMINARY Students prepare

A nurse presents the Oil of the Sick A deacon brings forward the Oil of Catechumens Bishop Michael blesses the Oil of Chrism used in several sacraments Life is a funny old thing. The things that by the grace of God you end up doing in your lifetime forare not often the thingsdiaconate that often you’d expect you’d be doing. On leaving school I most certainly didn’t want be a priest, I had rather firm ideas about what I wanted to do. I had it all mapped out. I’d train to be a golf professional, qualify, land some cushy job at a respectable golf club, hopefully find the right woman and settle down with a family and spend the rest of my days bringing up a family, teaching golf and playing in the The cathedral was packed by people from across the Diocese of East Anglia Chrismpacked St John’s Cathedral Massthrough their teaching, preaching andof pastoral commitment occasional tournament. witnessed a renewal of care, ministering the sacraments, by their Life, of course, rarely goes as planned, and God, it would seem, most definitely had other presence in the parishes and the kind of people ideas! I won’t bore you with a blow by blow account of how I ended up preparing for priesthood commitment by priests, they were. at Oscott College. Needless to say I told God my plans, and He, finding them rather humorous, deacons and people of the Deacons showed their commitment through gently, gradually and persistently told me His. Adiocese of East Anglia. the ministry of the altar and word but above all And thank God! Here I am several years later, months away from being ordained deacon. It’s The Chrism Mass also saw the blessing of their ministry of charity, bringing the Good this theme that certainly for Michael Collis and myself has dominated much of our thoughts, the holy oils that would be used in News to the poor. energies and prayers this semester. sacraments in the coming year. The laity also had a special role as bearers of For Michael and I are both in our fifth year, at the end of which, following a major assessment As well as parishioners from across the whole the Good News in the way they live, bringing it and approval by the seminary and Bishop Michael, we hope to be ordained deacon. diocese, more than 70 priests and about 27 to their communities and workplaces as anointed Earlier this semester, we had to formally apply for Holy Orders. This involved, in what deacons took part. people of God. seemed almost like an archaic tradition, writing in long hand a formal application and then Bishop Michael described the significance of Bishop Michael also said Holy Week was posting it under the door of the Rector’s study before the deadline. This curious event was the oils of the Sick, Catechumens and Chrism for special to him as he had been wearing a skull cap somewhat of a milestone, and was not as straight forward as some might imagine. the people anointed by the love of God. worn by Archbishop Oscar Romero who was an The oils touched everyone in their lives example to all. because they had received the Oil of the He gave his life in love, shot while celebrating Catechumens at Baptism, Chrism at Mass, because of h is support for the poor of his Music and inspirational passages from the scriptures are features of the Chrism Mass Confirmation and many had been anointed with country San Salvador. the Oil of the Sick. There was further international flavour to the He also said: “We are all bearers of the Good Chrism Mass with the second reading that Jesus News of God’s love for every human being Christ loves all and washes away their sins was without exception. read in Malayalam by a member of the Syro- “In the words of scripture God so loved the Malabar rite. world he gave his only son - that’s the depth of All the Olive oil and the balsam for the Chrism his love.” were from East Anglia’s twin diocese the Latin Deacons, seminarians and congregation in the north transept of the cathedral He referred to the commitment of the clergy Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

CandidatesEighty Candidates and Catechumens began andBishop MichaelCatecumens welcomed them and in the In his homily,celebrate Bishop Michael reminded lastparishes acrossleg the dioceseof withjourney their Catechumens cameto from full St. John thecommunionKing’s Lynn; The Sacred , North the final stage of their journey to full Rite of Election service set them on their way people of the extraordinary dignity God offers sponsors, families and friends to celebrate this Baptist, Norwich; Our Lady & the English Walsham; St George, Norwich; St Peter & communion with the Catholic Church on the to the Easter Vigil when their journey would us. final stage. Martyrs, Cambridge; St Etheldreda, Ely; St All Souls, Peterborough; The Sacred Heart, first Sunday of Lent at St John’s Cathedral. be complete. “God has made us his own children, his sons Candidates came from the Cathedral Parish Mary, Ipswich; Our Lady of the St. Ives; St Mary, Thetford; and St Thomas of and daughters. We can call God not only ‘Our of St John the Baptist, Norwich; St Edmund, Annunciation, Canterbury, Woodbridge. There is a sense in which everything the last four and half years at seminary has been about Creator’ but ‘Our Father’. And we are heirs King & Martyr, Bungay; St Edmund, King & culminates in this simple action. We’ve studied theology, philosophy, sacred scripture, spent and co-heirs with Christ himself.” Martyr, Bury St. Edmunds; Our Lady & the much time in prayer, and have had pastoral placements that have taken us quite literally to the “This Easter, you are preparing to be English Martyrs, Cambridge; St. Laurence, other side of the world. welcomed more deeply into this great family Cambridge; The Most Holy Trinity, Diss; The Yet in all this we’ve being trying to hear the still, small voice of the Lord, calling us to serve of God. Sacred Heart, East Dereham; St Etheldreda, Him as priests. Discernment is rarely straightforward and hardly ever black and white, so when “What unites us above all is Jesus himself, Ely; St Peter the Apostle, Gorleston; St Mary, eventually the moment comes when we ask formally to be ordained, you can imagine that it is who is not just a wonderful prophet and Great Yarmouth; St Mary, Ipswich; Our Lady not something we undergo lightly! teacher, or even just the Messiah, but God’s of Good Counsel, March; The Sacred Heart, And so, as I sit writing this, I think on the many things happening in these next few months Beloved Son made flesh who died and rose North Walsham; St George, Norwich; St at Oscott. It’s not until, God willing, we are actually ordained deacon in June that we will know again for us.” Luke, Peterborough; St Peter & All Souls, for sure that this is what God is asking of us. So please keep us all especially in prayer during “Jesus unites us to himself as his followers, Peterborough; Our Lady of Pity, Swaffham; th friends and family, so that we can share his Our Lady, Stowmarket; St. Mary, Thetford; St. these next few months. Luke Goymour (5 year student at Oscott College pictured above) life and his destiny.” Jude the Apostle, Whittlesey; and St Thomas Bishop Michael presiding Candidates and Catechumens came from of Canterbury, Woodbridge. People of all ages from across the diocese

Catechumens stand before the altar at St John’s (left) and the choir which provided the music for the Rite of Election at the beginning of Lent, (above) Page Eight May 2009 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY

Carbon campaign

t John’s Cathedral has been Creation, which focusses on safeguarding the planet receivesawarded up to £70,000 on£70,000and its resources for this, and future generations. successful development of a “We want to reduce the current extremely high business plan, in the second and final carbon emissions at the Cathedral. Sround of the Development “We hope to achieve this by replacing the existing gas heaters (two of which were fatally damaged in Agency’s (EEDA’s) Cut your Carbon floods last August) with a sustainable heating solution funding competition. for the Cathedral, the adjoining Narthex being built at The Diocese had originally applied for £150,000 to the Cathedral, the sacristies, library and archive. take the first step towards making the Cathedral Church “This will also provide a long-term, permanent of St John the Baptist, Norwich into an Eco Cathedral. Thanks are due to all those who supported the project background heating supply to both the Cathedral and by signing up to Bishop Michael’s Cut Your Carbon the Narthex using sustainable energy.” community (RC Diocese of East Anglia) The Cathedral is a Grade 1 listed building recognised (www.cutyourcarbon.co.uk) as one of the region’s most iconic buildings. It receives Naomi Perowne, Cathedral Development Officer many national and international visitors, because of its explained: “We are delighted to have been awarded architectural importance and the view from the top of some of the funding and will be working extra hard to the Cathedral tower. raise the additional funds we need. “We hope the Cathedral’s experience in converting to “Our responsibilities as citizens and members of the a sustainable heating system and the impact this will – human race have implications for all aspects of our have on its welcome ministry to the general public and Progress on the Narthex lives, not least of which is our impact on the planet we on the conservation of the building will be helpful to Building work continues on schedule at the time of writing. A special inhabit. This project is part of the Cathedral’s response other great historic buildings facing similar issues,” screen has been put up in the south aisle of the Cathedral so that you to our Diocesan theme for 2009 - Caring for God’s Naomi said. can watch the building emerging from the ground! Renewal date Around the Diocese The Diocesan Charismatic Renewal team is holding a day of renewal TheParish reopened Rosmini Centre centre in the parish of open to help led by Fr John Daley on 4 July at St Charles Borromeo in Wisbech now has two the Bowthorpe Church Centre in Parish news extra charities working there - Fenland Norwich from 10am to 4.30pm. Volunteer Bureau and Home Start. More information from Frank still needed Manager Anita Grodkiewicz said: “Having Hibbert on 01284 705241. The editor Patrick Byrne needs them work from the centre will maximise the news about activities and people services that we will be able to provide. in parishes. “Signage has gone up and flower beds Global warming Please send a planted by volunteers and we have nearly 40 of few notes and them willing to help in a variety of ways. debate revealed a jpg picture “Lots of interest in hall and room hire has Mary Prentice gave a talk on her by email or been expressed from other organisations as reflections about the environment with a well as parishioners and we are organising a Working on the Rosmini Centre in Wisbech parish and global warming with slides of photograph in range of additional services and activities nature photographed by her husband the post but requested by the local community.” Sister’s international care Michael at a recent meeting of the do not embed Three sessions were due to be arranged for Sr Emilia Birck, from the convent and school at Justice and Peace group in King's pictures in local people to chat about memories of their Swaffham in Norfolk, in her 50th year as a nun, has been Lynn. Word or other first home in Wisbech. presented with the Carer of the Year award for her endless Mary had recently worked documents as Anita said: “The informal chats will be work offering advice and guidance to those in need. through a 10 week course by e- quality is impaired when they are recorded for a national archive and a display She received the award from Breckland District learning on the subject of global extracted. stand will be at the Centre for six weeks for Council and was described at the ceremony as “the warming and the environment. To get in touch with the editor the members of the local community to view. The mother to those in need from all nationalities”. The reality of global warming is details are listed below. project is in partnership with Wisbech Of particular note was her work for the large now accepted by the scientific Our Diocesan Family, Museum. Portuguese community which now lives in central community but not all scientists The White House, “Large family events are planned as well as Norfolk. She is originally from Brazil and speak accept that climate change is 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norfolk a Young Pavement Artist of the Year contest Portuguese. occurring, she said. NR14 7SH. and award in the centre car park for children Council leader William Nunn said: “We applaud and Spiritual reflections on the Tel/Fax: 01603 627409 and and youths aged between 4-19years. celebrate the remarkable contributions Breckland people environment are to be found in the email: “We are also planning a ‘Put the beach into make within their local communities and across society.” life of St Francis of Assisi and his [email protected] Wisbech’ event which will use a beach theme “We are extremely proud of the strong community order, the Franciscans have plus.net to promote a cohesive family fun day.” spirit throughout the district and it is good to see so many produced a valuable book called The centre’s official Open Day is 1 July. people recognised.” ‘Care of Creation’. May 2009 Page Eleven OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY BUILDING BRIDGES in Cambodia together, creatively provide answers, and keep on taking mining in the Pailin area to fund their offensive and later steps towards a more just and inclusive world. their own regime once they gained power. byReaksa Bishop Kike Figaredo, and Apostolic Wanda Prefect of our twin When the invading Vietnamese threw them from power in diocese of Battambang in Cambodia We want to focus on these sparks of life that guide and inspire us to cling to what is worthwhile and what gives us 1978/1979, the Khmer Rouge retreated to Pailin, where many of their leaders remain today. Some leaders went into The two most recent arrivals at the Arrupe Centre in strength, positive energy, joy and reasons for hope. hiding, but other leaders lived openly in the province. Battambang are Reaksa and Wanda. Reaksa is a girl whose brilliant smile and shining eyes can light up any room. She’s We are full of gratitude for the opportunities that we are nine years old and has suffered from paraplegia and pressure given by the friendship and support we receive. Today we sores for the last two years. join Reaksa and Wanda in their weakness and fragility, two qualities that are also evident in the state of peace and Wanda is a gentle 10-year-old boy who has a permanent stability in the world. smile. He suffers from poliomyelitis and has a small and thin body due to, among other things, his illness and malnutrition. Following a firm and determinate path in their Because of this it is almost impossible for him to manoeuvre wheelchairs, Reaksa and Wanda are not only fighting against his own wheelchair. their pressure sores, but also the difficulty of overcoming the everyday challenges of life.

As well as joy for these and all children, we seek justice, social integration, the minimums of education and health for all, and the dignity of life to be respected.

CAMBODIA PROJECT 2009 MORE ON PAILIN In the March edition, I announced that our diocesan Lunch in Pailin Cambodia project from March 2009 until February 2010 Pailin is located in one of the most heavily mined areas in would be to pay for three rooms in a multi-purpose centre for the world. Travellers are cautioned to stay on the marked the work of the Catholic community in Pailin, an isolated roads. town on the Cambodia/Thailand border.

Our twin diocese has acquired a piece of land in Pailin Bishop Kike with Reaksa and Wanda where they are building both a church and a centre to help the poor. The multi-purpose parish centre will be a two-storey OurCAN two main diocesan YOU ‘Building HELP? Bridges’ projects this With these two smiles shining out of their wheelchairs we building with ten rooms. year are helping to build a church centre in Pailin, started 2009 full of joy. From the caring, sympathy, Cambodia and to provide drums, bagpipes, etc for friendship and support that we receive, especially from East Our project for 2009 is to pay for three of these rooms, at Catholic Scouts in the Holy Land. Anglia, we are inspired to continue our work. a total of £15,000. One room will welcome the disabled and Would you like to support these projects? those affected by landmines; another will be for the care of Cheques should be made payable to the ‘RC Diocese of The year opened with much excitement and many new people with ear problems as well as for general medicine; East Anglia’. projects that will continue to accompany and respond to the and the third will be for medical treatment and services for people and communities that suffer from lack of the basic the poor. necessities to live, such as food, shelter, education, First Name……………………...... ………… employment, land and a supportive community. Pailin is an isolated town in the west of Cambodia, towards the border with Thailand. It is accessible only by a single Surname.....………………………...... ……… We started the year with excitement, but in a world full of road from Battambang, and is 50 miles from there. conflict and injustice, not to mention being in the middle of Address…………………...... ……………..… a global economic crisis. For a long time it was a stronghold of the Communist Khmer Rouge (KR), remaining under their control long after ……………………………………...... ……... In a world where sporadic bursts of war appear never to they were defeated in 1979 right up to 1996 when the local cease, it seems that peace and understanding will never take KR commander, Ieng Sary, struck a deal with the Cambodian ………………………….... Postcode……………. the necessary steps to prevail. Violence and lack of government. understanding continue driving us mad, call us to reflect, and Amount enclosed…………….. fill us with rage but also with compassion for those who Even today, it is said, older Pailin residents reminisce Anything you give will be divided equally between suffer through no fault of their own. about the KR years when education and health care were Cambodia and the Holy Land, unless you indicate below available and food was given to the old and needy. There are by ticking one or other that all your money should go to From our little world in the Apostolic Prefecture in fewer public services today, and the Catholic Church has a that project: Battambang, we are continually challenged by the reality of vital role to play there. peace being misunderstood in our daily effort for things to be CHURCH CENTRE, PAILIN (Cambodia) ...... different. Despite this, we try to keep life balanced at the In the 1970s, Pailin was a prosperous town, with lots of SCOUTS INSTRUMENTS (Palestine) .....… local level, and therefore had an incredible 2008. deposits in the surrounding countryside. Pailin is famous for its blue sapphires. Because of these resources, it GIFT AID DECLARATION Highlights include the international treaty for the was one of the first cities invaded by the Khmer Rouge when (if appropriate) elimination of cluster bombs, Channeng and his new they began their offensive against the military government in I wish the RC Diocese of East Anglia to reclaim tax on prosthetic legs, and the dancing tour in Australia and Spain the 1970s. this donation. I have paid an amount of UK tax or where the youth of Cambodia demonstrated their capacity to gains tax equal to any tax claimed. show the beauty of their culture through social integration. The city offered no resistance, and the Khmer Rouge soldiers were greeted as liberators as they marched into Signed………………………………….... These dancers, both the ones with physical disabilities and town. Many residents believed that the Khmer Rouge were the ones with less visible ailments, were equally challenged fighting to restore their King to power. Very soon, however, Date…………………………...... by the rigorous and demanding schedule of the tour. most residents were rounded up and forced to march into the Please send to: countryside to work in the rice-fields. Bishop Michael, ‘Building Bridges’, 21 Upgate, We started 2009 in our basic way of accompanying, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7SH serving and listening to those who suffer from the lack of Anyone believed to have connections with the government Registered charity no. 278742 fundamental needs. We continue to learn how to walk was killed. The Khmer Rouge used proceeds from gem Page Twelve May 2009 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY Fraternal cross Sthe relicsTherese’s of St Thérèse of extraordinary ways, andrelics it is hoped that the August to and the secondvisit two on 19 September Lisieux visiting England and visit of her relics to this country will further beginning at 2.15 pm. Wales in early autumn will be help to draw people to God and to spread Refreshments will be provided, and visitors making an overnight stop in our Thérèse’s profound understanding of the are invited to join the community afterwards Tdiocese arriving at the Chapel of Gospel." for Vespers at 4.30 pm. A special website www.catholic relics.co.uk Since space is limited, please confirm your Reconciliation in Walsingham at has been set up giving details about the tour. attendance using booking forms available in about 3.30pm on Tuesday 6 The Fraternal Cross of the Catholic charity the For more information about Thérèse and churches throughout the diocese or from Miss Knights of St Columba, pictured above, is October. Carmel in general see Gillian Weston, The Old Chapel, Long Green, An all night vigil is to be held, and Bishop visiting the diocese of East Anglia in May. www.thereseoflisieux.org, Wortham, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 1PU 01379 Michael will preside at Mass on Wednesday It will then visit each council and may be www.carmelnuns.org.uk, and the relics are due to depart at 1.30pm. 898108. viewed in the parishes. Its itinerary is - 2-4 May Sr Shelagh Banks from the Quidenham www.carmelite.org.uk, www.carmelite.org, Forms may also be obtained by e-mailing Peterborough, 4-6 May Cambridge, 6-8 May Carmel said: "In recent years her relics have and www.quidenhamcarmel.org.uk [email protected]. A charge Ipswich, 8-10 May Lowestoft, 10-12 May Great travelled to nearly 40 countries, and have been The Carmelite sisters at Quidenham are of £3 for two afternoons will be made to cover Yarmouth & Gorleston, 12-14 May King’s Lynn attended everywhere by remarkable graces of offering some afternoons of reflection on St costs. and 14-16 May Walsingham. prayer, healing, and renewal. Thérèse. The first one will be on Saturday 20 On Saturday 25 July a day of reflection with The East Anglia Knights of St Columba 11th "In the last months of her life, Thérèse felt a June with talks on ‘The life and mission of Fr Matt Blake OCD will be held at the Church Annual Pilgrimage to Boulogne sur Mer is from growing conviction that she had a mission to Thérèse’ and ‘The Little Way’ of the Annunciation in Walsingham, with Saturday 22 to Monday 24 August 2009. They fulfill after her death, a mission ‘of making Two further talks will be on Saturday 18 sessions from 10.00am to 12.00 noon and 2.00 will carry Our Lady Of Walsingham’s statue in God loved as I love Him … I want to spend July on ‘Scripture and prayer in Thérèse’ and to 4.00 pm. (Mass is at 9.30 am.) Admission is procession through the streets of Boulogne, to the my heaven in doing good on earth.’ ‘The wisdom of Thérèse’. free, but donations to the church would be cathedral for Mass. Inquiries and bookings to "This desire has been fulfilled in The first two talks will be repeated on 22 gratefully received. Christopher Brooks (01502) 563208. Enclosed sanctuary puts focus on altar Thirteen parishioners from the Sacred priest Fr Kyong-Yong $3100 donated by Heart, North Walsham, have spent eight Sacred Heart parishioners. days in Cambodia at their twin parish - “That’s a lot of money in Cambodia Francis Xavier in Svay Sisophon. and it will be spent on improving the In one 24 hours they were given three lives of the very poor in the parish of cooked meals , a Mass, an after-dinner Svay,” Lawrence Smith said. disco , a traditional dance, a visit to Pongro Village is among the most Pongro village centre, with dances from deprived and Fr Kyong-Yong wants to the children and hot soup plus limitless buy land there for a new centre with a Katie Maidment at Pongro village making a love and laughter as their hospitality. well. That will be our target for the next presentation to the young dancers who are Clare Ludden, 15, with student teacher at Pongro “Fr David Bagstaff handed to parish year’s fundraising,” he said. twinned with a dance school at Aylsham

BISHOP’SMAY ENGAGEMENTS15th St Benedict’s Pyramid SchoolsIN MAY10th College AND of Consultors JUNE 2nd Diocesan Council of Laity Pilgrimage to Walsingham at Poringland at Poringland Confirmations at Huntingdon 11th Confirmations at Bury St 50th Anniversary Mass at 16th/17th Day of Recollection Edmunds at 7.30 St Helen’s, Hoveton at 5.30 at Oscott College 12th/13th Committee for Christian 3rd Confirmations at Bungay 20th Church Unity/Diocesan Ecumenical The Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Poringland at 10.30 Leaders meeting Representatives meeting celebrated its Parish Feast Day with a special Mass at th which the four new stained glass windows in the 4th Diocesan Pilgrimage Fakenham Centenary Mass 14 King’s Lynn Deanery Sanctuary, pictured above, were dedicated. to Walsingham at 7.30 (tbc) Corpus Christi Celebration Parish Priest Fr Mark Hackeson said: “The windows, th th 21st Installation of new th th 5 -6 British Methodist/Catholic 16 /17 Bishop’s Ordination Year designed by Paul Quail, depict in a fluid and modern Archbishop of Westminster Committee (overnight Reunion form, the great event of the Annunciation of the Lord. nd meeting) 22 School Mass at St Mary’s 18th Diocesan Finance Board “Gabriel announces to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the good 7th Solemn Profession School, Lowestoft at 9.15 at Poringland news of the Father’s will for her, and following her free at Quidenham 23rd/24th Parish Visitation Newmarket 19th Diamond Jubilee celebrations and positive ‘Yes’ to God’s will, the light of the Holy Spirit descends upon her womb - the Word was made 8th Catholic-Oriental Orthodox 26th Diocesan Children’s at St James, Ipswich at 7.30 flesh, and dwelt amongst us. Pilgrimage to Walsingham 20th Lay Ministers Commissioning Forum at Southwark “The central depiction of the Annunciation is set on a th th Day at St Mary’s, Ipswich Norfolk Commemoration at St 30 50 Anniversary Mass at flowing abstract background, with many scriptural texts st Edmund’s College, Cambridge St Mark’s, Ipswich at 7.30 21 Confirmations at St Neots from both the Old and the New Testaments. 9th Mass and lunch with Deacons 31st Confirmations at Cathedral at 5.30 “The outer windows, with the circular movement of the and wives at Poringland- noon at 11.00 22nd/23rd Bishops’ Conference glass call to mind the Communion of Saints, and the 10th Confirmations at St Mary Adult Confirmations Standing Committee in names of five local saints are recorded. Magdalen’s, Ipswich, 10.00am at Walsingham at 3.00 London (overnight) “They are St Felix, the missionary first Bishop of the East Mass at UEA at 6pm JUNE 24th Christian/Muslim Forum Angles; St Fursey, the Celtic missionary who lived at Burgh Castle; St Walstan, the farmer saint from th 5th Notre Dame Pyramid Schools (London) 12 Study Day for Bishops Taverham; St Withburga, the anchoress from East pilgrimage to Walsingham th on Safeguarding (London) 25 St Joseph’s School, Sudbury, Dereham and St Robert Southwell, the Elizabethan poet Confirmations at Buckden 7.30 13th CCRS Certificates Centenary Celebrations and martyr priest from Horsham St. Faith. th Presentation at Mass at 6 Diocesan ‘Learning Together’ 26th Confirmations at OLEM, “These are joined by Mother Julian of Norwich.” Study Day on the Trinity Margaret Beaufort Institute, Cambridge at 7.30 A collection of 600 Catholic Books is for sale at a price Cambridge in Ipswich 27th/28th Parish Visitation to St Mary’s, £600 and most of them are pre-1960. th 14th Annual Synod of Parish Priests 7 Mass with First Vows at Ipswich They are being sold by Hugh and Sally Arnold from Nayland near Colchester. The collection includes books at Poringland Swaffham at 10.30 29th – 3rd July th by Cardinal Newman, St Therese of Lisieux, St Teresa of Diocesan Commission for 9 Silver Jubilee Mass at St Philip Diocesan Priests Study week Avila, Thomas a Kempis, St John of the Cross and Evangelisation at Newmarket Howard, Cambridge at 7.30 at Hinsley Hall, Leeds others. More information from Hugh on 01206 262486.