The newspaper of the Diocese of East Anglia FREE November 2007 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILCAFODY to hold Bishop makes new memorial for supporters CAFOD has asked Bishop Michael to call for vocations celebrate a Memorial Mass for those people in the diocese who have helped shape and year ago, new leaflets and develop the organization but have died. The Mass will be held in St Mary’s Church, posters were distributed Woodbridge Road, Ipswich on Wednesday 7 across the diocese, asking November at 7.30pm. the simple question: ‘A priest for CAFOD’s diocesan manager John Malley Aour future – could this be you?’ said: “It will offer an opportunity to gather Another poster and some prayer cards will together and remember those we have loved soon be heading to all parishes and primary and lost; and to celebrate their lives, their schools in East Anglia. faith and their compassion. “Over the years, the Catholic community in They focus on the call to give our lives to God, East Anglia has supported CAFOD in a wide especially by serving as priests. Everyone can use variety of ways, for which we are truly the simple prayer on the card. grateful. These new materials feature art work by 11- “Whether you have lobbied your MP, given at year old Catherine Mackay, who has just left St Fast Days, set up a Direct Debit, mentioned Mary’s School in Lowestoft. CAFOD in your will or remembered us in She won this year’s diocesan primary schools your prayers; you are an important part of our vocations poster competition. work and we would like to thank you for your Bishop Michael congratulated her and said: kindness, your commitment and your “Catherine’s picture gets to the heart of being a support.” priest. “Do come and join us in prayer and “It’s a special way of giving one’s life to God, afterwards for a cup of tea in the hall where especially by celebrating Mass and the other you can meet some other CAFOD supporters sacraments, proclaiming the Good News of God’s and members of staff.” love, and bringing that love to people. Further information from John Malley, the “East Anglia needs lots of dedicated and Cafod Diocesan manager. enthusiastic new priests for our future together.” If you would like us to remember and pray for East Anglia now has four young men training at a loved one at the Mass, contact John by Oscott College, the seminary near Birmingham. November 2 on 01603 624714 or by email on Michael (from Ipswich) and Luke [email protected] (Peterborough) are in Year 4. Both are on three month placements. Padraig (Cambridge) is in Year 3, and Henry (Bury St Edmunds) has just begun Year 1. Ladies at play Leaflets on the permanent diaconate have also St John’s Cathedral flower ladies enjoying been sent to all parishes. In many parishes, a day out at Cromer’s seaside in August to deacons provide sacred service of God’s people. show it is not all hard work. Some of the Religious communities are also a vital part of group are in their 80s and a bracing day the diocese, and a wonderful way of giving one’s paddling in the sea is just what they life to God. needed. This was just one of the regular For more information, see the vocations pages outings they enjoy. To see their work on the diocesan website: behind the scenes go to the centre pages. www.catholiceastanglia.org Catherine Mackay’s winning poster Church wins architectural award The new church at Walsingham, left, has won a top architectural award for “interpreting the iconic and traditional Norfolk round tower”. The church has won the Graham Allen Award for Conservation and Design, awarded by North Norfolk District Council. The innovative and contemporary Church of the Annunciation in Walsingham’s Conservation Area, replaces a temporary one that dated from the 1950s. The Diocese of East Anglia and local architect Anthony Rossi, whose design incorporated natural materials and renewable energy technology received the award from Edward Allen, the son of the late Graham Allen, North Norfolk District Council’s first Chairman and a champion of building conservation. Page Two November 2007 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY NEWS FROM BISHOP MICHAEL LOURDES 2007 GIVEN FOR YOU, SHED FOR YOU Receiving and Being the Body of Christ Our diocesan theme for 2007/2008 letter to parents of First Communion children, and a card to each Each year, we have had an annual diocesan theme. It was child for distribution on their First Communion Day 2008. Confirmation in 2003/2004, Reconciliation in 2004/2005, Baptism Children making their First Communion in 2008 will be specially & Welcome in 2005/2006, and last year it was ‘Hearing and invited with their parents to the Diocesan Pilgrimage to bearing the Word of God’. Last year’s theme leads naturally to the Walsingham on 5th May, where we will make a fuss of them in next, starting this Advent: ‘Given for you, shed for you – receiving some way! and being the Body of Christ.’ Christ is present in the reading of the Scriptures. He is present in so many different ways at Mass, Clergy Ongoing Formation Day on the Eucharist. especially in Holy Communion. East Anglia was back in Lourdes at the end of August, as Encouragement of study of Pope Benedict’s letter Sacramentum This page will give you some idea of what I have in mind for the part of the Catholic Association pilgrimage along with the Caritatis and of revisiting our Bishops’ Conference document One year: dioceses of Southwark, Portsmouth, Northampton and Bread One Body (especially articles 45-67) on its 10th anniversary, Clifton, as well as Stonyhurst School. As always, the as well as our Diocesan Pastoral Plan pages 44-50. Glanfield Group was a vital and fun-filled part of our What’s the point? pilgrimage, and St Mary’s School, Cambridge (present and Each parish is invited to review the way that Holy Communion is old girls) provided a large proportion of the young helpers. Supporting mission/evangelisation in our parishes: ‘Being the distributed at Mass. Amidst the heavy programme, much fun and relaxation was Body of Christ to the world’, linking closely with Pope Benedict’s had, and the dedication of helpers and helped alike was an ‘Year of Saint Paul’ as well as focusing on St Luke’s Emmaus Our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham (5th May 2008) will be inspiration to all. story. on the theme of ‘Mary of Nazareth…the model for each of us, called to receive the gift that Jesus makes of himself in the Developing Catholics’ love for the Eucharist and Christ’s special Eucharist’ (Pope Benedict, Sacramentum Caritatis, n. 33). presence there, and strengthening their sense of the sacredness of the Lord’s Day and the importance of Mass each Sunday. My hope is that all of this together over the year will help to make receiving Holy communion even more fruitful as we grow in Deepening our prayerful reverence when we receive Holy holiness and love together in Christ, and make even more prayerful Communion. and spiritually joyful our celebration of Mass.

Enhancing our appreciation and understanding of receiving Holy Mass leads to Mission. We receive the Body of Christ so that we Communion under both kinds. can more truly be the Body of Christ to our world.

Helping parents to understand that First Holy Communion is a rite The bishops coping of deeper initiation of their children into the life, worship and LEARNING TOGETHER together, above. witness of the Church. These are the next two modules for our diocesan adult religious formation programme. Everyone is welcome. The Glanfield Further encouraging Eucharistic Adoration. Group at the Grotto Challenges for Catholics in an pictured left. Supporting Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the understanding, exercise and spirituality of their ministry. aggressively secular society Service with a smile 3rd November 2007 at St George’s , below. Helping parishes make the most of the annual solemnity of Corpus Sprowston Road, Norwich et Sanguis Christi. Charles Wookey, Assistant General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, who works closely with Peter on Article 92 of Pope Benedict’s Sacramentum Caritatis will help us ethical issues, leads this day on a vital topic for today. move from the diocesan theme of the Eucharistic presence of Jesus in 2007/2008 to that of ‘Care for God’s Creation’ in 2008/2009. Understanding Confirmation 24th November 2007 at the Parish Centre, Catholic Church, What will happen through the year? Exeter Road, Newmarket Bishop Michael leads a day on Confirmation for Parish Bishop’s Pastoral Letters for the Epiphany (6th January 2007) and Confirmation Catechists, parents of young people being 3rd Sunday of Easter (6th April 2008). confirmed in the coming year, and anyone else interested.

‘The Bishop Teaches’ articles in this Diocesan Newspaper, You can register for each module by e-mailing: including reference to Sacramentum Caritatis, One Bread One [email protected] Body and the Eucharistic hymns of Charles Wesley. or by going to the ‘Adult Education’ pages on our diocesan Diocesan Prayer Card and Diocesan Act of Dedication to the website and registering on-line, Eucharist on Corpus et Sanguis Christi 2008. or by writing to: Diocesan Learning Together Programme, Parish Office, A special invitation to all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy 14 Exeter Road, Newmarket CB8 8LT Communion to the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham on 5th All modules are on Saturdays, with registration and coffee at May, and a letter from me to all Extraordinary Ministers. 10.30 and finishing at 3.00. Bring your own packed lunch. Donations to cover costs will be welcome. A special diocesan focus on First Communion, with a Bishop’s Service with a smile November 2007 Page Three OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY THE BISHOP TEACHES

GOD’SAs you will see on pageFAMILY eight, the Dowry TOGETHERBut we need to look at the way we live, worship and Pilgrimage to Walsingham in September was a witness together. Are we really united? Are we wonderful occasion, with around 3,000 people, really one single Church family? especially from the ethnic chaplaincies in . This was the theme for my homily at the Dowry Our own parishes in East Anglia have been greatly Pilgrimage Mass. I ask you to read this edited enriched in recent years by migrants from many version of my homily, and see how it applies to your countries, including India, Lithuania, the own parish. Philippines, Poland and Portugal, as well as other Eastern European countries and Africa. It is great to What can you do to draw people together as God’s have you all here with us! family?

As I have said before, it is right to celebrate our own cultures, to be proud of our national gifts and traditions and language, to rejoice is what is special and disinctive about us – but as closely united members of one single Body of Christ, all dependent on one another, all with much to give and receive from one another.

Our gathering here today in Walsingham is wonderful to see. There is do much life here! The Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Communion – calls us to share each other’s lives, to exchange our gifts with one another.

The Catholic Church in England has been so enriched since the Second World War and particularly in recent decades by people from many nations, races and cultures, people coming to live here and make their home here. We have long been deeply dependent on migrants, especially from Ireland.

English Catholics have a great deal to receive from Catholics disciples together. Homily of Bishop Michael from other countries – but this can only happen if they share in some real way the life, worship and witness of our Catholic More is asked of us than simply mutual respect and appreciation. parishes. People from other countries, including Catholic at the Dowry of Mary Pilgrimage Being one family is more than just being together in the same countries, have also a lot to receive from our Catholic life in place. Our minds and hearts must be open to one another, and we Walsingham England. Again, that can only happen if our parishes are warmly must reach out to one another in love. welcoming and inviting to people from every nation, and if those on 9th September 2007 people accept the invitation to ‘come inside’ and be at home. Some large-scale Catholic celebrations can look really good from the outside, with people of all nations gathered together as one, How did you spend your wintry summer this year? For me, There are many lively parishes in England where people from but that is not enough! All too easily, we can simply be in the August was sandwiched between two East Anglia diocesan different cultures contribute together to our life and mission, same place without being truly united in love. pilgrimages to France, one to Taizé at the end of July, and another enriching each other’s lives. We have a glimpse of that today – to Lourdes at the end of August. Both gave a wonderful sense of Scripture readings in different languages, songs from Ghana, Each group travelled here today in its own coach, gathered behind the worldwide, universal Church of Jesus Christ. Brazil and India alongside English hymns and Latin plainsong. its national flag or banner, and most of you are sitting together in This is truly Catholic life and unity! At Taizé, 4,500 young adults from over fifty countries and every those groups now. That doesn’t matter – and it has certainly helped the singing! But gradually we need to mingle and mix and continent gathered together as one great community. And over I would like to challenge everyone here today to return home reach out to each other. 20,000 pilgrims, mostly from Europe, descended on Lourdes the determined to be family-makers, working with God to create a week our diocese was there. truly united Catholic family in this land, Mary’s Dowry. It will be All too easily we can simply be in the same place, even moving a unity in diversity, but it must be a real unity. Go home to your in the same direction, but still split off from any genuine contact On Saturday evening in Taizé, thousands of candles shone parishes and find new and better ways to be a single community with one another. God’s family is meant to be much, much more together as we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. At Lourdes of faith, a single family together, God’s family together. each night at the torchlight procession, thousands processed with than that! And we must put this into practice in the way we are the Church together. their candles, again focusing on the Risen One, united as disciples How can the many national and language groups, and people of Jesus with Mary his mother. from other Catholic rites such as the Belarussians here today, It is natural to want to preserve our language, our culture, our preserve their wonderful special gifts and yet at the same time traditions, especially when we are living in a very different land. All of this, and especially the Sunday morning Eucharist at Taizé contribute to Catholic parish life in England. How can we better Here in East Anglia, the Lithuanians and the Keralans, the Poles and the International Mass at Lourdes, was a powerful symbol of share our gifts with each other? We have so much to give each and Portuguese, have their special language Masses from time to what Christ’s Church is meant to be: one great worldwide family other – and we all need each other. of God our Father, united in Christ by the Holy Spirit. time. But how can we each preserve our many wonderful national and cultural heritages without at the same time living and In today’s Scripture readings, St Paul calls us to get into the debt worshipping in isolation from each other? In such a family, there should be no divisions, no elitism, no of mutual love, and Jesus himself calls us to take responsibility ghetto mentality, no cutting ourselves off from our brothers and for one another, to reach out to one another in his name. Here All Catholics should have a passion for the family life of the sisters, our fellow disciples. today at Walsingham, England’s National Shrine, our Lady Church. Our Catholic unity is a great gift and blessing. We herself calls us to deeper unity, drawing closer to her risen son and belong to a world-wide community with members from every On this Racial Justice Sunday, we remember especially that there to one another in him. can be no racism among Jesus’ disciples: racism is evil, a grave nation, every language, every race and culture. Such family life is more than just existing side-by-side. It is more than a loose sin. Every human being is made in the image and likeness of We are here because we are all disciples and friends of the Risen federation of people each doing their own thing: we English on God, and we are all equal in his sight. God looks on each of us Jesus. We can only be true disciples if we are united with each our own, determined to retain our old hymns and liturgical as his marvelous handiwork, on each Christian as his beloved other in faith and mutual love. Let us truly be God’s family and nothing else; Poles going each week to their Polish Masses daughter or son. together. and Polish social clubs with little real contact with ordinary Whatever our race or colour, our culture or nationality, our English parish life; Lithuanians and Vietnamese, Filipinos and language or tradition, we are united by our common baptism as Keralans, so often thriving and at the parish Sunday mass, but brothers and sisters of Christ and of one another. We are his sometimes only on the fringes of parish life. Page Four November 2007 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY DIOCESAN SCHOOLS IN FOCUS New headmistress is welcomeduring a Rite of Commissioning at“Our St staff will continueMary’s to be warm and caring, at Mass Bishop Michael officially committed to bringing out the very best in each welcomed Charlotte Avery to St and every girl. Mary’s Independent Senior School in “And the calm and purposeful environment will remain, enabling girls to grow into confident Cambridge. D young women. The event was attended by governors, staff, “Although we have been a bigger school for students, parents, along with heads of other top such a short time, we are already well used to the Cambridge schools and members of the CJ junior and senior girls sharing aspects of school Community. life together,” she said. During the Mass, Charlotte promised to Charlotte’s first focus will be further integration undertake her role as headmistress, support the of the junior and senior schools. There will also school’s Catholic ethos and commit to nurturing a be developments in boarding. community centred in Christ. The extra-curricular and weekend programmes Charlotte said she is most anxious to preserve will be further extended and emphasis will also be the ethos at St Mary’s, whilst extending and placed on offering ways for girls to develop Bishop Michael and Mgr Tony Rogers from Our Lady and English Martyrs at developing various key areas of the school. leadership abilities. Cambridge welcome Charlotte Avery as headmistress at St Mary’s. Junior students showing enthusiasm for history Students at St Mary’s junior school with outings and activities. On Hall, an old Tudor mansion built by people walked along them for Tudor houses and we visited the in Cambridge have revealed that Tuesday we had a tour of the city. Sir William Petre, Secretary of State exercise.” Guildhall of Corpus Christi. they are very enthusiastic about all “Throughout the week we visited to four Tudor monarchs. The Some of their comments: their activities there. the Acropolis where we saw the students had a guided tour of the “I enjoyed seeing the four poster In a few brief notes a few of the Parthenon and this was fantastic. house and gardens. bed and the secret passage in the “I really enjoyed seeing the students give an insight into the My favourite afternoon was the visit Some of their many comments: bedroom.” crooked houses and seeing how work they do and how they enjoy to the temple of Poseidon. “I enjoyed finding the priest holes different they are to my house.” their time. “This was like being face to face in the house.” with thousands of years of history. Form 5 “I liked the Crooked House “I’d say we all had a great time, “They were really interesting but Visit to Lavenham because it looked like how I imagine Form 5 and 6 the teachers were amazing and the they were so small, I don’t know a witch’s house to be in a fairy tale. Visit to Athens whole trip was the best ever!” how the priests were supposed to fit Form 5 visited Lavenham as an “I particularly enjoyed looking at through them.” introduction to their CDT project and drawing the Guildhall of Corpus Last Summer Form 5 were studying this term which is to design and Christi.” the Ancient Greeks in history and in Form 5 Visit “My favourite part of the gardens make a Tudor house. May a group of forty girls from year to Ingatestone Hall was the Lime Walk. It was lovely Lavenham is a medieval wool “I enjoyed trying on the Tudor 5 and 6 took part in a residential and shady.” town in Suffolk and most of the clothes in the Guildhall museum. In field trip to Athens. This term Form 5 are studying the timbered houses were built between one of the rooms there was a One year 6 girl’s comments: “We Tudors and on Tuesday 11 “I enjoyed walking along the 1450 and 1500. mummified cat which was very had the most amazing days filled September they visited Ingatestone Long Gallery. We learnt that rich They spent some time sketching interesting to look at!” Celebrating international peace day at St Augustine’s

St Augustine’s Primary had been injured by Fr John Shannon showed School celebrated landmines. his cross which was given International Peace Day As part of their to him by the Bishop of on Friday, September 21. preparation they had Cambodia. Years 5 & 6 marked the made little one legged The children, above, all day with a special Mass. figures of Christ the sang the Peace song No They prayed for the Amputee which they Wars Will Stop us Singing children in Cambodia who mounted on a Cross, right. as part of the Mass. November 2007 Page Five OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY Contacting the youth service The Diocesan Youth Service Fax: (01508) 495358 can be contacted at: The Email: dys@east- Diocesan Youth Office, The angliadiocese.org.uk White House, 21 Upgate, There are often times when Poringland, Norwich, Norfolk there is nobody in the office. NR14 7SH Please do leave a message Tel: (01508) 494833 and someone will return your Mobile: (0781) 2004934 call as soon as possible. Family fun for Stfter monthsEdward’s of preparation and hard work (on the brain cells at least) setting up the gazeboes and stalls, People from across St Edward’s , AIpswich, were ready for the thousands, with the BBQ beginning to whet their appetites! However, with flooding in various parts of the country and the forecast for the wettest weekend of the summer, the omens were not good for the prospects of a fine day for the Deanery Family Fun Day. Joanne Aguilar-Millan gives a first hand view of the day. She said: “Parishioners from across St Edward’s Deanery met at 9:00 am to prepare for the big day. Despite the weather the hardy people of St Edward’s Deanery turned out for the fun day and enjoyed themselves “Thank goodness for the shelter we put up in the morning! The rain kept coming and going throughout the day, but it didn’t spoil the enthusiasm and enjoyment. “At least those of you who appreciate the arts were able to view an impressive display of paintings in the dryness of the entrance hall at St Mary’s Church. The rest of us had to make do with visiting the stalls, running between Gazeboes. “Bishop Michael opened the event and mingled with the crowd. He’s a natural in front of the microphone and cameras! “We had the usual throng around the cake stall and bottle tombola, the children loved the face painting and hair braiding and young and old got stuck into the spin to win football game. “The more energetic put on their dancing shoes and had a go at salsa dancing, whilst parishioners from around the Deanery showed off their many musical and artistic talents to the delight of all those who attended the Fun Day. “We had an Australian theme for the day as the proceeds from the event went to support the young people going to In our last issue we were unable to to report on all the amazing events World Youth Day next year. What could be more Australian Dates for 2008 that happened over the summer so cast your mind back to those days of than a BBQ? Saturday 5th January “The culmination of all the events was the inter-parish Epiphany / New Year Candlelight Mass sheltering from .... ‘torrential rain’ like these people at the summer camps Tug-of-War, where some of the rules had to be “flexed” to at The White House, Poringland allow for the enthusiastic to take part. What should have For all young people preparing for been teams of 8 turned into 15+ easily! Confirmation or recently confirmed. “The team from St James’ came out as eventual winners Friday 15th February with a display of strength which would have made our Ice Skating in Norwich Anglo-Saxon ancestors proud! For anyone of secondary school age “Hopefully everyone who came to the Fun Day had a fun Sunday 17th May time. I certainly did. Sometimes it is easy to forget that we Hobble with the Bishop are part of a wider Holy Family, but at an event like this we Sponsored walk through Thetford can see first hand just who our family are. Forest raising money for young people “A big THANK YOU to all those helping organise the in Cambodia and the Holy Land. event, representatives from parishes at Aldeburgh, Friday 30th May Brantham, Leiston, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Woodbridge and Trip to Thorpe Park (or somewhere Framlingham. Finally, we would like to thank our many similar) sponsors and all those who were able to attend, making the For anyone of secondary school age. event a success helping to raise over £1500.” June 29th Joanne Aguilar-Millan wrote the report with help from The Big One Francisco de Carvalho. Others who helped on the day are Our main Diocesan event for young Sarah Aguilar-Millan, Emma Bonshor, Joseph Howard, people. Including competitive games, a Joby Mathew, Kathryn Hogan, Lindsay Bradley, Lydia de barbecue, live music and much more. Carvalho, Matthew Rutterford and Melissa de Carvalho. July 5th – 23rd World Youth Day Pilgrimage to Days of preparation for World Youth Day Australia Eighty-five people from East Anglia have signed very much feel part of the group” said Hamish The deadline for booking a place on up for the World Youth Day Pilgrimage in Sydney MacQueen one of the main organizers. the World Youth Day Pilgrimage 2008 next July. Previous preparation days had included a variety has passed but if you would like to be They will be joined by about half a million other of traditional ice breaker games so this time the placed on a waiting list, and given a young people from all over the World as they group were randomly split into small groups and place if someone cancels, please come together to celebrate their faith in the challenged to build a life size kangaroo out of contact the Diocesan Youth Service. presence of the Pope. The East Anglia group have newspaper pictured here! August 2nd-10th been meeting every few months. “The groups also took on the more serious task Youth Pilgrimage to Taizé “These preparation days are partly about passing of devising a ‘Code of Conduct’. In many Our annual pilgrimage to Taizé. on information and partly about getting to know waysthis shows our pilgrimage has already For those 17+. each other, so by the time we leave, everyone will started,” Hamish added. Page Six Page Seven OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY

VolunteersThe Catholic relationship organization member needed of the British Association of Marriage Care, that does a lot of Counselling and takes a non-judgmental important work for couples across the view focusing on the relationship of diocese, is in need of help itself couples. especially in Norfolk. Terry and Pat Sibthorpe are helping to The organization needs more organize the recruitment drive. counsellors to help couples build the Terry said: “Some people might think foundations of a good marriage and to we are just another church group or from help them overcome the difficulties they outside the church. may encounter along the way. “We provide marriage preparation Some examples of the Like most organizations they also day-long courses designed to encourage need people to help in the day-to-day couples to explore their hopes and flower group’s work routines - the office work. expectations for their future lives. They They are looking for people in their also explore a ‘tool-box’ of ways to 30s preferably in a long term confront disagreements and arrive at a relationship themselves and with some win-win solution whenever possible. experience of life’s ups and downs. “We provide a counselling service for Volunteers will be given full training when something has gone wrong and our Francis Grubb, Jill Prestt, Eileen Doyle, Joan MacInnes, Barbara Scrutton and Judy Howman and that will continue during the time trained counsellors are people who listen they work with Marriage Care. They will and give advice.” also have the support of the group they If you feel that you can give your time are working with as well as trained and commitment to Marriage care please supervisors. contact Pat of Terry Sibthorpe on 01603 Marriage Care is a registered charity, a 897652 to start the ball rolling. Newiscerning eyes vestments will have and apostles’ days. toof the crossorder in shades of grey give a noticed that new sets of So far vestments and decorations three dimensional effect an idea vestments are being used in purple and green have been made developed by Barbara. for services at St John’s Cathedral as the group moves through the She has also designed the latest set Interest in Dand the latest chasuble to be made colours. of green vestments which are almost was worn by Fr James to celebrate Barbara said: “We also knit and complete and the discerning eye is Canadian nun Some of the group in front of one of their more visible displays - the colourful lectern on the altar at St John’s Cathedral the 40th anniversary of his embroider items to sell at Christmas called for here again. ordination. and Easter to raise money to pay for The design is taken from the growing A group of people is working cloth, threads and other materials.” ironwork on the doors of the Interest is growing in the spirituality of a behind the scenes at the Cathedral to The group has been established for cathedral. Canadian nun who was a member of the replace worn out vestments and to about five years and one of their big The group meets on Tuesday Congregation of Jesus and Mary, which Silver jubilee for ‘flower angels’ create new ones. fundraisers is the sale of Easter afternoons at Cathedral House in has a house in Felixstowe. served the cathedral for many years. handle a wide range of blooms to create group that keeps the Barbara Scrutton is leading this chicks and now they are making Norwich to work and discuss plans, A conference at the Lateran University Cathedral looking Maureen Fitzmaurice has also been a their displays. member from the early days and said the Along the way they have become seven-strong team called St John’s Christmas tree decorations from designs and fundraising but much of in Rome last month discussed the colourful is celebrating group puts in a special effort for the great involved in successful flower festivals in Embroiderers who meet weekly to unwanted women’s tights. the painstaking work of stitching and sanctity and spirituality of Blessed Dina its Silver Jubilee this year. feasts and diocesan events. conjunction with the Anglican Cathedral talk about themes for the vestments, Barbara said the group was embroidery is done by the group at Bellanger and interest in her is growing Visitors and parishioners often admire But often individual members of the in Norwich, they have found missing ways of raising money to support founded originally when she was home. especially among young seminarians A their work and to carry out the asked if blue banners could be made Barbara said they are always and religious. the colourful and interesting altar flower group such as Rosa Ravina are seen daily foundation stones, dressed the cathedral displays, the garlands around St John’s watering the displays to ensure they retain for Masses of Thanksgiving for bishops, intricate craft which results in fine to decorate the Cathedral for the looking for new hands to help them Blessed Dina was born in Canada in statue, the arrangements St Joseph’s their colour for as long as possible. the diocese, for ordinations and visits. new vestments and altar decoration. ordination of Bishop Michael and and are willing to to carry out work 1897 and lived till she was 32 years old chapel, Our Lady of Walsingham and the It is this behind the scenes work of To mark the 10th anniversary, Jenny The team makes chasubles, these are still in use. for other parishes. making her vows as a member of the baptismal font. mounting the displays and taking great said, four members of the group depicted dalmatics, copes and altar panels in “One of the big advantages of Alongside the new work running congregation at Sillery, Quebec, in Blessed Dina Bellanger Other areas of the cathedral are decked care to nurture the blooms that ensures the diocesan coat of arms in flowers. the traditional colours of the liturgy. making the vestments ourselves is repairs have to made to existing August 1923. out in a similar fashion and at great feasts colour all year round at the cathedral. They enlisted the help of the the City These are green, purple, white and the saving. Chasubles alone can cost vestments and tears caused by Sr Thomas More, a member of the through her union with God and the like Christmas and Easter, at diocesan To mark the Silver Jubilee Jenny Parks and Gardens department to provide red and are worn on suitable days - up to £700.” microphone clips are regular Religious of Jesus and Mary community suffering she endured for the people of events and, in the past, at weddings it is a Warrington produced a booklet outlining pot grown plants for the visit of ferias, Lent, Advent, feasts, martyrs’ On the new purple set depictions problems. at Felixstowe, said : “She had to the world. mass of colour and scent. overcome defects in her character with “She allowed Christ to act in her at the great events the St John’s Cathedral Archbishop Barbarito, the Apostolic The Cathedral is reaching out It is as if some ‘flower angel’ visits in the help of God’s Grace. every moment of her life and gradually Flower Group have been involved in over Nuncio. more and more to different the night and the cathedral is transformed “She was wilful by nature and went she ‘emptied out her human tendencies’ the last 25 years as well as the humorous They also go on trips as a break from sections of the community. but the reality is that a dedicated group of through the ordinary stages of childhood as Jesus substituted his will and spirit in occasions. their work and once were involved in a For the third year running, we women raise money to finance the and adolescence gradually overcoming her. She describes how the group was treasure quest. welcomed around 2,000 visitors arrangements, they discuss designs, buy the difficulties of her temperament.” “She had a practical vision of the founded after the housekeeper who ‘did’ A Chinese looking pot was found among during the 2007 Heritage Open the blooms and painstakingly create the It was said that she was artistic, gifted world and of human weakness when the flowers became too ill to continue the odds and ends inherited when the Days (6 to 9 September). This display everyone admires so much. musically and would gaze at length in faced with temptation. She knew she working. group took over their work from the is the one time in the year when Today the group is about 17 strong and wonderment at the beauties of nature must accept the Cross wholeheartedly, That was a week before Easter so they housekeeper. heritage sites all over the Brigid Dowler, one of the founding which drew her close to God. offering everything with Jesus for the met, they saw the challenge and they After visits to various so-called experts country allow access to things members, is still one of the leading Sr Thomas More said: “She was also redemption of the world. conquered the task of preparing the including professors in the belief the pot and places that you normally members. very intelligent and her parents hoped “She understood the power of the cathedral for Easter 1982. was Quing dynasty it was finally put up cannot see. She said at its peak the group had about she would become a great musician and Eucharist to transform us from within They have never looked back. Through for auction and went for £16 which of In our case, Barbara 25 members but there are many who have discussion, study and workshops they now course went to the flowers fund. so they gave her every opportunity to and developed a habit of conversing Scrutton our Sacristan and her develop this talent, encouraging her to with the Lord in prayer. team put together a splendid practise the piano to attain the highest “Her sisters in religious life admired Advent and Christmas exhibition of vestments (see standard possible.” her solid virtues and from her writings WorkRoof has begun releadedon a new phase of Mass and in the Cathedral welcome for his flock. and a twilightto tripvisitors up the tower. pictures) and plate. However, she was drawn to the we know that the more she became releading part of the Cathedral and tower With the enormous increase in our Father James Walsh, Cathedral Dean, There were organ recitals religious life and joined the absorbed in Christ the more she longed at the Cathedral each lunchtime and on the roof. Scaffolding began to be erected on regional Polish population, there is now said: “Our Cathedral is becoming a focal Sunday 9th December, 3pm congregation whose mission is to make to communicate to the world the secret Saturday afternoon there was an 24 September and work will take several a Mass in the Polish language every point for visitors both local and national. Advent Carol Service 2007 followed by seasonal Jesus and Mary known and loved chiefly of the happiness she had discovered and opportunity to ‘come and sing’ months to complete. Saturday at 4 pm. For the past six “As the Mother Church of the diocese refreshments in the hall. by means of the Christian education of by which she lived. The total cost of the work is £165,000, months, the hall has been used as a drop- it has a special welcome for Catholics in led by Chris Duarte, the youth. “Her great desire was to bring souls to and will be part-funded by a grant from in centre for a refugee group from East Anglia. Christmas Eve, 6pm Cathedral Director of Music. “Her teaching career was brief as Dina God who loves us all in spite of English Heritage. Congo. “We especially hope that more parish Christmas Mass for families and children The Tower Guides offered the contracted an infectious disease which ourselves - that was her mission in life.” During the summer we had visits from Recently a large group of Norwich city groups will come and visit, perhaps for a ever-popular tours of the upper prevented her from working actively and Blessed Dina was beatified by Pope Christmas Eve, 11.30 pm several pilgrim groups visiting councillors, many of whom had never guided tour, a trip up the tower, and stay reaches of the cathedral, and forced her into isolation from the John Paul II in March 1993 and the Carols in the Cathedral, followed by the First Mass of Walsingham. In September, a large visited us before came to hear about the for a cup of coffee. Jacky Staples and her helpers community and students. congregation is now waiting for the Christmas at Midnight group from Wrexham included the Cathedral’s work in the community, and “Why not combine it with a shopping provided wonderful “It was during this period of her life approval of a miracle so canonization Christmas Day Masses at 9am and 11am , who celebrated a number of them enjoyed a guided tour expedition to Norwich?’ refreshments. that she probably did most good, can take place. Page Eight November 2007 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY

Around the Diocese Ourearly 3,000Lady pilgrims Bishop of Michael many for the celebrations, culturesnations and countries to be family- met at Walsingham along with many ethnic chaplains makers, serving the true Catholic for the annual Dowry and other clergy. unity of God’s family, the Church. of Mary Pilgrimage. They At noon, national flags and He stressed that Catholic unity was banners were brought forward, and more than lots of different groups Pilgrims brought their cultures with them to the celebration came from all over the N the Lord’s Prayer said in many existing side-by-side, each following country on Racial Justice languages. At the Mass, the Gospel their own flag, with little contact Sunday and created a multi- was read in different languages, and with each other. It is good for people national, multi-cultural and during and after Communion, songs to preserve their language and multi-ethnic celebration. were sung by groups from Ghana, traditions, but not in a way that cuts Among the pilgrims were Zimbabwe, India and the people off from each other. Belarussians, Brazilians, Chinese, Philippines. “We should share our gifts and our Congolese, Filipinos, French- The procession down the Holy lives with each other. We should be speaking Africans, Ghanaians, Mile was a colourful affair, and a single family, united in love as Hungarians, Keralans from India, during Benediction Filipino and disciples of the Lord with Mary his Lithuanians, Nigerians, Romanians, Tamil songs of adoration were sung. mother.” Tamils from Sri Lanka, Vietnamese Throughout the day, there was a Bishop Michael challenged and people from Zimbabwe. wonderful sense of being one family, everyone present to go back to their Bishop and Bishop closely united in our diversity. parishes and to work to bring people Bernard Longley, auxiliary bishops In his homily at Mass, Bishop together, whatever their language, in Westminster diocese, joined Michael appealed to people from all race, culture or nation of origin.

AHomecoming mediaeval feast known as Our Bishop Michael celebration led a twilight Our Lady of the Harvest. Lady’s Homecoming was procession from the chapel of Our “The statue would be taken to a celebrated in Suffolk during the Lady and St Ann at the Anglican chapel outside the town to rest summer. church to return the statue to its overnight, probably St A statue of the Blessed Virgin had nearby shrine. Bartholomew’s Priory, and next spent a night in a chapel at St “In the Middle Ages Sudbury’s evening it would be brought home Gregory’s Anglican church Shrine would have been visited by in a joyful procession reputed to be the site of the many pilgrims making their way accompanied by lights, sheaves of original shrine to Our Lady of to the shrine at Bury St Edmunds corn and barrels of wine. Sudbury until 1537. and Walsingham,” parish priest Fr “The mediaeval festival It was restored at the church of Peter Rollings said. celebrated the harvest, Mary as the Our Lady and St John the “It was the custom each year to first fruits of the harvest of Evangelist in the presence of about remove the Blessed Virgin’s statue Christian souls and her 4000 pilgrims in 1937 exactly 400 from the shrine on the Saturday homecoming symbolized the joy years after its destruction of the following the Assumption known in heaven at Jesus Christ’s reunion The stature of Our Lady being carried back to St John the Evangelist church orders of King Henry VIII. across East Anglia as the feast of with his mother,” Fr Peter said.

Rawan’s TheRogation tradition of Rogation day back to Suffolk Mass and blessing of the fields was restored by surprise parishioners in Suffolk, this year. A group of parishioners at visitIt was a big surprise for many St Edmunds church in people at St. Peter & All Souls Bungay, with friends from to see Rawan, a member of other denominations, the Holy Family Parish in gathered at Mutt’s Farm in Ramallah, in Peterborough “If he goes out of the West “It seemed that she had Denton on a morning in during the CWL Summer Bank, he will not be allowed been a friend of the parish for May for a service and Garden Party. to go back to his parish again. a long time.” blessing. The Peterborough parish “The political situation in Fr David was astonished to Fr Charles Fitzgerald- has been twinned with the the area has made life very receive a request from Evelyn Lombard OSB and Fr Holy Family in Ramallah for difficult for a priest like Fr Day, a member of the parish, Roger Spencer from nearly four years. Aktham.” to help Rawan to visit Southwold concelebrated A lot of email, letters, and Fr David Jennings said: Peterborough again this year. Mass and this was followed Christmas cards have been “Rawan's first trip to England After a lot of paperwork by a procession led by a exchanged between the two was not only a great joy for and telephone calls, including horse and phaeton driven Procession makes their way to the fields in a traditional way parishes. her, but for the whole parish the special help from the by farm owner Elizabeth To get in touch with the editor Patrick Fr John Minh has led three of St. Peter & All Souls. Italian Sisters, Rawan came to Adeane to bless the fields. Byrne the details are listed below. groups to visit but said it is “She talked to the Peterborough. The prayers and homily Our Diocesan Family, The White House, extremely difficult for Fr parishioners during all five Everybody was surprised to touched upon God’s 21 Upgate, Poringland, Norfolk Aktham, the parish priest of Sunday Masses, attended a see Rawan, pictured above bountiful creation and a NR14 7SH. the Holy Family, to pay a Taize prayer session, and with Fr David, again at CWL farmers’ breakfast was Tel/Fax: 01603 627409 and reciprocal visit to visited many convents as well Summer Garden Party with served to the 40 people who email: [email protected] Peterborough. as families. the brilliant smile on her face. attended. November 2007 Page Eleven OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY BUILDING BRIDGES in Cambodia and the Holy Land

More news from Nikum Music in Birzeit Our main Cambodian project this year has been OLEM in Cambridge is twinned with supporting the small Catholic community at Nikum, Birzeit on the West Bank, Palestine. near Battambang. The priest who looks after this The parish priest, Fr Aziz, and the head community is Fr Gabby, a Filipino Jesuit. He writes to teacher wrote to explain how £5,000 give us a further update on what has been going on had been spent in the Latin Patriarchate in the village: school there. May God bless you all and fill your life with happiness. Kindergarten Closing Ceremony This is a very practical example of how our diocesan and parish In July we held the closing ceremony of the trial period of twinnings are making a real impact on Fr Aziz Halaweh Parish priest of Bir Zeit Nikum’s kindergarten. We started in February, initially people’s lives. intending only three months. But the elders of the community, Miss Rawand Musallam Head teacher together with our one and only teacher, decided to extend the The £5,000 pounds was used as follows: trial period a couple of months more, ending at the same time as the government school year. 1 Salaries for two teachers for music and special LAST CHANCE TO HELP? education: US$6,750 The children’s mothers came for the ceremony, together with friends and other guests. Some children with disabilities from 2. Internet Connection: US$2,020 Our two main diocesan ‘Building Bridges’ projects this the Arrupe Welcome Centre in Battambang (the place where I year are helping to re-roof the church at Zababdeh in also work and live) also came. All 16 children we started with 3. Student fees: US$2,000 Palestine, and supporting the kindergarten at the small and happily finished the trial period. The three best students very poor Catholic community at Nikum. We will start new received special gifts, which included more pencils and The music teacher and special education teacher had a good projects in January, so this is your last chance to support the notebooks. After the ceremony, the flag was lowered and we had impact on our students this year. The teacher of music is a young 2007 projects. Cheques should be made payable to the ‘RC some snacks inside the church. Some guests, like the woman who gave one music lesson every week for each grade Diocese of East Anglia’. kindergarten teachers from another Catholic community, found from the 1st to 6th grade. the sheep interesting. First name……………………………...... …… This made a good impression on the children and their parents, because for many of them it is the first time that they have Surname...... studied music theory, which is something new and important for them. Title (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms, etc) …......

These classes gives them the basic theories and knowledge of Address……………………………………...... ……. music so they can continue to improve their knowledge on music in the future at the music school of “Kufia” in Birzeit or …………………………………………...... ……… at the National Conservatory of Music in Ramallah. ………………………………………...... ………… The study of music is important also for our children at this time because it can help them psychologically to relieve their Postcode……………. Amount enclosed………….....….. frustrations because of the difficult situation that they and their families live in Palestine. Anything you give will be divided equally between Nikum and Zababdeh, unless you indicate below by ticking one or The special education program was also good and helped some other that all your money should go to that project: children to resolve their academic problems. The teacher looked Your community’s generous gift of US$10,856 and another after the students who faced difficulties in classes and exams. person’s donation of US$6,000, have enabled us to dream of a NIKUM (Cambodia) …… bigger plot of land and even a new kindergarten school! We are Other role of this teacher was resolving some problems of ZABABDEH (Palestine) …… so happy about this! We presently have two teachers for the behaviour that students have with their colleagues or teachers. school. Socheata, is a teacher from Battambang who taught during the kindergarten trial period. She was happy about the For the internet, we now have good connection at 20 computers GIFT AID DECLARATION (if appropriate) experience and is looking forward to begin one full year. The in the school that the students use during the classes on I wish the RC Diocese of East Anglia to reclaim tax on other new teacher is Kunthia, a resident of Nikum. Both teachers technology and other classes under the supervision of the this donation. I have paid an amount of UK tax or capital are with us and are getting ready to teach forty to forty five teacher of computer science. gains tax equal to any tax claimed. children from the end of October. .. They also use the internet to search for some subjects in order The plan for the school is simple: two classrooms and one to write studies on the Catechism, English and Arabic language, Signed………………………………………...... … library, made out of wood with cement flooring. We are still science, history and technology. thinking about the material of the roof, whether it will be iron or Date…………………………...... coconut leaves. I am personally excited about the library. We It helped them a lot to have free access, and to type their dream of a place with tables and books where the older children homework when they do not have computer or internet access Please send to: can come to read and study their lessons! We hope with the in their homes. Finally with this amount we helped 20 students Bishop Michael, ‘Building Bridges’, 21 Upgate, remaining money we can get books and more educational to pay their school fees (US$100 for each student). Poringland, Norwich, NR14 7SH materials. We renew our deep thanks and gratitude to all of you in the Fr Gabriel Lamug-Nanawa S.J. Registered charity no. 278742 OLEM parish and the school. Page Twelve November 2007 OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY BISHOP MICHAEL’S ENGAGEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER NOVEMBER all week in Leeds 27th Cambridgeshire Ecumenical 11th Visit to Peterborough Prison 17-18th Parish Visitation to Hadleigh Council and Hospital 4th Confirmations Great 20th Enthronement of new Bishop of 28th Ongoing Formation Day for Clergy 12th Christian-Muslim Forum at Yarmouth 11pm St Edmundbury & Ipswich at Poringland Lambeth Palace th 6th Norfolk Church Leaders and St Edmund’s, Bungay, 350 29th Diocesan College of Consultors 13th Diocesan Finance Board Churches Together from noon anniversary Mass of Mission at Poringland at 4pm at Poringland 7th CAFOD Memorial Mass for 21st East of England Church 15-16th Parish Visitation to deceased supporters at St Mary’s, Leaders meeting (10.30-3.00) DECEMBER St Laurence’s, Ipswich at 7.30pm 22nd Diocesan Schools Service in Cambridge 9th Mass with Diocesan Head Commission at Poringland th 1 -2nd Parish Visitation to Southwold 17 Presentation evening Teachers at Poringland at 3pm Mass at Margaret Beaufort th at St Benedicts School Confirmations at Bury St Edmunds Institute, Cambridge at 6.30pm 3-6 International Methodist/Catholic Bury St Edmunds at 7.30pm rd Working Group Meeting in Rome 23 Confirmations at March at 7.30pm 24th Christmas Masses at HMP th th 10 Diocesan Council of Laity 24th Diocesan ‘Learning Together’ study 8 Vocations Morning at Ditchingham Wayland (tbc) at Poringland th day (Confirmation) 9 Confirmations at Walsingham 25th Midnight Mass at th 11 Diocesan Youth Council Poringland 26th British Catholic/Methodist 10th Emergency Services Carol Service St John’s Cathedral 12 -15th Bishops’ Conference meeting Committee in London at Norwich Cathedral at 7.30pm Mass at Norwich Prison

VCAFODiewing Supporter Duncan CAFOD schemes MacInnes, of St John’s Cathedral Parish in Norwich, recently spent a week in Tanzania and Kenya visiting projects funded by the agency’s World Gifts scheme. Duncan, a governor at Notre Dame High School, met several children who are able to go to school thanks to ‘School Starter Kits,’ purchased by UK people. “It was fantastic to be able to meet these children, and see for myself the difference that gifts like these can make.” The starter kits, which cost £7 each, allow families to buy essentials such as books and pens, as well as helping out with school Duncan MacInnes sees another side of life in Africa fees. catalogue for this Christmas, and Christmas,” Duncan said. About 1000 of these kits were an invaluable tool which allows “They can really have an impact bought by supporters in East projects such as this to reach out to on lives in the developing world, Anglia last year. vulnerable people in isolated or and if nothing else, it shows a lot Duncan also visited a healthcare inaccessible areas. more thought than the usual socks project in Tanzania which uses With goats being one of the most or aftershave!” bicycles to deliver food and popular gifts last year, Duncan If you’d like to hear more about medical care to people living in also visited a livestock project, one the trip, Duncan is available to remote parts of the country. of many funded by the scheme. speak to schools or parish groups, The bicycle is a new World Gift “I’d encourage everyone to and can be contacted through the which has been added to the consider World Gifts this diocesan office.

FairMore than 60%trade of parishes responded campaign to a serve fairly traded tea/coffee gr afterowing Mass and questionnaire sent out by the steering group 38% at parish events. aiming for Fairtrade Status for the diocese. “This shows how faith is put into practice by This reveals the progress made towards the ensuring we support rather than exploit poorly “five goals” required to gain certification. paid farmers and producers. Bernard Shaw from Cambridge said: “Goal 1 “Goal 4 is to attract media coverage and help is to support and promote Fairtrade, encourage increase awareness of the Fairtrade mark. the use and sale of Fairtrade products and serve “We fulfilled that goal by articles in ‘Our Fairtrade tea and coffee at diocesan meetings. Diocesan Family’ and occasional articles in “Fairtrade tea and coffee are used exclusively local papers outlining the benefits of Fairtrade at Poringland, the venue for most diocesan to producers in developing countries.” meetings and at some parishes. A Learning Together Study Day on Fairtrade “Goal 2 is to encourage parishes and is planned for 10 May 2008. to adopt the same policy and to Bernard adds goal 5 is to set up a Fairtrade display literature advertising the fact that steering group to monitor these goals continue Fairtrade products are used and served there. to be met and developed. Under the Justice & “Over a third of our Parishes publicise the Peace Commission, the Steering Group has met parish stall and Fairtrade Fortnight. regularly since October 2006.” “Goal 3 is to ensure Fairtrade tea, coffee and The survey also indicates that members of the other products are used and/or sold by more Catholic community are active in promoting than a third of parishes in the Diocese. Fairtrade Status “Well, we easily exceed that Target! 47% of You can contact the Steering Group via parishes have a regular Traidcraft stall, 56% Bernard Shaw on 01223 240207