Welcome to the Catholic Parish of Stamford Saint Mary and Saint Augustine The Presbytery, 13 Broad Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PG Telephone: (01780) 762010 Parish Website: www.catholicstamford.com Parish Priest: Father Simon Gillespie Mobile: 07760 372105 Email: [email protected] Deacon: Reverend Charles West-Sadler (retired) Parish Secretary: Lauren Senior Telephone: (01780) 762010 Email: [email protected] Parish Safeguarding Representative: Tony Williams Telephone: 01780 756456 Email: [email protected] Parish Director of Music: Ruth Proctor Mobile: 07826 017487 Email: [email protected] Parish Hall Manager: Anna Barwell Mobile: 07789 283140 Email: [email protected] Parish Primary School: Saint Augustine’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Stamford (01780) 762094 Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham Diocesan Website: www.dioceseofnottingham.uk Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Company Number: 7151646 Charity Number: 1134449

Fourth 7th and 8th September 2019 : Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year

Were today not Sunday we’d celebrate the Birthday of Our Blessed Lady. If you look closely in Saint Joseph’s chapel you’ll see Mary as a child, with her parents, Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, pictured in the stained glass there. In her honour is a short extract from one of the sermons of Blessed Abbot Guerric, entitled ‘Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of Christians’. Mary bore only one Son. In heaven, he is the only- begotten of the Father; on earth, likewise, he is the only- begotten of his Mother. She who is the only Virgin-Mother, she who glories in having borne the only-begotten of the Father, embraces that same only-begotten of hers in all his members so she can truly be called mother of all in whom she sees that Christ her Son has been formed or is being formed. The first Eve is not so much a mother as a stepmother since she handed on to her children an inheritance of certain death rather than the beginning of light. She is indeed called the mother of all the living, but she turned out to be more precisely the murderer of the living, or mother of the dead, since the only fruit of her child-bearing was death. And as Eve was incapable of fulfilling the vocation of her title, Mary consummated the mystery. She herself, like the Church of which she is the type, is a mother of all who are reborn to life. She is in fact the mother of the Life by which everyone lives, and when she brought it forth from herself she in some way brought to rebirth all those who were to live by that Life. Thus the blessed Mother of Christ, knowing that she is the mother of all Christians by reason of this mystery, shows herself a mother by her care and loving attention. For her heart is not hardened against these children as if they were not her own; her womb carried a child once only, yet it remains ever fruitful, never ceasing to bring forth the fruits of her motherly compassion. In short, if the Servant of Christ by his care and heartfelt tenderness bears his little children again and again until Christ be formed in them, how much more is this true of the very Mother of Christ? Paul begot his children by preaching the word of truth through which they were born again; but Mary in a manner far more holy and like to God, by giving birth to the Word himself. I do indeed praise the ministry of preaching in Paul, but far more do I admire and venerate that mystery of generation in Mary. Then again, is it not true that her children seem to recognise her as their Mother by a kind of instinctive devotion which faith gives them as second nature, so that first and foremost in all their needs and dangers they run to call upon her name just as children run to their mother’s breast? So I think it is quite reasonable to understand of these children that promise of the Prophet to her: ‘Your children shall live in you’; provided that the prophecy is always understood to refer principally to the Church. Already we really dwell in the help of the Mother of the Most High; we do live in her protection, as if under the shadow of her wing. And afterwards in participating in her glory we shall be cherished as if in her bosom. Then a single cry of rejoicing and thanksgiving will be heard addressed to this Mother: ‘The dwelling place of all of us who rejoice and are glad is in you, holy Mother of God.’

Father Simon leaving : Father Peter arriving

Father Simon leaves on Sunday 22nd September. He’ll celebrate the three regular Sunday Masses that weekend, and there’ll be opportunity after each for parishioners to say goodbye. On Sunday afternoon Vespers will be celebrated as usual at 5.00pm, to which members of Churches Together in Stamford will be invited and parishioners are very much invited too of course. After Vespers there will be a glass of fizz in the parish hall to celebrate Father Simon’s four years’ ministry in Stamford. Father Peter Vellacott will arrive during the following week and will celebrate Mass on Friday 27th September at 10.00am, and then the usual Sunday Masses. There will be opportunity after each for parishioners to introduce themselves and make Father Peter very welcome in his new parish. A collection has been taken to make a presentation to Father Simon; if anyone missed it, envelopes are available at the back of church, and can be put into the main collection at any time. We pray for both Father Simon and Father Peter in these days of transition. Presbytery Safety

Work is in progress in the presbytery so take care by the building site when going into the parish hall. Please note that a temporary footpath has been laid over the lawn to enable safer access into the parish hall. The compound by the front wall has now been removed, making access to the church door a little easier. Remember to put any post into the post-box in the church porch, or pop into the parish office in the front half of the parish hall. Thank you for your continuing patience whilst this building and refurbishment work is ongoing.

Refurbishment Update

The final structural elements of the Annex are now complete, with the external areas to the front and side of the annex being relaid and re-concreted. Parishioners might notice the removal of the plants to the left of the presbytery front door, which reveal the lovely stonework much more clearly, as well as giving better access to the annex and hall. Internal decorative work is on-going, mainly downstairs in the sitting room and the front office. Unfortunately there’s suspected asbestos located in one of the walls of the sacristy, meaning this room is presently unable to be worked in until tests have been undertaken and then the area of wall removed. Because of the work in the sacristy daily Mass will be celebrated in Saint Joseph’s chapel each day, and confessions heard in church, since the confessionals are being used for storage. It’s still hoped that the majority of the refurbishment of the existing presbytery will be completed by 13th September, and the Annex by 20th September. After this it will be necessary to move everything back into the presbytery in time for Father Peter’s arrival, and to allow parishioners to visit the presbytery and annex, and see the completed work, over the weekend of Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September. Thanks to everyone for their patience during this work, and active support of the fundraising and donations!

The Pope’s Prayer Intentions for September

The Protection of the Oceans That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world's seas and oceans. Changes to Mass times this week

Please note that Mass on Monday will be celebrated at 11.00am in our parish primary school, to bless the forthcoming year. All are very welcome. Mass on Thursday will be celebrated at 7.30am, with a consequential cancelling of Adoration and Benediction that evening. There is an additional Mass next Saturday, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

This Sunday’s newsletter

This Sunday’s newsletter is a little longer than usual, including some articles which have been sent to Father Simon over the summer and which haven’t previously found an airing. Don’t feel you have to read everything if it’s too long!

Forthcoming Events in our parish, community and diocese

New items are listed with a grey background

The Parish Film Night will be showing Eddie the Eagle, on Saturday 7th September in the parish hall at 7.15pm (after Mass). All are welcome – Popcorn available!

Songs of Praise will be recorded on Wednesday 11th September at De Montford Hall, Leicester, from 6.30pm. Further information, including how to apply for tickets, from 0116 233 3311 or see the poster in the church porch.

God in my life: Invitation, Mission, Gratitude (Saturday talk) will be given by Deacon Seamus O’Looskan at the Rosmini Centre on Saturday 14th September at 2.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or [email protected].

The Diocesan SPANNED Mass for those with special needs, their families, friends and carers, will be celebrated by Patrick on Saturday 14th September at Saint Peter, Hinckley, at 2.30 pm. For more information please contact Father Frank Daly: [email protected]

Churches Together in Stamford holds its quarterly Forum Meeting in Saint Augustine’s parish hall on Monday 16th September at 7.30pm. All are very welcome!

A First Aid Session including refreshments and a Bake Sale will be hosted by the British Red Cross on Tuesday 17th September at 2.00pm in the United Reform Church; all are welcome, see the poster in the porch for more information. The Letter of Saint James (scripture talk) will be given by Father Belsito IC at the Rosmini Centre on Tuesday 17th September at 7.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or [email protected].

Evergreen’s Annual Open Meeting and Volunteer Awards Night will be held on Thursday 19th September from 6.30pm at Barn Hill Methodist Church, and is open to all. Details on the poster in the porch

A Healing Mass will be given celebrated at the Rosmini Centre on Friday 20th September at 7.00pm, concluding with the Rosary – details from 01509 813078 or [email protected].

Sarah de Nordwell will present an evening of Christian poetry in Walsingham on Friday 20th September at 7.30pm. Tickets, available on the door, cost £5. See the poster in the porch for more details.

The Rutland Theological Society hosts Revisiting Apologetics given by Rev’d Angela Tilby on Thursday 26th September at 7.30pm in Oakham Methodist church. More details from Rev’d Peter Lemmon (secretary) on 01780 720730.

Lectio Divina will be held at the Rosmini Centre on Saturday 28th September starting at 3.00pm – further details from 01509 813078 or [email protected].

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be held on Sunday 29th September, the theme this year is “It is not just about migrants”. With this theme, wants to stimulate our prayer and action by reflecting on ways in which migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons and victims of human trafficking can be understood as being part of a wider concern for all marginalised people.

A fully escorted Pilgrimage to Knock shrine, Ireland, will begin on 30th September. Contact Patricia on 01268 762 278 or email [email protected] More details are available on the poster in the porch.

Cafod’s Harvest Fast Day will be held on Friday 4th October, with a collection taken for the work of Cafod on Sunday 6th October. It’s hoped to have a speaker about this year’s particular theme at Masses on the Sunday before.

The Image of Our Lady of Walsingham will visit our Cathedral in Nottingham between Thursday 10th and Saturday 12th October. Watch out for more information about the liturgies and celebrations to mark this historic occasion. Evergreen is hosting a Charity Dinner and Dance on Friday 11th October at the William Cecil Hotel. Tickets cost £35; see the poster in the porch for details.

The Parish Film Club will meet on Friday 11th October (note the change of date) to view Last Vegas. All are welcome – popcorn will be available.

Stamford Street Pastors’ AGM will be held on Sunday 13th October at ChristChurch, Green Lane, Stamford, at 6.00pm, with guest speaker (Anglican) Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain of Grantham. RSVP to [email protected]

The United Reformed Church building on Star Lane (around the corner from our church) is 200 years old this year, and a weekend of celebrations is planned for Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October. See the poster in the porch, and consider visiting this church, especially if you’ve never been before.

The Bishop’s Spiritual Theme for Advent

Our spiritual theme, given by Bishop Patrick, for the Advent period will once again be ‘encounter’. The Bishop asks that we begin to think about this now, and to provide support and encouragement, David Wells will return to lead a preparation session on Tuesday 24th September, from 7.00pm (with coffee and tea from 6.30pm) until about 9.00pm at Saint Peter and Saint Paul parish centre, Lincoln. If you’re happy to attend and help represent the parish please speak with Father Simon.

October : The Extraordinary Month of Mission

October 2019 is the month designated by the Holy Father with “the aim of fostering an increased awareness of the Mission ad gentes and taking up again with renewed fervour the missionary transformation of the Church’s life and pastoral activity, and helping communities grow in missionary and evangelising zeal”. Missio has prepared some material for October, which can be found at: https://missio.org.uk/emm

Parish Friendship Group

These events are open to all parishioners and friends both male and female.

Thursday 19th September In the parish hall from 10.00am until 12.00noon – Coffee morning with light refreshments – Bring along any knitting, sewing or crafts you are working on or just come along for coffee and a chat. Tuesday 8th October A visit to Sue Ryder in Peterborough for lunch. We visited last year for afternoon tea and it was excellent as well as supporting this local charity. The Christ Church bus is not available that day so it will be a matter of arranging your own transport with each other.

Thursday 21st November Lourdes In the parish hall from 10.00am until 12.00noon – Parishioners would like to share their experience of a recent trip to Lourdes as well as a parishioner who has been a support nurse in the past. Others may wish to contribute their experiences. Details will be given of dates and plans for next year as well as a possible savings scheme which the PFG may be able to offer. There could be a repeat of this event on the evening of Friday 22nd November at 7.00pm until 9.00pm for people who cannot attend in the morning if enough interest is shown. Tea / coffee and light refreshments will be available.

Monday 2nd December Saint Barnabas Cathedral A visit to Saint Barnabas Cathedral in Nottingham. A luxury bus trip with Shaws, leaving Stamford at 10.30am. A short tour of the Cathedral and the option of Mass at 1.00pm followed by free time in Nottingham for Christmas shopping or sightseeing. Cost will be around £15. For this trip we would like to gauge the interest so please ring Maria (01780 762657) or Bridget (01780 482170) to let them know of your interest by 21st September. This is the 175th anniversary of the Cathedral and many parishioners have never been there. It would be good to have a parish outing this year.

Thursday 12th December In the parish hall from 2.00pm until 4.00pm – Coffee and light refreshments – making table decorations for Christmas.

Ideas for 2020: Garden party; Behind the scenes at Tolethorpe; Cookery demonstration and tasting session by top chef; Talk on Power of Attorney; Short events to mark our patron saints: Saint Andrew (30th November), Saint David (1st March), Saint Patrick (17th March), Saint George (23rd April).

Forthcoming Fundraising Events

Please make a note of these two dates, and help our parish with the fundraising needed for the presbytery refurbishment works, whilst also having a great evening! • Saturday 12th October a Harvest Supper in the parish hall, after the 6.00pm Vigil Mass. Tickets, available soon, will be £8.00. • Saturday 9th November a Quiz Night, featuring Tom Jordan as returning quiz master. Tickets, available to all, will be available soon. The God who Speaks : A Year of the Word : 2019-‘20

Scripture lies at the centre of everything the Church does. In 2020, the 10th anniversary of Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini, and in conjunction with the Bible Society, the ’ Conference of England and Wales is undertaking a special year, with the focus on the Word of God. Catholics in England and Wales will be celebrating, living and sharing God’s word with this exciting new initiative. Throughout the year there will a range of events, activities and resources to participate in all around the country. The year will be launched in Advent, and materials for our parish to begin planning will be available this month.

Documentary about Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, Leicestershire

The Abbot of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey has sent details of a documentary which is planned to be aired on television, about the Abbey and their community of twenty- five monks. The Producer, Nick Hamer, has set up a Facebook page to present his forthcoming documentary. He has been working with the community over the past three years. The page can be accessed which features the trailer, without being signed up to Facebook. In the past month alone, over 54,000 people have watched this trailer. The link is: http://www.facebook.com/outsidethecityfilm

Pope Francis Visits Africa

Pope Francis arrived in Mozambique at 6pm local time on Wednesday, and will spend six days in Africa, until 10th September. During his ten hour flight from , the Pope sent messages to each of the countries he flew over - Greece, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan,Tanzania, Malawi and . On landing in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, the Holy Father was greeted by President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, his wife and a delegation of Bishops. The Holy Father will continue his visit with time in Madagascar and Mauritius, having previous visited (in Africa) Egypt, Kenya, Uganda the Central African Republic and Morocco.

Mission Activity in Wajir, Kenya

Pat Gallagher has asked to thank all those parishioners who helped to raise £1,811.40 during a recent Wajir Mission Day. The fundraising for people in Wajir is now established as an independent charity, separate from the parish accounts. September : Saint Vincent de Paul Awareness Month

Turning Concern into Action Let us do without hesitation whatever good lies at our hands (Blessed Frederic Ozanam) Founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society is a Christ-centred organization whose volunteers all share the same mission; to seek and find those in need, to help them in the spirit of justice and to tackle causes of poverty where we can. The focus of our work at the SVP is visiting and befriending people who are isolated, sick, lonely or housebound and giving our support with compassion and responding where the need is greatest. If you would like to know more about the SVP or if you are interested in joining the Society please get in touch with the President of Saint Augustine’s Parish Conference, Nicholas Armitage, on 07792 301136 or Jacquie Kent on 07962 671360. We would welcome any new members gratefully, and very importantly would ask if you know anyone in our community who would benefit from regular SVP visits to please let us or Father Simon know so that we can help and support them. There are a series of posters on display in the church porch, changing each week during September. They will give information about the work undertaken by the SVP and also our contact details. Our parish conference was re-established three years ago as the parish legacy to the Year of Mercy. Do please consider if you can give some time to this vital lay apostolate. Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another (Saint Vincent de Paul)

Faith in Families

It is time for the Faith in Families (Children's Society) boxes to be emptied. Would all box holders please bring them into church and either give them to Kevin Vinter or leave with Father Simon, as soon as possible. The number of box holders is diminishing year by year and so if anyone would like to support our diocesan charity please consider having a box for loose change, making a donation, or regularly giving. If you would like more information please speak to Kevin or contact him at [email protected] or on 01780 751735. Many thanks! Kevin Vinter

There is also a poster in the church porch about the work of Faith in Families in helping to adopt children, especially those considered hard-to-place. At least one of our parishioners has availed of this beautiful opportunity. Do please consider it. Cardinal Basil Hume on Prayer

To answer the question, “Why does Cardinal Basil Hume’s spirituality still speak to people today?”, I remember something he once told the priests of the Diocese of Westminster: “I think there is a great need to find a way of speaking about God which touches the lives and hearts of our people, because there is a search going on. We have so many riches in our tradition from our collective experience; we have simply got to find a way to communicate.” This year marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Basil Hume (1923- 1999), Benedictine monk, abbot, pastor and preacher. A gifted communicator, he spoke in simple and direct ways about the God he loved, which enabled him to touch the lives and hearts of those who heard his message, attested to by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: “That was his great gift; [Cardinal Hume] drew people to him by his love of God and his deep feeling for humanity. While you were with him you felt enlarged.” The voice of Basil Hume continues to speak to all those who are searching for meaning and purpose in a loud, busy and violent world. He continues to inspire those who hear his message. He speaks as a pastor, not as a specialist theologian; one who often said: “Never forget, we are dealing with people first of all, not principles.” Hume’s spirituality and his personal dedication to prayer give him the ability to relate to other pilgrims who seek the living and true God. Cardinal Hume had the knack of relating to the ordinary believer who struggles with a life of faith, prayer and their growth in relationship with God. Regarding prayer, Hume united himself with all those who struggle, when answering how he as a former monk and then as a bishop prayed: “Oh, I’m such a flop,” he said. On another occasion, he was asked again about prayer. “Oh, I just keep plugging away. At its best it’s like being in a dark room with someone you love. You can’t see them; but you know they’re there.” So, Hume offers a straightforward definition of prayer by adding one word to what we find in the Catechism: “Prayer is trying to raise our minds and hearts to God.” Maintaining a sense of humour, Cardinal Hume encourages us: “No one prays easily at first, just as I think no one really enjoys the first glass of beer. You’ve got to get used to beer, then you get hooked on it and want more and more!” He adds: “Prayer is like that, you have to get hooked but at the beginning it is hard going.” To get us started with prayer, Cardinal Hume tells us to “remember you are trying to get in touch with a Person, and that Person is God – Father, Son or Holy Spirit. He is wanting to get in touch with you.” Furthermore, he said, “always think of God as your lover. Therefore he wants to be with you, just as a lover always wants to be with the beloved. He wants your attention, as every lover wants the attention of the beloved. He wants to listen to you, as every lover wants to hear the voice of the beloved.” We are offered the following tips: first, “Plan to pray; do not leave it to chance. Select a time and a place (a room at home, on the bus, taking a walk).” Second, “Always start by asking the Holy Spirit for help in your prayers. Pray: ‘Come Holy Spirit, teach me to pray; help me do it.’ ” Third, “Decide what you are going to do when you pray – for example, which prayer to select to say slowly or lovingly; or which passage from the Bible to read prayerfully. Sometimes use your own words; sometimes just be silent and still. Follow your inclinations.” Fourth, “If you have distractions, then turn your distractions into your prayer. Lastly, remember, “trying to pray is praying. Never give up trying.” Finally, Basil Hume’s spirituality speaks today through an address given on the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of St Benedict: “Benedict gathered ordinary people around him. Men and women came together in community and followed his Rule in their own monasteries as they still do today. “He gave them a new way of looking at life, precisely because they were to learn to put God at the very centre of their lives. That is the key for all of us.” Putting God at the centre of our lives, then, perhaps Cardinal Hume’s most encouraging words for the faithful, especially when we are overburdened, tired or have just had enough, are ones he once offered to his monks: namely, keep things in perspective. “Never lose your sense of humour – and if you have not got one, then acquire one. A sense of humour is part of humility. Don’t take yourselves too seriously. Take life seriously. Take God seriously. But don’t, please don’t, take yourselves too seriously!” From Sister Gertrude Feick’s new publication ‘Cardinal Basil Hume: A Pilgrim’s Search for God’ (Gracewing, 2019)

Mass Intentions

There are spaces in the parish diary for Masses to be offered for your intentions: a birthday, an anniversary, the repose of a loved one’s soul, or simply for the intentions of someone you feel needs prayers in a special way. Envelopes for Masses are at the back of church, do complete one and drop it in to the presbytery. The suggested offering is £10, but any amount can be given. The Lord’s Prayer

Since it’s deemed unconstitutional to use the Lord’s Prayer in most schools in the United States of America now, one 15 year old school student wrote the following:

Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all.. In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the State..

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks... They've not outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles... But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school’s a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul please take! Amen

If you aren't ashamed to do this, Please pass this on… Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'

Parish Communication and Website

Thanks to those who have started to use the new email addresses for our parish: • [email protected] (for Father Simon, and Father Peter soon) • [email protected] (for Lauren Senior, our parish secretary)

Our new parish is now online at: www.catholicstamford.com At present there is still work to be done to make it fully functional, but please take a little time to look at it and see if you find it easy to use, and whether it has the information you might be looking for. Maybe have a look at other Catholic parish websites to see what they contain, and how ours might be developed and improved. It needs to include all the information parishioners as well as visitors to our parish might want, without being too complicated to use, or slow to load because of lots of photographs, etc. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions can be emailed to Lauren.

Intercare – Raising money through Recycling

We have been sent envelopes to help Intercare, who provide medicines etc for people in impoverished situations, to raise money through recycling gold, silver, costume jewellery and printer cartridges. If you have any of these see Father Simon.

Job Opportunity : Clergy Health and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator

The Diocese is seeking to appoint a clergy health and well-being coordinator to provide support for the health and well-being of clergy throughout their ministry and into retirement. This would suit a qualified person with experience in the fields of health and / or social care. This is a permanent post for a January 2020 start. Hours would be flexibly worked, initially set at 15 per week; salary: £30,000 pro rata. For more information contact Father Paul Chipchase: [email protected] New Cardinals for our Church

The new consistory (meeting of Cardinals) announced by Pope Francis during the Angelus last Sunday, 1st September, continues his policy of including Bishops from mission territories in the Church within the . It will not take place in November, for the Feast of Christ the King. Instead, the Consistory for the Creation of New Cardinals has been moved forward to Saturday 5th October, the day before the opening of the Synod of Bishops dedicated to the Amazon. Three of the will receive the red-coloured berretta, a symbol of their willingness to spill their blood and, therefore, to donate their very lives in fidelity to the Gospel in union with the Bishop of Rome. Seven of the men are resident Archbishops and Bishops in diocese around the world. And the remaining three are over the age of 80, and so no longer eligible to vote in the Conclaves which elect a new Pope. X The President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, mccj, a Combonian Missionary from Spain who was nominated this past May to guide this Dicastery, and is therefore on the front lines in the dialogue with Islam and other religions; X Archbishop José Tolentino Calaça de Mendonça from Portugal who, for little more than a year, has been Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church; X Father , sj, a Jesuit from the former Czechoslovakia and trained in Canada and the United States who is the Undersecretary of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. In addition to his work for migrants and refugees he will have a key role as special secretary for the Synod for the Pan-Amazon region; X Jesuit Archbishop Jean-Claude Höllerich, sj, Archbishop of Luxembourg who spent many years of his life in Japan; X Archbishop , Archbishop of Bologna in ; X Archbishop Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, Archbishop of San Cristobel of Havana, Cuba; X Bishop Alvaro Leonel Ramazzini Imeri Bishop of Huehuetenamgo, from Guatemala, since 2012; X Capuchin Archbishop , ofm cap, Archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; X Salesian Archbishop Cristóbal López Romero, sdb, originally from Spain and currently Archbishop of Rabat, in Morocco; X Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Asian origin, is the Archbishop of Jakarta, in Indonesia. X British-born Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, a White Father, who was dedicated for many years to interreligious dialogue and who in his last years served in the Apostolic Nunciature in Egypt; X Jesuit Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevičius, sj, Archbishop Emeritus of Kaunas in Lithuania; X Bishop pdsp, of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence, born in the Italian province of , Bishop Emeritos of Benguela in Angola. We keep these thirteen men in our prayers over the coming weeks.

Consequences of the Cardinal Pell Judgement …

Why do so many Catholics refuse to believe that the Australian cardinal is guilty of child abuse? The cynical answer is “tribal loyalty”: he’s one of us, so we’ll defend him. But Catholics have had plenty of opportunity to get used to the idea of clerics abusing children and we’d gladly condemn the guilty to prison. No, part of the Catholic objection is an old-fashioned, non-sectarian concern for justice – that if you’re going to convict a man for such an awful crime, you should be pretty damn sure he’s guilty. His accusers would say that they are. They say that after a Sunday Mass in December 1996, the archbishop found two boys drinking communion wine in the sacristy of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne. Allegedly, he then raped them. Later that year, or in early 1997, it is said that he groped one of them in a hallway. A jury found him guilty last year and two judges in a court of appeal have upheld the verdict. One of the appeal judges, however, dissented – and his opinion contains some interesting observations about how the verdict was reached. The cardinal was convicted solely on the testimony of one of the boys who was allegedly attacked. The other boy, who denied he had been assaulted, is now dead. Justice Mark Weinberg puts it like this: “These convictions were based upon the jury’s assessment of the complainant as a witness, and nothing more.” Some readers might be surprised that it’s possible to convict purely on the basis of one person’s testimony more than 20 years after an event, but, according to Justice Weinberg, “The prosecution argued that the complainant’s evidence was so obviously truthful, and reliable, so compelling, that no matter what the rest of the evidence led in the trial might suggest, there could be no reasonable doubt as to the applicant’s guilt.” This could be a fair basis upon which to convict, given that abuse cases often take years to come to light and are perpetrated by clever men more than capable of covering their tracks. But the defence tried to lay down a number of obstacles that made the alleged attack simply impossible to perform. Here’s where there actually is a distinctly Catholic perspective on this case: the more you understand how a cathedral works or what an archbishop does, the less credible the prosecution’s version of events seems. The defence brought forward witnesses who said that after Mass in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the archbishop was almost never left alone while vested; that he would usually spend time with parishioners; that the wine would have been locked in a safe; and that the vestments Cardinal Pell wore would have made it very difficult to assault someone. Difficult but perhaps not impossible. The court was shown the vestments and the jury must have been satisfied that they could have been manipulated, just as the prosecution managed to find exceptions or contradictions that suggested the defence’s witnesses might have been wrong. Even so, to the ear of sceptics, the prosecution’s case relied upon an extraordinary combination of precise events – clearing every hurdle, one by one. That the boys happened to be drinking the wine; that the cardinal happened to go into the sacristy alone; that he managed to expose himself and rape them both within only a few minutes. Given that the cardinal has never been found guilty of any other sex crime, this would presumably have been a moment of utter madness and yet conscious opportunism. Catholics have other reasons for entertaining reasonable doubts. Our history is littered with clerics going to jail for crimes of conscience or for things they simply didn’t do, and it’s very easy for some Catholics to put Cardinal Pell in that tradition. He was regarded as a force for social conservatism in Australia, a country where liberals seem to be waging a war against the Church. There’s even a campaign to compel priests to break the seal of Confession in abuse cases. The cardinal’s defenders see him as a scalp and the accusation of rape as an attempt to discredit his brand of religion. They fear that if the state can bring down such a powerful, apparently holy man, then it’s a warning to Christians everywhere. It would be simple to say, “a court has found him guilty and that is that”. But the Catholic conscience never stops there: if you believe something is wrong, regardless of what the rest of society thinks, you have to say so. We don’t outsource our principles to courts and judges, a fact that truly vexes the secular mind. The Catholic conscience is like a morsel of food in a corner of a shell that the state can’t quite reach. We are hated for it. If Cardinal Pell was indeed a “scalp” then his persecutors should know that there is a quiet army of opinion in his favour, that many people dissent from this verdict, and that their trust in the cleric’s innocence is as strong as ever. Tim Stanley is a journalist, historian and Catholic Herald contributing editor For the Parish Readers

The following article was published in another parish’s newsletter recently. There might be some helpful comments for those who publicly read at Mass in our parish. Dear Readers: Please read a little more slowly and with a louder voice. People need to hear the rhythm of your voice. You can see the words but the people have to hear the words and interpret them and that is a slower process. Think of the listeners. Our microphone is good but will not compensate for your not reading loudly enough. The Church speaks of “Proclaiming the Word of God” not simply “reading”. Please “proclaim” the reading in church, do not read as if you were in your kitchen or living room. Stand not-too-close to the microphone (it will cut out if loud ‘p’s or ‘b’s are picked up). There is no need to move it, the pick-up is good. Read only five or six words before a slight pause. You can’t read well at a good level of voice if you try more than a few words because your voice will drop and your words are lost. Keep your voice steady and full. Too much “up” and “down” in pitch is distracting and hard to listen to. Please prepare carefully. Full stops, commas, etc. are for people who are reading for themselves: but reading aloud is a different skill and requires more pauses, sensibly and sensitively chosen. The only point of reading aloud is that the listeners hear and understand every word. Just reading the words is not good enough: you are reading ideas, emotions, story, changes of voice, etc. People tell me how disappointed they feel to have heard and understood very little of a reading. That’s our fault. We proclaim the Word of God, you and I. We must do it well. It is a privilege. It is a God-given ministry.

Marriage Matters

Consent to love God above all else; seek to not force anything Today, Jesus sets out the cost of discipleship: “none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions”. Throughout His life and in dying for us, Jesus demonstrated a self- emptying way of loving. As His disciples, our call is to follow Him by putting each other first; thereby dying to selfishness and setting ourselves free.

Many Thanks for your Generosity

Envelopes £315.00 Loose plate £161.29 Standing Order £305.00 Collection Total £781.29 Natural Fertility Matters

Are you an engaged or married couple looking for a scientifically proven, ethical and effective natural family planning method? Or a married couple struggling with infertility or early miscarriage and looking for answers and a natural way forward? Or a woman suffering with PMS / polycystic ovaries / unusual cycles and would like to improve your gynaecological and reproductive health? Amanda Adebisi (FertilityCare Practitioner Intern) teaches the Creighton Model System, which: X is consistent with Catholic teaching, based on the respect for human life and human dignity X enables the woman to know when fertile on any given day X brings hope to those longing to have a family X empowers women to understand and monitor their cycles and know what is normal / abnormal Please contact Amanda on 07793 350882 / [email protected] for more information about the learning programme and to see how she can help you.

Readings at Masses this week

Monday Colossians 1:24-2:3; Psalm 61(62):6-7.9; Luke 6:6-11 Tuesday Colossians 2:6-15; Psalm 144(145):1-2.8-11; Luke 6:12-19 Wednesday Colossians 3:1-11; Psalm 144(145):2-3.10-13; Luke 6:20-26 Thursday Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 6:27-38 Friday 1 Timothy 1:1-2.12-14; Psalm 15(16):1-8.11; Luke 6:39-42 Saturday Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 77(78):1-2.34-38; John 3:13-17

Liturgy this Sunday and next Sunday

This week Next week Celebration Twenty-Third Sunday Twenty-Fourth Sunday Cycle & Psalter Year C, Week 3 Year C, Week 4 First Reading Wisdom 9:13-18 Exodus 32:7-11.13-14 Psalm Psalm 89(90):3-6. 12-14. 17 Psalm 50(51):3-4.12-13.17.19 Second Reading Philemon 9-10. 12-17 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Gospel Luke 14:25-33 Luke 15:1-32 Preface Sunday 8 EP Four Eucharistic Prayer Two Four Memorial Acclamation C (Save us, Saviour) C (Save us, Saviour) Prayers For . . .

All those who have died recently, especially Mary Doon. May they rest in peace!

All our parishioners and friends who have asked for our prayers: especially Saverio Pozella, John Donnelly, Josette Fahey, Rosemary Henley, Paul Trotter, Michael Paine, Barbara Martin, Lorraine Martin, Eileen Brentnall, Daniel Dopson, Joy, Hariet McBain-Allan, Kate Myers, Kitty Hughes, John and Julia Newman, Maria Pinto, Catherine Farndell, Mary Patrick, Dympna Middleton, Vincent Kelly, Sister Attracta, Verlia Duque, John and Stella Chapple, Jo and Bernard Raffo, Victoria Crouch, Peter Herrick, Mark Grab, Rosa Maria Santos, Kenneth Court, Beth Coleman, Joan Middleton, Pat Dancer, Augusta Deane, Irene Mulligan, Valerie Pellier, Fiona Ruddle, David Cooke, Helen Allen, Jean Maker, Anna Orme, Lucy Court, Debbie Reed, Ken Woods, Lilian Popple, Anne Woods; Monsignori John Hadley, Jonathan Moore and Joseph Phelan; Canons Michael Bell and John Berry; Fathers David Bowler, Daren Brown, John Cairns, Kevin Clark, Anthony Colebrook, Michael Davies, Hugh Doherty, James Hannigan, Christopher Hogan, James Lynch, Joseph McGovern, Frank McLaughlin, Joseph O’Hanlon, Robert Rutledge, Michael Tutcher and Richard Finn OP; Deacons Stephen Doona, William Hutchinson, and Bob Dawson.

Feastdays this week : Saturday : The Exaltation of the Cross

Next Saturday we’ll celebrate an extra Mass at 10.00am since it’s such a special feastday (indeed, were it a day later it would supersede Sunday). Come to Mass next Saturday if you possible can. But it’s title is somewhat strange to us, after all, what are these Christians about, exalting an instrument of torture? First, we rejoice that something so terrible should have been transformed into a means of redemption for the whole human race. Second, we remind ourselves of the fact that Christianity is not an abstract and spiritual religion. It springs from God’s direct intervention in the affairs of the world, a real historical event involving real people and, in the end, a real execution on a real cross. We may theorise and theologise all we like; but all our theorisings and theologisings are nothing without the history on which they are based. Take away that history – take away the Cross – and Christianity is nonsense.

Ave crux, spes nostra Hail to the Cross, our only hope! Masses and Services this Week

Saturday 7th September TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR Education Sunday : Second Collection for the Catholic Education Service 6.00pm Mass Christopher Tartaglia RIP 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 8th September TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 9.00am Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) Children’s Liturgy, Tea and coffee after Mass 11.00am Mass Morse family, living and dead Tea and coffee after Mass 5.00pm Sung Vespers Monday 9th September Feria 11.00am Mass in school Catherine Lear (birthday wishes) Tuesday 10th September Feria 9.00am Mass Lady Swan and family Wednesday 11th September Feria 7.30am Mass Poppy Thursday 12th September Feria 7.30am Mass Fiona Handinson and family No evening Adoration or Benediction this week Friday 13th September Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom, bishop 10.00am Mass Mary Donn RIP Saturday 14th September Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross 9.00am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and Confessions 10.00am Mass Father Peter Vellacott TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR Home Mission Sunday : Second Collection for National Evangelisation 6.00pm Mass Pro Populo (people of the parish) 7.00pm Confessions Sunday 15th September TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 9.00am Mass Leslie Arthur Starsmore RIP Children’s Liturgy, Tea and coffee after Mass 11.00am Mass John Mackenzie RIP Tea and coffee after Mass 3.00pm Ecumenical Service at Whitefriars 5.00pm Sung Vespers