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The Official Newspaper to Inside this month: the Diocese of Lancaster p5 Alive Again p12 Two States One Peace Issue 234 + November 2011 p15 Stay Awake!

We will remember them The Cross and the Sword

or Christians November is the month FATHER EDWARD Fof All and All Souls. It is the RICHARDSON, C.F. month too when we honour the memory Born in Manchester in of the men and women who lost their 1907, Fr Richardson was Lancaster lives during the two world wars and the the son of Edward Richard many conflicts before and after them. and Margaret Mary Priests As a diocese we remember especially Richardson. The family moved to those of our priests who served as where he started his schooling in the chaplains to the forces and, like so at St Cuthbert’s, South Shore. He studied many of the men they ministered to, for the priesthood at Upholland and Second did not come home. St Sulpice, Issy, near Paris where he was ordained in 1935. He was appointed to World During the Second World War Cardinal St Mary of Furness and remained there Hinsley issued quotas to the various until he volunteered as an Army War dioceses for supplying chaplains to the Chaplain in 1939. He saw service in armed forces. Bishop Flynn appealed for , North Africa and Italy as volunteers and with typical generosity hospital chaplain, then was transferred to the Diocese of Lancaster exceeded its quota. the HQ Squadron, 9th Armoured Brigade, Royal Armoured Corps. A few days after From the diocesan directories held at the being mentioned in despatches he was Talbot Library and from the records of the killed in action near Argenta on 26th Commonwealth War Graves Commission April, 1945. He is buried in the Argenta FATHER HIRST, C.F. Alfonso Coia. Canon Candlish was awarded we know of four of our priests, Chaplains War Cemetery. Fr. Hirst was born in Sacred the Military Cross although he rarely to the Forces, who lost their lives in the Heart Parish , , on spoke about it and even left his decoration Second World War. FATHER JAMES W. 2nd April, 1913, His behind in Italy at a shrine of Our Blessed KENNY, C.F. parents, James and Emily Lady. Father Coia was badly wounded during FATHER PETER FRANCIS Father Kenny, born 1913, Hirst, moved to Lancaster the D-Day landings and suffered from FIRTH, M.A., C.F. was the son of James when he was four. From the St Peter’s shrapnel wounds until his death in 1977 Fr. Firth was the first priest William and Matilda Kenny School, he went to Upholland and at the age of 69. A number of our priests of the Diocese to die in of Blackpool and baptised ordained on 3rd June, 1939. He spent had the distinction of being ‘mentioned in World War 2. He was born in St Cuthbert’s. He went to Ushaw most of his time at the English Martyrs, despatches’. Because the Diocese of Lancaster on 30th June, 1911 and before ordination at English Martyrs', Preston, although he also served at St. was not established until November 1924 baptised at St. Wilfrid's, Preston He was Preston (1939). Appointed to Our Lady's, Peter's, Lytham, and St. Patrick's, Barrow. we have fewer details of the priests of our educated at Stonyhurst, then Oxford, Carlisle, he became chaplain at the In 1943, he became an army chaplain area who served as chaplains to the forces before going to English barracks. As an Army Chaplain (1943), serving with North-Western Command in in the First World War. Linda Forster at the College, Rome, in 1935 and was forced he served in various hospitals, before Chester and Shrewsbury. He was then Talbot Library is however compiling all the to return to England when Italy entered being appointed Chaplain to the 6th posted to India, (Poona, Secunderabad) and information that comes to light and if any the war. He was ordained in 1941 at St Airborne Division. He was wounded in later to Burma (Akyab, Mandalay, Meiktila), readers have details or photographs of Augustine’s, Preston and served at St. France shortly after D-Day but stayed to where he died by drowning on 18th February, priests who served during that war – or Patrick's, Barrow and St. Margaret Mary's, administer the Sacraments. He carried a 1946. Initial reports suggested that the any other field of battle - she would be Carlisle, before volunteering as an Army wounded soldier on his back, and also led boat/raft capsized. A later report said that delighted to hear from you. The Talbot Chaplain in 1943. He died on the 6th June a party to safety after they had been cut he had been swimming. He is buried in Library in Weston Street, Preston, next to 1944 during the Normandy landings. His off. On Palm Sunday, 25th March, Taukkyan War Cemetery. St. Walburge’s church, is open each parents were Ernest Cecil Clark Firth and 1945, Fr. Kenny, carrying the Blessed Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Agnes St. John Firth of Scorton, . Sacrament, was dropped with the 6th Fortunately many of our priests who 10.00am to 4.00pm and Linda can be He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre Airborne Division into enemy opposition served during the War came back safely contacted by telephone on 01772 760186 (France). Fr. Firth is buried at Hermanville and was killed. He is buried at Reichswald including Canon Thomas Candlish who or by email to [email protected] War Cemetery Forest War Cemetery. died in 1992 at the age of 88 and Father Dolan, Librarian 2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

EDITORIAL n this month’s edition of The Catholic Voice of Lancaster of so called ‘safe sex’ or ‘safer sex’ as a dangerous and I(page 4) is a brave article by Nora, a young woman from immoral policy. near Preston. Nora tells of her shocking experiences during a Thomas Cook Club 18-30 holiday to the Cretan resort Bishop O’Donoghue exhorted Catholic schools to help young of Malia. people learn to respect the inherent dignity and ‘language’ of the body given by God. As he wrote: Nora went to her local Thomas Cook, Travel Agents, in search of a ‘relaxing holiday, near the beach where there would be lots of ‘At the heart of the Church’s teaching is learning respect for the young people and a good night life.’ The holiday rep recommended ‘language of the body’. Sexuality is not purely biological, but Malia, which unknown to Nora has a reputation for promiscuous concerns the innermost being of each person. Fidelity, permanence sex, drunken violence, and debauchery. and openness to life are the integral conditions for total physical self-giving which is only possible for a man and a woman who have From the moment she arrived in Malia the peer-group pressure committed themselves to one another until death, as husband to engage in promiscuous sex was unrelenting. Nora’s account of and wife’. her shock, anxiety, and disappointment at the grossly immoral behaviour of young men and women is heart-breaking to read. This is why our young people must be taught that contraception, Contact us However, her personal bravery and moral integrity shines out, as abortion, and sex outside of marriage are so harmful to them and The Catholic Voice of Lancaster we see in these words from Nora: their capacity to enter into a truly loving relationship. The terrible is published on the last Sunday of the harm done at ‘party resorts’ like Malia is that the degradation and month previous to publication date. ‘I'm so glad that the holiday fell when it did, just two days after my humiliation that many young people experience will damage, return from World Youth Day in Madrid, which was an amazing even destroy, their ability to ‘hear’ the language of the body, and The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is experience for me and really set me firm in my faith. I feel that had so damage their capacity to truly love. published by its owners. The Trustees it not, the holiday and the small word “No” would have been a much of the Roman Catholic Diocese of bigger challenge for me.’ The Catholic Voice of Lancaster congratulates Nora for standing Lancaster, a registered charity, up for the dignity and infinite worth of being a human person (No. 234331), and is wholly independent created with the God-given capacity for self-giving love. of and separate from any previous newspaper published by or on behalf Hospitals report that every morning they of the diocese. ‘ dispense 200 morning-after abortifacient EDITOR: pills to young women, many of whom report Edwina Gillett 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 multiple sexual partners during a night. [email protected] www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

ADVERTISING: A million young people from the’ UK go to Malia every year, Nick Layton / CathCom Ltd. because of its reputation as a ‘party resort’. Hospitals report that 020 7112 6710 every morning they dispense 200 morning-after abortifacient [email protected] pills to young women, many of whom report multiple sexual www.cathcom.org partners during a night.

DESIGN & LAYOUT: The Daily Mirror has a heart breaking photograph of a young Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative woman sporting a T-shirt that carries a slogan expressing the [email protected] degradation that masquerades as having a good time in Malia, www.hot-creative.co.uk ‘Made in Hull, Ruined in Malia’.

PUBLISHED BY: What Nora witnessed at Malia is the consequence of the CathCom Ltd. value-free sex education pushed on young people by UK schools 2/4 Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead, for the past thirty years. Haverhill, CB9 7DG 0870 228 4266 Paul VI warned in his prophetic, but much maligned, www.cathcom.org encyclical Humane Vitae that women would be reduced to sex objects by the acceptance of artificial contraception. Our own Articles to: Emeritus Bishop O’Donoghue was pilloried in the press and interrogated by politicians for insisting in Fit for Mission? Schools [email protected] that parents, schools and colleges must reject the promotion Letters to: [email protected] BY THE WAY… VoiceXtra: [email protected] The Last Benedictine Postal Address: FAO Edwina Gillett 99 Commonside, Ansdell, henever I attend a Diocesan event, I always introduce It's true St. Begh's is a long way from the monastery at Belmont, Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ Wmyself as the last Benedictine. about 280 miles , but despite the distance there are strong links between the monastery and St. Begh's. The parish has generated Please send articles for publication on CD I serve as the Parish Priest of St. Begh's in Whitehaven, the last a number of vocations for the monastery, and parishioners or by email, supplying any photos separate Benedictine parish in the Diocese and I am the only Benedictine regularly travel there. I organise an annual trip to Belmont and to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise serving here. I come from Belmont Abbey, an English Benedictine normally about 25 parishioners go along and between times please type double spacing or write very Monastery situated near Hereford. Belmont has served the parish members of parish groups also travel there; our parish Deacons clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST of Whitehaven since 1930, but the Benedictine presence goes Skillen and Stephen Scott undertake their annual retreat DAY of the month prior to publication. much further back all the way to the missions’ foundation in 1706. there; some of our parishioners are lay oblates of the monastery Photographs will be returned if you and they likewise travel there for an annual retreat. And I am remember to put your name and address Benedictines from a number of monasteries have served the always talking about Belmont and about the Rule of St. Benedict, on the back of each and enclose suitable Diocese over the years, mainly in West Cumbria, so much so that which guides the life of all monks. stamped and self-addressed packaging. only 30 or 40 years ago most of the West Cumbria parishes were served by Benedictine Monks from Belmont, Downside, So in a way I suppose it's not true that I am the last Ampleforth and Douia. But gradually all these monks have Benedictine, since St. Begh's is truly a Benedictine departed and the parishes have been handed over to the care Parish, because of the care of Benedictine monks of the Diocese. So after all these centuries of Benedictine for 305 years, all of us here are Benedictine’s. missionary work, there is just little old me left. Fr Matthew Carney (image - St Benedict) www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk November 2011 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3

Creation Began at

ith Bishop Campbell leading us in life at another until we reached the jetty Debbie Peatman, (Churches together in the power of creation and our weakness Wprayer at our first prayer station, where we had been hoping for a wonderful Lancashire, Ecumenical Officer), who had sometimes when confronted with it. We we began our year of celebrating sunset. Instead we had dramatic shafts helped us to prepare this, (as well as giving are tempted at times to see ourselves as creation on 12th September with a walk of light coming through the clouds, as us supper), and members of different masters of creation, and to use it with the along Morecambe Promenade. This was people’s glasses and clothes were blown Christian communities from as far as contempt domination can produce. When the first of our many events throughout all over the place. As we faced the Preston, which was not bad on the night. we experience creation as we did that the diocese which we hope will help us hurricane we also prayed for those in the Keeping us going was the UCM who very night it reminds us of our need for renew our vision of creation, and our Caribbean who had suffered and even kindly opened the parish hall for us and humility and respect as any hill-walker, encounter with God through it. died in its path. The sand whipped into provided wonderful cakes and teas, and mountaineer, sailor, fisherman or caver our eyes as we trekked back past Eric patiently stayed open for those who knows. A humility that reminds us that You may remember that is was the night Morecambe to the parish hall. wandered, were blown rather, back at we are part of creation and that we need Hurricane Katia visited the coast so it various points and those who made it to to take care of it and if we want to was a walk for the hardy along the front, We began at St. Mary’s parish who had the end. harness it then to do so with a gentleness stopping to pray at various points, kindly welcomed us, with members of the that is in harmony with God’s plan for all recalling the cockle-pickers at one, bird Anglican parish next door, especially Rev. The strength of the wind reminded us of his creation. From The Ribble to Eden to Ribble The From 4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

World Youth Day from We are One Body a volunteer’s perspective

Being a Young Catholic Today Sarah Pendleton, The Willows, Kirkham

Close to God longside two million young pilgrims from 193 different received. Some of us offered our time and our tiredness while others Acountries, 14 thousand priests and 800 bishops, there gave their joy, their open hearts, their spiritual riches – and all were 30 thousand volunteers whose role was to enable the exchanged love, prayers and hope. Most were conscious of being whole event to unfold in Madrid. These were the unsung chosen, called by Jesus Christ, but some still did not know how they heroes in green polo shirts who looked after everything from arrived there. But all of us have seen the great Love of God in action marshalling, to distributing food and first aid, to organizing on us, His Spirit working on us, His Mercy wrapping us, His Peace accommodation, and to keeping the Pope’s hat on in the healing us. I believe from now onwards the world will discover the As well as attending both World high winds. ‘Youth of the Pope’, as the press called the young people, the youth Youth Day and the Big Walk, I also that are not afraid to show constantly that Jesus Christ is the answer went on the diocesan pilgrimage One such volunteer was Menchu Benavides-Guijarro, who lives in for their lives, that know that it is He who brings hope, joy and to Lourdes. In all honesty, devoting St Gregory’s Preston. Menchu was in charge of 800 pilgrims renewed power of evangelization to our families, our parishes, and my whole summer to pilgrimages mainly from Columbia and Poland, and missed all the events as our Church. wasn’t what I’d had in mind for she was on duty and somehow survived on only 14 hours sleep! Summer 2011. World Youth Day was a big feast of faith shared in the big Here she reflects on her experiences: ‘To be a volunteer during the community, a time to celebrate, despite our differences, what unites All my friends were off to Benidorm last WYD in my own birthplace was a privilege because I felt a real, us, to our Lord Jesus Christ. The Pope told us: ‘Now go and tell the and other places on their girls’ alive little cell of the big Body of Christ – His truly universal, Catholic world how the World Youth Day has transformed you’. I am still holidays, and I was trying to prepare Church. People from all over the world, all races and cultures, all searching with hope and joy to know it, but in between I can say myself for a month of church. ages, came to Madrid, called by Benedict XVI, to give as they have proudly I was there, and I am here, part of Your Body, listening, Lord’.

Like all young Catholics at some points I find it hard staying committed, especially surrounded by so many people who just don’t understand. I’ve been raised as part of a wonderful Being a Catholic in Malia Catholic family, but outside the home, in college and at work, I find that hese words were not something you heard on my recent topic and I was introduced to Club 18-30 activities and I signed being Catholic and having a faith Tholiday to Malia this summer, and it is something that I up to go to a beach party and a boat party and I was looking wasn’t as common as I’d thought. found very difficult to be. forward to them. The two activities were based on getting very The past summer has been my best drunk, sex, and playing vile games, where making people sick summer yet, however, as Father Phil I decided that I would go on a holiday to relax before I headed was “good humoured fun”. said to me as he stood in the middle off to university. So I went into Thomas Cook, where I said I was of the Lake District absolutely soaked looking for a relaxing holiday, near the beach where there At night time the attitude of the people in the clubs was that from the torrential rain, in the would be lots of young people and a good night life. So it was people came to Malia with one thing in mind – they wanted sex – middle of the word ‘pilgrimage’ is recommended that I go to Malia in Crete with Thomas Cook's and “No” was not an answer that they appreciated nor heard very the word ‘grim’! Club 18-30. When I told some of my friends and family where I often. The responses I got when I said this were a real shock to was going, the general response was “You're going with 18-30s?” me and really disappointing, “Why would you come to Malia if you The torrential rain in Lourdes, in a shocked tone. I had never heard of ‘Club 18-30’ before and don't want to have sex?” “Nobody has said No to me all week!” blistering heat in Madrid, the was confused by many people’s response. However as soon as we “Everybody bangs in Malia.” I was disappointed that I had overnight papal vigil and hurricane arrived in Malia it was soon revealed to me. gone on holiday to have a good time , but everyone expects Katia on the Big Walk have certainly something from you and it was not possible to be left alone to pushed me to my limits, but being I arrived off the aeroplane and was greeted by a Thomas Cook enjoy your night. surrounded by the fabulous youth representative and put on a coach to my hotel, I was staying in a from across the diocese, and being in Club 18-30s hotel so the coach was entirely young people, and I'm so glad that the holiday fell when it did, just two days after such incredible places (despite the the first thing I heard was that everybody has sex in Malia; I was my return from World Youth Day in Madrid, which was an weather), I’ve never felt so alive and so shocked and very worried about what I had signed up for. amazing experience for me and really set me firm in my faith. close to God. I feel that had it not, the holiday and the small word “No” would Upon arrival at the hotel, the conversation stayed on the same have been a much bigger challenge for me. Nora, nr Preston www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk November 2011 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5

t’s hard to believe that it’s just over a year since Pope IBenedict visited our very own lands. One of the most moving Lighting up encounters that he celebrated was with the young people on the steps of Westminster Cathedral. There he blessed a candlestick which was to become a symbol of youth ministry and which has been touring the country ever since. In September the World it arrived in our own diocese and became the focus of many Alive Again prayer services in our schools. Here, Amelia Rock, reports on what happened at St Benedict’s High School, Whitehaven. The Youth 2000 Festival at Walsingham

“On a very quiet Friday morning, the Chaplaincy Team at St Benedict's had heard some very good news, that even at very short notice we ‘ fter having a once-in-a-lifetime experience at World Youth had been given an amazing opportunity to have the 'National Youth ADay, I was extremely excited for Youth 2000! As soon as I got Ministry candle' come into our school community for a full day. through the door at home after a 30-hour coach journey back from Madrid, it was all go go go! From this news, we knew this was an opportunity not be we wasted. So all Friday and even working on it over the weekend, we put all our Even getting to Walsingham was an epic adventure in itself. When we effort into welcoming and receiving this gift. When it came to us on got there the atmosphere was incredible! It was lovely to see familiar Monday morning, we set up our school chapel and at the breaking of friends from the Leeds Diocese who I had got to know in Madrid! My the school day we let the Blessed Candle Stand into school. In the only concern was that I would be camping and that I couldn't wash morning we had representatives from each tutor group come into my hair for 4 days!! the chapel for a welcoming service at which Deacon Dave spoke some words of wisdom. And then when lessons started, every teacher But over the retreat that didn't seem to bother me at all. I felt a bit in the school brought their class to see the Candle Stand throughout low when we got there with World Youth Day blues. But then we had the day at allocated times and were treated to a 10-minute talk by the opening Mass and through the power of the Eucharist I became myself or Dave, speaking about the importance, the meaning and alive again, and felt right at home. As it was my first Youth 2000 how it is being used today. By the end of the school day, nearly 1,400 retreat, I found it one of the most beautiful, inspiring retreats of my students had seen and witnessed the Stand. Apart from that, we had life. Everything came to the surface that weekend and after going to a more formal service at lunch time, of which pupils and teachers Confession 4 times in 4 days (!), it really made me feel the power of came along too. Fr Matthew from St Begh’s Whitehaven kindly spoke Christ working within me. For this to happen I know it was the power to us more in depth about the life it is giving to young people across of the 24-hour daily Adoration and especially the reconciliation and the country. To finish it's day off at St Benedict’s we had a final service healing services that I encountered while I was there, which brought to send it off on its way to the next stop on its pilgrimage, to sunny me back to life. It brought to the end my best summer ever and I left Barrow. Pupils and staff created a procession to see it leave the Walsingham with such a joy and peace in my heart. school grounds. Its time at our school was a beautiful, memorable moment for us. We had the chance for something extremely special Bring on Youth 2000, New year which this year will be held in London to enter into our school life, of which we all feel very blessed.” 29 December – 1 January.’ Amelia Rock, St Begh’s Whitehaven

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his summer’s pilgrimages have Youth Hostel. Needless to say, it stopped Tbeen plagued by bad weather: the raining as we arrived. As we left, the heavens persistent rains clinging to the Pyrenean opened again and we continued across PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TEAM: MEL, LORNA or LEE foothills at Lourdes, the electric storm the wet terrain until we reached Low TEL: 0808 1788311 E MAIL:[email protected] breaking over the all night vigil in Gillerthwaite and a warm log fire. Website: www.millercare.co.uk Madrid at World Youth Day, and the tail-end of Hurricane Katia which struck Referring back to my Oxford English British shores just as our intrepid young Dictionary, everything, and I mean everything, people set off on the Big Walk. was wet! Our base team had prepared a Dont miss out on advertising your long-awaited hot tea of burgers, chips and Lizzie Cavanagh, of St Kentigern’s other tasty foods and we spent the evening Blackpool, reports: ‘In the Oxford English gathered around the log-fire playing quizzes Christmas Dictionary the definition of the word ‘wet’ is and watching magic tricks. Thanks Aaron! ‘covered or saturated with water or another liquid’. I, along with 23 other young people The next day we set off for Cleator. We and leaders, can honestly say that on the Big walked along Ennerdale Water and across Mass Times Walk 2011 we were all VERY, VERY wet. water-filled fields. It rained again but we call the were all enjoying each other’s company and We met on the Friday evening at Castlerigg walked through the heavy rain and wind and CathCom team Manor and after Tea did some craft events eventually we arrived at St Mary’s in Cleator. today on and made some rosary beads for our We joined a packed church for the sick pilgrimage. It was nice to meet the new team pilgrimage and Bishop Campbell celebrated 01440 and to see friends who had been on the Mass. At last we were in dry clothes. On pilgrimages to Lourdes and Madrid over the reflection, I think that no matter how hard summer months. After breakfast and Mass the going is, God always walks with you and 730399 on Saturday we set off for Honister Pass. The never abandons you. This pilgrimage was a or email weather didn’t look too promising but our real challenge physically but we walked [email protected] spirits were high and we looked forward to spiritually together in faith and friendship the next couple of days walking across the and with strength in our hearts.’ Another fells to Cleator. It wasn’t long before the rain pilgrim added, ‘it was great to experience set in and we met the tail-end of Hurricane my faith in the splendor of God’s creation Katia. It was the type of rain that hit you and in the heart of nature and to know horizontally. One of our group described that I’m not alone in my faith. Saying the it like being pierced with tiny needles. Rosary in the wind and rain on the side of Eventually we arrived at our lunchtime a mountain was a great experience which destination and the shelter of the Black Sail I will never forget!’ 6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

Dear Editor Dear Editor Worth of the person After reading the editorial in the September Catholic Voice, I, like you, felt saddened and concerned at the moral state of our Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is extremely well developed, country, especially the killing of disabled babies. though not the application (and perhaps the confessional aspect in particular). I read the article soon after joining in the regular, small demonstration outside the arms dealer B A E Systems’ factory CST stresses the great value of the person from birth onwards. at Warton. We display a large banner reading ‘Think of the victims The person is to love and serve, be attentive to truth and of the arms trade’. justice and love a good and merciful God and eventually get to Heaven. The person is all important. It struck me forcibly how selective and hypocritically we Catholics choose our moral concerns. As Catholics, our credibility It follows therefore, for example, that social, economic, is lost and our moral views ignored when we seem to take up political, legal and philosophical arguments need to carry Your letters such opposite positions. We say “Thy will be done on earth”, but that respect. support or at least condone the arms trade. How to send us your letters: Greed, Bear Markets and selfish technology etc need to be out. Our little group do have the encouragement, support and Three great values, common good, subsidiarity and solidarity Write to: leadership of a few, very few, priests and bishops. I often wonder should be the ultimate guide. The Editor, what our young people think of Jesus’ “love thy neighbour” 99, Commonside, command and the example we provide. CST is really very good, unusually good in so many aspects, in Ansdell, the way things are put together. Let’s hope that this can be Lytham St. Annes, We stand outside B A E Systems main entrance at Warton on the developed from principles to actual practise to make FY8 4DJ. first Monday of the month between 5-6 p.m. things better. Email to: Vincent Bell, Chorley Would anyone like to join us? [email protected]

------Harry O’Brien, Warton Nr Preston • Please keep your letters concise (max 300 words), Dear Editor ------• Include your full name and address • Letters should not include any The Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes this year saw rain by the Dear Editor personal criticism or attacks bucketful! • The editor reserves the right to: Can you help me with my PhD Project? - amend or shorten letters or to Two men, Bryn and John on their first visit said they would go refuse to publish them (no again in spite of the weather. I am undertaking a PhD on the subject of the Band of Hope. This correspondence to discuss decisions was a temperance organisation for children which began in the taken will be entered into) Lourdes in the sun is wonderful but I would rather be in 1840s and continued well into the twentieth century. As part of - publish a response if deemed Lourdes in the rain than not be there at all. my thesis I wish to incorporate an oral history element into the appropriate PhD, which will focus mainly on the twentieth century. This will Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette – Pray for us. cover the Band of Hope in the North West in general and the Jim Southworth, Preston Preston area in particular.

------To this end, I would like input from anyone who might themselves have been involved in the Band of Hope or who had ancestors, Dear Editor relatives or friends who were part of the movement.

A couple of years back- maybe longer; we were in the midst I would principally like to know: of the “Mission Review”. Whilst I am aware of the outcome at St Joseph's Ansdell can I ask what happened in the rest of • Were you (or your relatives/friends) involved in the Band the Diocese? of Hope?

Is there anywhere I can look up what each parish did and • Do you (they) have positive or negative memories from the which parishes had to close/combine etc- or have I once association with the Band of Hope? again been “asleep in the back row” when I could have been accessing information already published and in the public • Did membership make you (them) feel part of a childhood established churches starting their own domain? community or did you (they) feel isolated from other Bands of Hope. children? Sincerely From information gleaned from the Chris Crocker, Ansdell • What influence the Band of Hope have on your (their) lives? Almanac for the Archdiocese of Liverpool, Catholic Publishing ‘Fit For Mission?’ as a process has been completed but the • In the case of your ancestors, did they share with you any of Department (1879), I have recorded the effects of the review are still in evidence across the Diocese their memories relating to the Band of Hope? following which is just a portion of what with for instance the linking and merging of parishes. is available: • Any other information you think would be useful would Further details can be found on the Diocesan web site also be considered. “Temperance Record page 55. www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk by clicking on the tab The Catholic Total Abstinence League of the Catholic Faith and scrolling down to ‘Fit For Mission?’ Anyone who feels they may be able (and willing) to help can make Cross, League Hall, St Annes Street, initial contact by email: [email protected] or by Liverpool. Founded by the Rev. Father Additionally as a direct response to ‘Fit For Mission- telephone 01772 613530. Nugent, February 29th 1872. Branches Schools?’ the diocese Preston – St. Augustine’s Temperance now offers the I will be able to reimburse costs associated with your input, Association. Meeting one a fortnight in Catholic such as photocopying and postage. All input will be the Lark Hill Schools. Preston - St Ignatius Certificate in treated as confidential and will not be used without your Total Abstinence Association. Meetings Religious consent. Where you wish, acknowledgement of your every Monday at 7.30, from September Studies on-line. contribution will appear in the PhD thesis. This project is in to May.” From an initial its early stage and will be ongoing for several months take up of 40 during which time I will be collating responses. I look forward to hearing from you. students there are now 90 Additional note: Susan Bailey MA people signed up The Band of Hope was a non-denominational movement PhD Student at for the course. at the outset with the non-conformist and eventually the University of Central Lancashire www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk November 2011 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 Just Annual Mass Celebrated Like n July, Bishop Michael Campbell and 14 Clergy concelebrated Mass in honour Iof Lancashire Martyr Blessed Edward Bamber at St. Winefride’s House, Bispham, Blackpool. That! Around 100 local parishioners shared this annual commemoration of his martyrdom. Having been condemned Blessed Edward Bamber was imprisoned and finally hung Deacon Bill Gillan with drawn and quartered in Lancaster in 1646. His crime? He was a Catholic Priest. Blessed some of his props Edward Bamber was beatified by the Pope John Paul II, on 22nd November 1987. including ‘The Legless Table’ actually used by Tommy Cooper. The circle choir with from left to right: Adrian Crook, Michael Harrison, Geoff Stappard, Robert Thompson, Adrian Denye and President Philip Scully. Missing from the photo is the accompanist Peter Kay.

ytham St.Annes Circle of The Catenian Association held a LTommy Cooper night at a recent meeting at the Glendower Hotel, St.Annes.

Deacon Bill Gillan performed a number of Tommy Cooper’s most famous tricks and spoke about his life and career in show business. Musical accompaniment was provided by Peter Kay. To conclude the very successful evening, the circle choir, all wearing Tommy’s trademark fez hat, sang his favourite song “Don’t Jump Off the Roof Dad”. Adrian Crook

To find out more about The Catenian Association please visit their website: www.thecatenians.com

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York House, Schola Green Lane, ENGLISH & MATHS TUTORING Morecambe LA4 5QS for Children aged 6-16 Tel: 01524 400292 www.theartofglass.co.uk In September a UK wide association of independent tuition centres was formed. DAVID CROSS Each centre provides an individual learning Stained Glass Artist programme for pupils using only fully qualified teachers. 4 of these are in the We specialise in the design, Lancaster Diocese. restoration and repair of leaded For more details or to book a windows and stained glass. FREE Assessment call: Based in Morecambe, Lancashire we Ian, Preston 01772 555599 serve the North West and the UK Jan, Lancaster 01524 61199 Kate, Blackpool 01253 290949 Michael, Barrow in Furness 01229 831161 8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk Fr. Tad Pacholczyk - MAKING SENSE OUT OF BIOETHICS

recent news report chronicled a that included provisions outlawing the AChinese woman named Huang Yijun. freezing of human embryos. Italy passed Sixty years ago, her unborn child died, similar legislation. Both countries closely but the pregnancy was never regulate in vitro fertilization treatments, expelled from her body. Instead, her and allow the production of no more than Human baby’s body slowly began to calcify 3 embryos at a time, all of whom must inside her, becoming a crystallized, be implanted into their mother. Both stone-like mass. Such stone babies countries forbid the production of extra (known as lithopedions) are extremely embryos, experimentation on embryos, Stockpiling rare. When Mrs. Huang was 92 years old, cloning of embryos, and genetic testing the baby was discovered in her abdomen of embryos. and surgically removed. Not much reflection is needed to realize This rare medical event prompts us to the serious injustice involved in forcefully consider a thought experiment. Imagine a “crystallizing” another human being. The drug that could be injected into a child to freezing and thawing process itself crystallize him, but without killing him. subjects embryonic humans to significant The process would turn the child into a risk, and up to fifty percent of embryos do static mass for as many years as the not survive the process. Stored embryos parents wanted; another injection would often end up being condemned to a kind reverse the process, and allow the child to of perpetual stasis, locked in time in the wake up and continue growing. Parents harsh wasteland of their liquid-nitrogen who decided they needed a break from orphanages. This injustice, once it has parenting could bring their kids to the been foisted upon human embryos, is clinic and pay to store them as crystals for then used by others to argue on behalf of a limited period of time. Some children an even more egregious offense against might end up never being decrystallized, their dignity: the destructive strip-mining with their stony bodies piling up in of embryos to acquire their stem cells. warehouses.

Such a bizarre warehousing of children is not as outlandish as it might seem. In fact, ...fertility clinics‘ in the United fertility clinics in the United States already States already warehouse warehouse more than 500,000 children in high-tech freezers filled with liquid more than 500,000 children nitrogen, children who are crystallized in high-tech freezers... by-products of the in vitro fertilization process. Parents can choose to “re-animate” their embryonic children by thawing them, implanting them, and The radical stockpiling’ of embryonic gestating them, but in other instances, humans threatens to become nearly they end up being abandoned because routine in our society, as such humans are

Bioethics their parents are now too old to carry a reduced to little more than “stony objects” pregnancy, or are content with the to be warehoused and manipulated — number of their already-born children. valuable primarily for how they can serve the commercial interests or the personal The multi-billion dollar business of desires of others. The temptation to infertility in the U.S. has been aptly dehumanize our own brothers and sisters described as a kind of “Wild West,” a is a perennial one, hearkening back to that lawless frontier where nearly anything time in our country, not so long ago, goes, including the daily freezing and when slaves could be considered only stockpiling of scores of humans who are three-fifths of a person for purposes of still in their embryonic stages. This congressional representation. Treating practice stands out as one of the great embryos as zero-fifths of a person humanitarian tragedies of our age. constitutes an even more deplorable violation of human rights. Few commentators, however, dare to raise their voice against this injustice, which is The United States urgently needs embryo proficiently marketed as a matter of protection laws. Men and women of personal reproductive choice and conscience must pressure lawmakers to freedom. Because our frozen children act. The putative and widely-touted have no voice to speak in their own “self-regulation” of fertility clinics remains defense, we slip into a mindset that a dismal failure. Laws like those in ignores their inherent dignity. Germany and Italy, while they would not stop every injustice done to the least But not every country has been so blind. powerful among us, could go a long way Germany, which has a strong historical towards assuring that further forms of memory of the consequences of ignoring scientific barbarism and human human dignity, declines to participate exploitation do not become commonplace. in these charades. Strikingly, human embryos are not being frozen anywhere in the country, and virtually none are held in Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his cryogenic storage. Meanwhile, countless doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and American parents find themselves caught did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the diocese of in agonizing dilemmas about what to do Fall River, MA, and with their offspring held in suspended serves as the Director animation. of Education at The National Catholic The reason for this remarkable difference Bioethics Center. See lies in the fact that the Germans enacted www.ncbcenter.org an Embryo Protection Law in the 1990’s www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk November 2011 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9 Diocesan Mass for Racial Justice

he community from the parishes of St Ignatius and TEnglish Martyrs gave a great welcome and hospitality to everyone attending the Diocesan Mass for Racial Justice in St Ignatius Church Preston.

Bishop Campbell’s homily can be read on the Diocesan website www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk and the Faith & Justice website www.lancasterfaithandjustice.co.uk

How did I arrive at ‘Larmenier’ Retirement Village from Brighton?

ADVERTORIAL Is it a plunge, a journey or a full stop?

he 107 year old history of the Sisters of Nevers in Brighton Thad come to an end so it was time for Sr Margaret Mary to leave her parish of St Mary’s in Brighton, the different projects and wonderful friends to set up home in the ‘Larmenier’ Retirement Village.

And so it was. God saw that it was good. A new creation! To have time ‘all day’, in fact, just to be with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and read, assimilate scripture slowly - lo and behold this is where my Lord and Master has placed me. I am here by His invitation in a retirement village which has a huge wide light peace filled chapel, long prayed in by the Sisters of Nazareth and the people here.

Work never ends when we love Jesus and the kind of life He lived so He leads me to find Him in all the senior residents – what a blessing. We all love each others’ company and we have multiple activities, I am so grateful and in awe at the Power of Faithfulness of my newly found ‘community’.

Oh yes! I say the ‘office’ every day, I read my bible and I say my rosary. Daily Mass is well attended and I think of all the work that has been done in parishes to help the building up of ‘Church’.

Here at ‘Larmenier’ we are all at different stages of old age, We all seem to be semi-cloistered invited by Jesus to be here to quietly prepare ourselves in community for the big day of meeting God face to face through prayer, praise, adoration, thanksgiving, love, joy and community. Sr. Margaret Mary (Sister of Charity of Nevers)

Note: Larmenier Retirement Village has been developed by the Sisters of Nazareth on the site of their former Nazareth House Care Home. The Sisters have owned the property for 100 years and the village has been named after their foundress Victoire Larmenier. It is the first of 5 villages to have received detailed planning consent in the UK. Work on the second village in Plymouth has recently commenced. 10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk Around the Carving of St Angela Merici Diocese by Benedetto Pietrogrande in Desenzano. The Rosaria Irish Shamrock Rosary - Gilt £25.95 Simpy quote this promotional code when you make your order and you will receive your discount A1B2C3D4

These are beautifully made Irish Rosary beads.Each bead is embossed with Shamrocks, the junction shews the apparition at Knock, and has a drop of Holy Water from Knock, and the beads have a traditional Celtic crucifix. The Shamrock, one of the best known symbols of Ireland was Live a used by St Patrick to explain the Trinity to the pagan kings of Ireland. Marie Rodden and Marie Worden on The rosary beads have a decade length of 36", with a drop the occasion of their First Vows as including crucifix of 7". members of the Company of St Ursula Specially for readers of the The Middlesbrough Voice there is a 10% Christmas discount. Don’t forget to include the at St Church, Lancaster, promotional code for 10% discount at the checkout too! 25th November 2009. Hurry offer only available until 18th December 2011 New Life Shop online at www.therosaria.com

Email: [email protected] Life New Telephone: 01253 826484 n November 25th we celebrate the recently restored feast life was begun by 28 brave members and quickly spread around 3c Crescent East, FY5 3LJ Oof Catherine of Alexandria. For the Ursuline Sisters Brescia and beyond. in Lancaster it has a great importance. Last year was a great anniversary for the Ursuline family and This year will be 476 years since St. Angela Merici founded her this year in Lancaster we are preparing for a renewal. The Company of Saint Ursula in Brescia (North Italy). It will also be long-standing form of Angela’s foundation – the Company of Zealous for God the occasion on which two members of the Company will be Saint Ursula – was begun in Lancaster in 2007 and this year the renewing their commitment made two years ago. two Companions will be renewing their temporary commitment for a further three years. God alone What is known about that event and why did Angela choose that day for her most significant action? Little historical is Angela’s Rule provided a way of life for women who wished to suffices! known about St. Catherine, but she enjoyed a great reputation consecrate themselves totally to God by living in the world throughout Europe in the as a martyr, put to the Evangelical Counsels of perpetual celibacy, poverty and Solo Dios death in a very barbaric way. She is often depicted in paintings, obedience. Today secular Ursulines are organised in many basta mostly figuring as partner in a Mystical Marriage, being given a diocesan companies. Most of these are united in a federation ring by the Child Jesus. which was recognised as one Secular Institute of Pontifical Right on May 25th 1958. What was her connection with an elderly woman living in Brescia, very well-known, respected and loved by many of its diverse Today, a single woman seeking admission to the Company is citizens? Angela was someone they turned to for help and had given a two-year period of formation leading to temporary been doing so since she moved there twenty years ago. Before commitment for two and then a further three years. At the for further information please contact Damian Cassidy, O.Carm. that she had lived in Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda conclusion of these five years, commitment is made for life. An The Friars, Aylesford, Kent where her family owned a farm. While still young, Angela had Ursuline is called to live the mystery of Christ as Spouse of the ME20 7BX www.carmelite.org been granted a vision of a ladder on which young women were Church. Her commitment to perpetual celibacy is a response in [email protected] ascending and descending. This vision remained always with her love to Christ who first loved her. Such a vocation needs to be Follow us on facebook as an image of virginity which she treasured and wanted to offer sustained by a deep life of prayer. Secular Ursulines live this to other women. call in the world in whatever happens to be their personal circumstances. However, they are not alone, but make their As the years passed in Brescia, Angela’s time and energy were commitment in companionship with other members of the spent in prayer and good works, dealing with people and Company with whom they meet regularly for prayer and particularly concerned about the lives of women. Constantly mutual encouragement. All Saints inspired by her vision in Brudazzo, she began to draw up a Rule November 1st at 6.30pm which would give single women an opportunity of living close to Finally, Ursulines, like Angela, are part of the local Church and its Cathedral of St Peter, Lancaster Jesus. He would become their life-long Spouse. No longer would mission. Their spirituality is ecclesial, nourished by the Mass, they be obliged to endure the stern authority of parents or family Sacraments and Divine office. Their motivation, as bequeathed members; nor would they have to seek a celibate life in the by Angela, is to “live a new life” and to do everything for the “glory Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost enclosed convents of the time. Angela’s Rule presented them of God and the good of souls.” November 6th at 6.00pm with freedom to choose Jesus as “their one and only treasure” and Our Lady and St Wilfrid, Warwick Bridge, to care for each other as a community, while living either in their For further information about the Company of St. Ursula call Carlisle own home or in small groups. A revolutionary form or religious 01524 32616 or email [email protected]

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost November 13th at 12.00hrs St Pius X, Ormsgill, Barrow-in-Furness How the World’s Religions November 13th at 3.00pm St Mary, Main Street, Hornby can come Together Last Sunday after Pentecost November 20th at 3.00pm he Monastery of our Lady of Hyning in Warton invited St Andrew and Blessed George TKendal Women’s Multi-faith Meditation Group (KWMMG) to visit the Monastery and discuss the Dalai Lama’s book Haydock,Cottam ‘Towards the True Kinship of Faiths: how the world’s religions can come together’. First Sunday of Advent November 27th at 12.15pm The Hyning Sisters have had a relationship with KWMMG Cathedral of St Peter, Lancaster since their first visit in 1999 when they had a long discussion November 27th at 12.30pm with all the Sisters in residence. KWMMG have held both St Mary of Furness, Barrow-in-Furness retreats and meetings at Hyning. KWMMG has also visited With Papal Approval - Everyone is welcome Boarbank Hall and meditated there with the Boarbank Sisters. Jacquetta Gomes Come Together grasping after thingsbeyond ususing whatever words we can observation thatthelanguage of theology ISpoetry. We are theology –thoughImust say I was very struck by Fr HughLavery’s As well asmore poetry inthenew translationthere ismore being offered to God. somewhere onearth,andso‘thepure sacrifice’ another meaning–for thesun isalways rising,always setting West –to theideaof sunrise andsunset, which reaches outto So we have gonefrom therather sparsedirections –East and –that’s whatitsays intheLatin!’ setting” may bemade…’,‘Itshould“from therisingof thesunto its Eucharistic prayer ‘..so thatfrom East to West aperfect offering years ago,lamentingthe translationatthebeginningof thethird space to explore. Ialways remember BishopBrewer, over twenty Poetical languagedoesn’t say everything immediately, itgives us are drawing close to, inour mass. express thespecialnature of what we are doing, whom we language for everyday use–itismore poeticallanguageto elevate thelanguage we useinchurch. Itisnoteveryday ‘graciously grant us,OLord…’ where theoldtranslationhad‘grant us,Lord…’ Y Poetry, Theology andthenew translation www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk which only You can give. Let mefeel Your perfect Peace Touch othersthrough meLord, Let your Love flow through me, Use measYou will, Your willbemy will, And bewithmeattheend, every second of every minute of every day inthislife, The knowledge took my breath away. in my heart, my mindandmy soul, From thatmomentLord Iknew You, My Lord andMy God, you touched my soul, You came so swiftly andwith suchLove, To befirstin my life above everyone andeverything, I madeavow to You, my Father You washed meclean andIwas truly reborn, I invited you to come into my life, My Lord Jesus, The Invitation Stay withmeLord, translation ismore flowery thantheoldtranslation– ou cannotfailhave noticed thatthelanguageof thenew

The Joy of the Priesthood in Workington Parish Priest Currently: 10 July 1982 Ordained: Fr Paul Swarbrick Priesthood The Joy of the . Thisisadeliberate attempt to Well hehasgothis wish. is continually A follower of Jesus we now hear B I amready to take those finalsteps to You. Whenever You call Lord, every partof my heart andsoul, I love you withevery fibre of my being, My Saviour, My Father, My Redeemer, My King To theplace You have prepared for me. To walk withmeonthelastfew steps inthislife, And to beready whenYou call meagain. To love You, To hear your beautiful peaceful voice, so thatIwould come to know you, My Lord, You letmestay longer, To become whoIamtoday. For You to changeme,to touch my soul, Thank you Father for lettingmestay for atime, I didnotknow you then, But Iwas notready, My Father, You came to take meto yourself before, Life andDeath the expense…will be well justified. Fr Paul Johnstone other? If itdoesthatthenalltheeffort, thediscomfort, liturgy helpusgrow inlove of Godandlove of each However theacidtest will belove. Will therevised we are engagedinawesome andmysterious things. of awe andmystery –butthatissurely suitable – to expand,to grow. Yes we mighthave agreater sense home. Itisunfamiliar andabitgrander –butitoffers usachance to explore. We have moved from acomfortable houseto astately faces, to keep usout.Iprefer to think of themas whole new areas the new translation we canfeel thatthey are doorsshutinour When we first encounter thesedifficult words andoddphrasesin heavenly Father. relationship between Jesus who walked ontheearth,andhis Father andGodtheSon,best picksupthemystery of the only ever usedto describetherelationship between Godthe spilled. Suffice it to say thatthis word ‘consubstantial’ best intellects of theChurch for many generations.Muchink of reading andstudy, for itisasubject which hasexercised the similarities anddifferences – well I could if first Ihaddone weeks for pagesaboutour understanding of substance andbeing– have thereintroduction of the word ‘consubstantial’ word isintheCreed –instead of ‘of onebeingwiththeFather,’ find to express them.Oneobvious reintroduction of atheological My Lord Jesus 508585 or email:[email protected] please contact Fr Andrew Allman, Vocations Director, on01253 If you want to talk aboutthepossibility of becoming apriest, be thesamefor others. My way todiscover know thesource of thatconstant joy. God Iserve andpreach andlove. There Ipersevere, thebetter I I lead. Inrevealing itscharacter itgoesonto reveal itssource, the in spite of my changingcircumstances andtheroller-coaster life reveals itspedigree simply by staying with you, refusing to fade faithful joy, proving itsloyalty over time,andonly over time.It circumstance or animprisonedexperience or chance. Itisa The joy Iknow now isn’t dependantonmoodor theright where Ithoughtjoy was absent.But it wasn’t. moments of what mightbemistaken for joy broken by gaps 29 years on,Ilook back onapriesthood peppered with Where doIfindjoy? it lasted. sustained. Anoutstanding momentintime, great while it. Here was ajoy thatcannotbedescribed,nor canitbe but itmust beakinto beinghitby lightning…andenjoying They score, Full-time. I’m still notsure what happenednext, Zambia behind with little timeleft. They equalise,Injury-time. glued to theTV setatthefront of theclass.AfricaCup, with young Zambianschoolgirlsaged13-20 years, alleyes There I was, onebalmy evening, inaclassroom bulging ecause Iamapriest Ifound myself insub-Saharan Africa. Here andthere now andthen. this hasbeenthrough thepriesthood. It will oebr21 TeCtoi oc fLnatr+ +The Catholic Voice of Lancaster November 2011 A follower of Jesus . Icould goon , which is , which

Heart & Soul we and runfirm from aprivatefamily owned The completefuneralservice Golden CharterPre-PaidFuneralPlans Dedicated andBlessedChapelsofRest Proprietor W. Martin Wootton Tel. 01772-733007or01772-782121 1, StonebridgeParade,PrestonRoad, 188, Tulketh Brow, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston The FuneralDirectors Martin's ----- Diocese www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk Keep up-to-date with thenews and events around thediocese. Around the VoiceXtra----- 11 12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

hilst attempting to support the dwindling Catholic pres- Places of Faith Wence in the Holy Land, Fathers Harry Holden and Thomas UK Parish caught Kalapurackal accompanying a Pilgrimage of parishioners from Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Annes, were up in Palestine’s invited to concelebrate Mass at Jiffna, Palestine as part of the two parishes twinning exercise.

UN Application The pilgrimage led by Deacon Bill Gillan, coincided with the Palestinian application to the UN for the Palestine State’s recognition. Much to the surprise of Father Harry and Thomas, and the parishioners, their Sunday Mass, with an altar draped with the National Flag of Palestine, was filmed by the National Palestine TV to be broadcast across Palestine. The pilgrimage to the Holy Land embraced all the sites of significance from visits to the Stable of Bethlehem, where Christ Jesus was born, to touching the rocks at the foot of the cross at Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified.

The visit to the Palestinian Parish of St. Joseph’s in Jiffna, twinned with Our Lady Star of the Sea, was intended to support Evangelisation within the Parish where a contribution is sought Two States One Peace towards the $15,000 cost of the Youth Camp. At the Youth Camp, a strong Catechetic programme will be undertaken for some 200 young Christians next summer. Activities at the Youth Camp range from active sports to serious photography but the underlying culture is Catechetical. An initial £700 (approx $1000) was handed over to the parish.

The Palestine application to the UN, seeks justice for all and a halt to the oppression by the Israelis of both Muslims and Catholics on Palestinian land. Palestinians represent 50% of the population and yet are restricted to 1/8 of the land mass and suffer travel restrictions, additional settlements in Palestine land and trade sanctions all of which violate their human rights. Father Harry said “our visit to the Holy Land was spiritually uplifting and we were moved by the plight of of so many living under difficult circumstances. I sincerely hope we can help the children of Jiffna and also protect the Holy Places which could be under threat in the longer term”.

Our Lady Star of the Sea is committed to supporting Jiffna Parish. If you wish to assist Jiffna’s Evangelisation, donations can be sent care of Deacon Bill Gillan, at Our Lady Star of the Sea parish, St. Annes Road East, Lytham, St. Annes, Lancashire FY8 1UL.

Keld Chapel and Shap Abbey

n August a group of 40 or so members and friends of the INorth West Region Branch of the Catholic Family History So- ciety travelled to Cumbria to visit areas of interest around Shap. They were there at the invitation of two members, Professor and Mrs R.W. Taylor. First stop was Keld Chapel where they heard Mass concelebrated by Fr David Lannon, Salford Diocesan Archivist and Fr Aleksander Makulski, a local Polish priest before heading to nearby “Keld Head”, the home of their hosts, for a buffet lunch.

It was hoped to visit Shap Abbey but because of heavy rain it was decided to sit in comfort and hear all about its history from their first speaker, Mrs Jean Scott-Smith – an expert in local history. With the aid of a film presentation she told the group about the Abbey, built in the 12th Century by the Premonstratensians. It was the last to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1520. It is now under the guardianship of English Heritage in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority.

Professor Taylor then gave an interesting view of Keld Chapel, for which he and Mrs Taylor are Custodians. Thought to have been built in 14-15th Century, perhaps as a Chantry Chapel, it was then used as a dwelling house from the late 1600s, and in 1918 was given to the National Trust for preservation.

The final speaker of the day was Lance Thwaites, a leading local Catholic historian, who spoke about Catholics in Cumbria with many references to Recusant lists, Quarter Sesssions, Protestation and subsidy rolls.

This most memorable outing was arranged by Maureen Fitzgibbon, the Society’s Meetings Organiser. Details of forthcoming events in the North West can be obtained from her at Pinewood, Hawley Lane, Halebarns, WA15 ODY. Jean Smith www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk November 2011 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13 Places of Faith

1/ English College, Valladolid – Pilgrims from Lancashire in the Martyrs corridor. (Left) 2/ St Albans English College, Valladolid – showing the Stork’s nest at the highest point Espana 2011 above the main door. (Above) 3/ Avila – Chapel of St Theresa. (Below)

he music was a surprise. Our small Benedict XVI in Madrid on 20th/21st College of Valladolid. Here we saw the EspanaTgroup of pilgrims from August, we kept on meeting2011 groups of portraits of Priests who had trained had been joined by more than 100 pilgrims. In Segovia we met Fr Tony there during the Reformation, who had Neo-Catechumenal Youth from Trafford, who had studied at Valladolid returned to England to keep the faith California. They brought guitars, drums with Canon Alf. Fr Tony had come with a alive. One such was blessed Thomas and an exuberant Cantor. Canon Alf large party of young Australians. Whittaker from Claughton, and others Hayes was the chief celebrant at Mass in who had been martyred at Lancaster; also the Capilla de la Transverberation. His Our Mass at Segovia was celebrated on St John Plessington from . altar servers were Charlotte and Emily. the high altar in La Fuencisla, Canon Alf Rev D’arcy Ryan found himself giving his having yielded our place in the actual Canon Alf Hayes, a more recent homily to a much larger congregation Chapel of the Burial Place of St John of the ex-student showed us the College than expected. He spoke on the life of Cross to an Italian party led by the Library, Chapel, Quadrangle, and also St Theresa of Avila, and her relevance to Carmelites. “It seemed the decent thing his student accommodation on the our faith today. He was surprised after to do.” top floor. Mass to be hugged by a large American lady who said, “May your words find a The Sacristan at Segovia was pleased to Our thanks go to Canon Alf and members place in our hearts.” be presented with money – the product of of St Wulstan’s Parish for arranging our our English Catholic tradition of taking a pilgrimage, and to the staff of the English Because so many young people had come collection. The highlight of our Spanish College Country House for their lavish care from all over the world to see Pope Pilgrimage was the tour of the English and attention. Catherine Ryan Finding the Lord in Zakynthos

fter 's visit to the is- procession starts at St Nicolas of Molos very blessed to be part of this great event, a and was told there was Aland in 34AD, Christian faith won and solemnly tours the town before with hundreds of Greek Orthodox priests one called St Marks in St Marks square so over the idol-worshipping population returning to St. Nicolas. in all their wonderful colourful vestments my husband and I went in a taxi on the and conquered the hearts of the people and gold hats, all the various Army and Sunday evening as Mass was at 7pm. The of Zakynthos. Until the earthquake of There was a time of great unrest during Navy bands and lots of children, and some Mass was beautiful both in English and 1953, there were over 350 churches on the time St Denis lived on Zakynthos and very important people from the island, in Greek with lots of singing and an the island, of which 100 were in the poor people rose up against the rich and there were thousands of people there, American woman playing the guitar. The capital. Even today, the visitor can many people were killed. One of the it was very special. At the end of this priest came once a week from a nearby admire many beautiful churches rebuilt people killed was the brother of St Denis. procession each year the priests place island on the Ferry. The church is really after 1953. St Denis is called the Saint of Forgiveness new silk slippers on the feet of the stunning and had a wonderful oil painting because a man who had killed St Denis's remains of St Denis as his spirit is said to of St Anne and Our Lady as a young The Church of St Dionysios (St. Denis) in brother turned up at his monastery and wander the island. girl, which was really special. It was a Zakynthos Town is the largest on the asked him to hide him and save his life. wonderful experience being away from island and is home to many important When St Denis was told that this man had home but yet still being part of our works of art, including painting, word killed his own brother he forgave him and universal family in Jesus. Teresa Smith carving and gold sculpture. The Church of helped him to escape to another island. St. Nikolas of Molas (in Solomou Square) is home to beautiful religious icons. Zakynthos is a wonderful island, beautiful white sands and pale sea – a true Zakynthos holds a number of festivals, wonder of God! When we arrived I read the most of them religious. Saint Dionysios information and realized we had come at a (St. Denis), the patron of the island is now very special time. We arrived on the 21st St Denis Day Procession. celebrated twice yearly on 24 August and August and on the Wednesday 24th 17 December. One of the highlights of the St Denis's relics are taken in a great Catholic Church of St Mark year is the Holy Week celebration. Easter procession round the town of Zakynthos. in Zante Town starts on Holy Tuesday when the St. Denis He is the patron saint of Zakynthos, choir chant the traditional Psalms. On he was Monk and lived and died on When I arrived at my destination at Good Friday, the main procession through Zakynthos. We decided it was not to be Argassi just outside Zante town on Zakynthos Town commences at 2pm. The missed and it was magnificent and I felt Zakynthos, I asked at the reception about Catholic church of St Mark in Zante Town. 14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk The Feast of the Dedication of the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome November 9th

he land on which the basilica was in 1376, the Vatican was selected, and Tbuilt was occupied in ancient times continues to be, the permanent residence Why does the Church by the palace of the Lateran family. The for the Pope. palace came eventually into the hands of Constantine, the first Christian The first impression we have of the celebrate a Feast Day Emperor, who gave it to the Pope Basilica is its sheer size. When around 311 in order to build Rome’s Constantine legalised Christianity in Cathedral on it. The history of the 312/313 he made it possible for Basilica is quite complex because of Christians to worship publically for the for a Church? the many earthquakes and fires it has first time. Temples in the ancient world suffered as this has resulted in the were very small- even the temple in original construction having to undergo Jerusalem had a very small sanctuary. It several rebuilds. was customary for only the priest to enter the sanctuary and offer sacrifice. The The Basilica was finished and consecrated people stood outside while the priest to the Saviour in the year 324 AD. Today worshipped for them. The idea that the inscription across the front reads, ‘The people would participate in worship was sacrosanct Lateran Church, mother and revolutionary and Saint John Lateran was head of all the churches of the city and of the first place built for public Christian the world’. From the beginning it was worship and it set the standard for all always the centre of Christian life within others. This was a new temple in which the city; the residence of the and the presence of God dwells and those the cathedral of Rome. In a real sense, the assembled are members of his raised body Saint John Lateran is a mother who has so the Mass is for us to participate; every been teaching Catholics what it means to reading of scripture speaks to our hearts be Church for over 1,700 years. and every Eucharist is a life changing encounter with Jesus. When the Basilica had to be rebuilt in 846 because of an earthquake, Pope Sergius There is much to see and admire in this 111 dedicated it to St . In beautiful Basilica which is steeped in our the X11 century, Pope Lucius 11 also Catholic heritage. The red columns and dedicated it to St . beautifully carved pilasters in the Baptistry were specifically taken from On the Basilica’s façade, there are 15 other imperial Roman monuments to statues, 7 metres high. The one in the teach a truth of faith. Those old pieces centre represents Christ, with Saint John of marble are symbols of all the forces the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist of sin and death that tried to destroy on either side. The other statues represent Christianity- but through the grace of the Doctors of the Greek and Latin Baptism, they become a beautiful part of Churches. Therefore the Lateran Palace the church. It reminds us that no sin is and the Basilica have been rededicated greater than God’s mercy. The pillars of twice but remains dedicated to the bronze around the tabernacle remind us Saviour and its titular feast is the to be priests and prophets of the Christian Transfiguration. era in a secular world. All human history is completely fulfilled in Christ who died Five Ecumenical councils took place in the and rose. Basilica during 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215 and 1512. Saint John Lateran was the The feast day of the dedication of the permanent residence of the Pope since Lateran Basilica in Rome reminds us Constantine until 1304, when the Pope that we celebrate the dedication of that escaped from the chaos reigning in the church which continues to teach us how town. On his return to Rome from Avignon to be Church. Jenny Phillips www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk November 2011 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 Stay Awake!

‘Stay awake’ - courtesy of Cafod children’s liturgy.

Jesus said to his followers “Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come”.

dvent is a special time when we get ready for the coming of Jesus. • What do you think Jesus wants us to see when we look around us? Jesus asks us all to keep watch for him so that we will be ready A • Do we sometimes see people who need our help? when he comes. People who are lonely? People who are sad? People who do not feel well? The gospel story is telling us that we must be ready when Jesus comes again, but that we cannot be exactly sure when that will be, so we must • What do you think Jesus would like us to do when we see people try to be ready all the time. We don’t have to stay awake all night though, who are sad, lonely, poor or sick? we can go to sleep! Dear Jesus, help me to always consider those around me. Help me to Jesus asks us to look out and keep our eyes open for what is happening always have a kindly word for those who are suffering or struggling and around us, so that we are ready when he comes. help me to always remember them in my prayers Amen 16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + November 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

team of 30 CAFOD cyclists Arode down the Blackpool Illuminations to fund boreholes Illuminating in Ethiopia.

Among the 15,000 cyclists who Ping Pong enjoyed a sneak preview of the world famous lights show in September, Lives were a fantastic team of young and not so young pedaling to support two communities in northern Ethiopia, a region ravaged by drought.

Patrick Gardner, from CAFOD Lancaster, said: “We had a fantastic evening. We were really impressed with the enthusiasm and willingness of our team to combine this unique evening with a show of solidarity for our sisters and brothers in Ethiopia. This Team CAFOD is something special!”

Cyclist Jon Lord, of English Martyrs Parish in Poulton-le-Fylde, said: “The for Somalia atmosphere on the night was fantastic and everyone just enjoyed the ride with the illuminations dazzling us all.”

or once some young people could be torchlight. Some adults helped, one or two CAFOD is changing the lives of Fforgiven for falling asleep in church even playing for a period in the middle women like Hadas Hailu who lives in on Sunday morning, as they had just of the night, to give the young people the Arato area in Ethiopia. She used completed a 24-hour sponsored table some rest. to trek for hours each day, collecting tennis marathon. The youth group at dirty water and risking her family’s Holy Family, Ingol, were so moved by the Five local schools, where youth club health. Today, she collects clean, safe terrible famine in the Horn of Africa, members are pupils, have supported the water from the bore hole CAFOD that they played table tennis from enterprise through class presentations. helped to build in her village. Saturday morning to Sunday morning, They are Kirkham Grammar, All Hallows, Thanks to Team CAFOD’s efforts, our raising over £1,500 - and then went St Cecelias, Lancaster Boys and programme in Ethiopia can reach Kearney - Daniel the Lights picture / Ride Mulu, CAFOD Ataklti © Photography: straight to church! Westholme. more people with food, water and a way to earn a living. That’s not bad Like any modern sleepover, Holy Family Nick Park was among those giving support for an evening’s cycling in Blackpool! Pastoral Centre had sleeping bags, crisps, by donating a signed copy of his book snacks, pizza and drinks to help them in “A Grand Day Out” for the raffle. Anyone Special thanks go to all those who their efforts. The youngsters also devised wishing to help can donate until December came to support and accompany ways of breaking up their marathon by on line at www.justgiving.com/tt24 or the team of cyclists and for their having an hour each of fancy dress, beach text GROU98 followed by the amount generous sponsors. wear, hats, wellies, and even an hour by to 70070. Anne Miller

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