Catholic February 2019 FREE East Anglia Newspaper of the Diocese of East Anglia www.rcdea.org.uk Fr Pat’s 40 years East Anglia Tributes to the as an orchestra group heading inspirational conductor for Panama Sister Wendy – page 4 – page 9 – page 10

Youth celebration lights up the Epiphany skies

I A youth celebration of Epiphany lit up the skies at Poringland near Norwich on January 6 when around 200 young people and their families from across the Diocese of East Anglia enjoyed a candlelit , bonfire, hot dogs and fireworks. The annual Epiphany Candlelight Mass took place at the church of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Poring - land, organised by the Ignite team with attendees from across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambs and Peterborough. The Epiphany Mass, which marks the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus, included a chance for partici - pants to light a candle and donate a The Epiphany Mass and fireworks at present to be given to children who Poringland. See a full picture gallery are refugees in the UK. at www.rcdea.org.uk In his homily, Youth chaplain, Fr Luke Goymour, said: "Tradition says that the three wise men came from different parts of the world, Persia, Asia and Ethiopia. This represented the whole of the known world at the time that Matthew was writing his Gospel. “Epiphany is the showing forth, the revelation of God to the whole world. Diocese to bid for We celebrate that moment when the eternal, infinite God burst into our world as a little baby. God has come to us and been made man.” Fr Luke also spoke about the bright three new schools star which helped the wise men to navi - The Diocese of East Anglia are occupied. so we need as many people as possible to gate their way to where Jesus was. Helen Bates, Assistant Director for register their support and interest.” “Today we all have a spiritual naviga - has announced its Schools, said: “This bidding round rep - People can express their interest and tion – the Holy Spirit - dwelling within intention to submit bids to resents the first opportunity to build support by going to the Diocesan website us and guiding us,” he said. open three new voluntary- new Catholic schools in East Anglia for at www.rcdea.org.uk/vaschools by fol - After Mass, everyone went outside to many years. Our Diocese has some of lowing us on Twitter @RCNewSchools enjoy hot dogs, a bonfire and a firework aided Catholic primary the severest shortages of Catholic school and on Facebook at RCDEANewSchools. display in the garden of the 's schools in areas of places in the country and, whilst there In 2017, the Diocese was preparing to White House. Cambridgeshire with are many parts of East Anglia where we submit bids for eight new free schools Bishop Alan said: "The fireworks are would like new schools, they have to be but, following the General Election, was part of our celebration of Christmas increasing populations and in areas where there is also a general not able to submit them as the Govern - because we are lighting up the sky with is now asking for people to shortage of places. ment decided not to follow-up on its our belief that Jesus Christ is the true support the bids. “We have worked closely with both manifesto promise to remove the cap on light of the world. That is the faith Cambridgeshire County Council and faith admissions in new free schools. which we share, drawing others into the Peterborough City Council, to identify The three new bids will be for volun - light that gives such hope.” I The three bids are in areas of signifi - these three areas where we all want tary-aided (VA) schools, where there is Youth director Hamish MacQueen cant housing development – Northstowe, more school places. no cap on faith admissions. VA schools, said: “It was great to have a larger Hampton East (Peterborough) and Great “The Government has been very clear like free schools, are state-funded. Deci - Ignite Lite team which really worked Haddon (Peterborough). that only a small number of bids will be sions on bids are expected from the well together to carry off the event suc - Under a new bidding round, bids have approved in this round, so we don’t Government by the end of March 2019. cessfully. It is good to highlight to be submitted to the Department for expect to get all three, but we think we Epiphany as a major event during the Christmas season. In the way that the Education by February 1, 2019, and it is do have three very strong bids. I In a separate move, the Diocese has expected that the schools would open “However, we need to show that there begun a consultation to open a new wise men were on a journey to see around September 2022 or 2023, depend - is widespread support for our bids by Catholic primary school in Swaffham – Jesus , many of our young people are on ing on how quickly the new houses the time we submit them on February 1, full story on page eight. a similar journey.” Page 2 latest online news at: www.rcdea.org.uk Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 news in brief Hidden statue in restored chapel Church joins in I A hand-carved statue of Our Fr Philip Shryane with parishioners in the Lady which had restored chapel with the rediscovered statue. town street fair been hidden in a I Bungay Street Fair was held on Sun - cupboard for day December 2 and during the around 20 years afternoon, 150 people visited St has been Edmund's church. blessed and Being the first week in Advent the placed in a first candle on the Advent wreath was newly-restored shining brightly. Sand trays for votive chapel at St candles were set up around the church Michael the near various cribs and pictures. Visi - Archangel tors took time out of the hustle and church in bustle of the street fair to light a can - Huntingdon. dle and contemplate. This was done in On Saturday a respectful and appreciative way. December 8, the There were Traidcraft gifts on sale feast of the and home-made quilts. The candle Immaculate Con - donations for CAFOD raised £63. Visi - ception of the tors left many positive comments Blessed Virgin about the prayerful atmosphere and Mary people who the beauty of the church. Sue Altarelli, attended the who organised the event in the church Mass for the said: “It is always important to be seen feast were invited to be participating in this yearly town become a devotional chapel of Our Lady. Lady came from the Church of the Good by parish priest, Fr Philip Shryane, into event.” The beautiful statue has been in a cup - Shepherd which used to be in the the newly-restored chapel of Our Lady Comments made by visitors to St board for around 20 years. It is Oxmoor area of Huntingdon. The church for the blessing of the statue. Edmund's included: “I recently lost a hand-carved by Andre Lacome, a sculp - closed and the site was sold in 1995, the loved one and wanted to light a candle Fr Philip said: “For many years this tor who lived near Lourdes and had his lovely statue of the Good Shepherd is ... it has been a real comfort coming in chapel has been a storage area but it shop there, selling his own carved stat - now in the Good Shepherd Room, the here.” “I was brought up a Catholic has recently been cleaned out and ues and medals. parish room for our parish. It is very good and don’t go anymore but this has repainted, given a radiator and some “Along with a statue of the Good Shep - to have both the statues on view in the made me think about returning.” new lights so that it can once more herd, also by Lacome, the statue of our church again,” said Fr Philip. Wall of prayer I A project to build a national monu - ment in the UK with a million bricks, with each brick representing an answered prayer has been launched and stories of answered prayer are Simon is ordained being requested. The project has land on a site next to a motorway in the Midlands, and now they are trying to raise funds and stories of answered prayers. Visit www.thewall.org.uk tDiocoese of Eastt he diaconate Epiphany parish lunch Anglia seminar - ian Simon Davies I An Epiphany parish lunch was enjoyed by parishioners at Our Lady was ordained to and St Charles Borromeo in Wisbech the diaconate at on Sunday January 6, when everyone St John's brought a plate of food to share and a Seminary in wrapped gift for the 'Secret Santa', Surrey by Bishop reports parish priest Fr James Fyfe, who said: “A convivial time was had by Alan Hopes on all - young and old.” December 15. Here Simon Catholic reports on the East Anglia occasion.

Newspaper of the Diocese of East Anglia I Above the great EDITOR: Keith Morris golden mosaic on the tel: 01508 488318 or back wall of Wonersh 07712 787762 Seminary Chapel are Pear Tree Farmhouse, the words that Christ Wymondham Road, spoke to His Apostles at the Last Supper, “Non Wreningham, Norwich, vos Me elegistis, sed NR16 1AT Ego elegi vos: You have Deacon Simon Davies, right, with Bishop Alan and Deacon email: [email protected] not chosen me, but I Johnpromise Umeozuru during Mass at St John's Seminary. have chosen you.” Articles and photographs for the next They are words edition are very welcome and should be addressed to all of Christ’s ber 15, and thus became a dea - purpose is to imitate the Good receive this sacrament, and con. Alongside me was a Shepherd, who carried the thus to become a diaconal ser - sent to the editor, ideally via email, by the faithful, of course, not just student of the Diocese of flock upon His own shoulders. vant in our diocese, at the deadline of Monday February 4. those who discern, with the Church, a vocation to the Portsmouth, Johnpromise Consequently, the Lord’s service of the Lord and of His ordained ministry. Umeozuru, with whom I study ministers are called to be people, working alongside and Diocese website: www.rcdea.org.uk But they have resonated in the seminary. close to the people, and so in obedience to the Bishop, profoundly within my own In his homily, the Bishop must continually seek to who is leading all of us here Advertising: Contact Charlotte at Cathcom heart recently, since before reminded us that in so calling understand the circum - in East Anglia to our Shep - on tel 01440 730399 or email at the altar underneath those those whom He wills to the stances of their lives. Quoting herd King in heaven. [email protected] engraved words, I received the ordained ministry, deacons, the Holy Father, we are to I will remain in the semi - priests and should smell like our sheep. nary until the end of the Publisher: Cathcom Ltd, 0207 112 6710 sacrament of Holy Orders from Bishop Alan, on Decem - always be mindful that their It is an indescribable joy to academic year. Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCEastAnglia Page 3

news in brief Heritage funding boost Event to celebrate Advent is a first I During Advent, St Mary’s Church, Thetford, held its first ‘Celebrate for Southwold church Advent’ event, an occasion to bring Sacred Heart all its parishioners together, in par - Church in ticular the children of the parish, to celebrate the season and to raise Southwold has funds to support the church and its received a great various social activities. Christmas Held on the third Sunday of Advent present with (December 16), aptly named ‘Guadete’, or Rejoice Sunday, parish - confirmation of ioners gathered in the St Mary’s a National Church Hall for food and refresh - Lottery grant of ments, whilst the children received £210,000 and a personalised bookmarks and sweets. grant of £10,000 A prize raffle draw was held which raised over £1,162 for the parish. The from Historic church Parochial Parish Council, England for the which organised the event, expressed ‘Crowning and their deep gratitude to those who Warming the helped in the preparations for the event and to all who made the raffle a Sacred Heart of success, including the individuals or Southwold’ businesses which provided prizes and heritage project. those who bought tickets.

Southwold parishioners celebrate grants for the Refuge Sacred Heart of Southwold heritage project with e fund-raiser Parish Priest Fr Roger de Lacy-Spencer. I Following a very successful concert in Wisbech the Mayor of Wisbech, Clr Peter Human received a cheque for £501 from Bharat Khetani, Wisbech I The grants add significantly to funds Southwold landscape. The view from the said: “This is a very exciting opportunity Interfaith Forum. The cheque was to already provided by the Parish and the tower is outstanding, taking in the whole for the Sacred Heart Church in assist those who are helping to look Southwold Trust and will enable the sweep of Sole Bay and the River Blyth Southwold. after refugees in Cambridge. repair and restoration of the church. out to Halesworth. “The National Lottery fund grant will Keith Aplin, from St Peter’s church, Investigations in 2015 revealed serious Parish Priest Fr Roger de Lacy- not only to secure its future for genera - said: “In the week in which Prince structural problems with the Grade II Spencer, said: “These generous grants tions to come but also to describe its Charles and his wife visited the Fens listed building. The National Lottery from the Heritage Lottery Fund and His - purpose and mission and to enable peo - and saw how well voluntary organisa- Fund provided £40,000 towards the toric England will ensure that the church ple to see the building in the context of tions are working together this is an £52,000 that was needed to make the can continue to welcome both parish - its location and the history of the area. example of the faith community play- tower of the church safe and to discover ioners and visitors alike. The church is “We are looking forward to working ing its part and showing that the the reasons for the structural problems. very much part of the Southwold scene with our architects, Nicholas Warns 'capital of the Fens' has a concern for With the new funding and the extra and this grant will enable more people to Architects Ltd of Norwich, Historic Eng - the wider world.” £10,000 from Historic England, work can come and share it with us.” land and the Centre for the Study of The Mayor, who had hosted a recep- now proceed to deliver both the perma - Work will start in the next few months Christianity and Culture at York Univer - tion in the council chamber for the nent repairs necessary and some to repair the roof and structure of the sity, together with local partners. We aim visiting Jewish choir, endorsed important improvements, heritage activ - tower, replace damaged stonework and to deliver an inspiring experience, Keith’s remarks and said that the past ities and displays which will enable more manage more effectively the disposal of whether of quiet contemplation or of the week had been fantastic for the town. people to learn about and engage with rain water. wide vista of the past and its connection the history of the building Key improvements will include new to the present as part of our enduring Built at the height of WW1, the church lighting to enhance the important pic - ‘Mission to a Seaside Place’.” A fearless deacon is a unique example of the work of priest tures in the church, interpretation of the Robyn Llewellyn, Head of HLF East of I and architect Fr Benedict Williamson, church building using digital technology England, said: “We’re delighted to sup - Rev Andrew Neate, Deacon of Our Lady and St Joseph, Sheringham & who built around 30 churches in the and the provision of a viewing platform port this important project which will Cromer, braved the very chilly waters years from the late 1890s to the early at the top of the tower with an explana - help to protect a very special building. of the North Sea off the Cromer coast 1920s, mostly in and around London. It is tion of the history and geography of Thanks to National Lottery player’s more on Saint Stephen's Day, December 26. built in the Late Gothic style and its Southwold and its surroundings. people will be able to share the beautiful He was supported by other mem- tower is a noteworthy feature of the Parish project manager, Cedric Burton, space and its stories.” bers of the parish and there were hundreds of people either spectating or taking the plunge themselves! It was a dull damp morning and the sea was choppy – but Deacon Andrew Bishop hosts seminarians’ lunch fearlessly charged into the water – and ran out rather quickly as well. I Bishop Alan Hopes entertained It was all great fun and Deacon current Diocese of East Anglia Andrew raised £300 for SVP funds. seminarians for his customary annual lunch at the White House in Poringland on Saturday January 5, Red Wednesday preceded by Mass in the adjacent I King’s Lynn Town Hall was floodlit church of Our Lady of the in red on Red Wednesday, November 28, to show solidarity with Christians Annunciation. being persecuted for their faith Pictured, left to right, are Peter throughout the world and especially Wygnanski, Fr Patrick Cleary (Vo - in the Middle East. The floodlighting cations Director), Deacon Simon was made possible through the initia- Davies, Bishop Alan Hopes, Deacon tive of Lynn parishioner Tim Alan Hodgson, Mark Ashwood, Tilbrook who is also a Borough Coun- Anthony Asomugha, Deacon Michael cillor. At the same time there was a Brookes, Bienn Carlo Manuntag, display of a large cross draped in red Deacon Alfonso-Jude Belnas, Michael with a red flower arrangement in the London Road window of Our Lady’s Smith, Fr Pádraig Hawkins (Bishop’s Church. Secretary) and Deacon Sam Randall. Page 4 latest online news at: www.rcdea.org.uk Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 Conducting a 40-year career

After 40 years as a in Cambridge and earlier this parish priest, Fr Pat year to Our Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury in Wymondham. Cleary would like to For the last four years, Fr Pat consider himself as has also been the diocesan Direc - the conductor of an tor of Vocations, promoting vocations and accompanying orchestra. Keith those who are in seminaries in Morris reports. their studies, on behalf of the bishop. “I visit every seminary where I On December 16, Fr Pat Cleary we have a student once a year marked 40 years since his ordina - and meet all our seminarians and tion on the same day that Bishop their rectors. It’s important work Alan Hopes officially installed and a privilege to accompany our him as the new parish priest at varied and talented group of Our Lady and St Thomas of Can - seminarians. terbury in Wymondham. “The average age of seminari - One of the very first to be ans has gone up since I was at ordained into the fledgling Dio - seminary. Then it was in the cese of East Anglia, Pat was born early 20s, now they are more and bred in Ipswich, leaving likely to be older with some life school aged 15 with no qualifica - experience which will help them tions to join cotton and linen in their pastoral life,” he said. retailers John Hawkins & Sons. Fr Pat has also helped oversee Within four years, Pat was a positive current situation with managing one of the firm’s stores a dozen seminarians in training. in Portobello Road, London, a “Bishop Alan encourages peo - position he had thought would ple to consider a vocation. He take him until the age of 40 to considers every applicant on reach. their own merit,” he said. “We “Having reached my career are living in a far more material - destination by the time I was istic and secular world. This, about 18, I started asking myself along with the abuse scandals of fundamental questions such as recent years, makes applying for ‘what is life all about’,” said Pat. the priesthood a counter-culture “I did not see myself as just mak - Fr Pat Cleary inside Our Lady and St decision. ing money for a company – I was Thomas of Canterbury in Wymondham. “Today people are encouraged looking for something more to build lives based on them - worthwhile.” selves, being the star of their Pat went to his parish priest to the church in a foreign country. His if he had ever considered becoming a own show. Whereas if you have a ask if he could do m issionary wor k for parish priest, Fr Alfred Bull, asked him priest, which he hadn’t due his lack of Christian dimension to life then Jesus is qualifications. Having been accepted as the star and we are followers not leaders. a candidate for the priesthood, Bishop We need people with a personal commit - Grant of Northampton sent him to a col - ment to the Lord, you can’t just coast lege in London called Campion House, along. run by the Jesuits, to brush up on his “I remember a quote from Mother general education for two years before Teresa when she was interviewed by Mal - going to a seminary. colm Muggeridge and asked whether she “I was then a full-time student for eight had been successful that day. She said: ‘I years, two years at Osterley and then All didn’t set out to be successful, I set out to Hallows in Dublin where I did a degree be faithful.’ And that has to be our course in Theology. I found studying approach too, we are not just about get - quite exciting and gained so much from ting bigger numbers in our churches and it,” he said. seminaries. The Shrine of Saint Jude was founded in 1955 and is served by the Carmelites. In December 1978, Pat became one of “You try to live a more faithful life and the first priests to be ordained in the new encourage people in the parish to do the The Shrine distributes a quarterly newsletter called Carmelite News, written Diocese of East Anglia at St John’s same and then those things will sort by the Prior Provincial, Fr Kevin Alban. If you would like to receive a copy of Cathedral. His first role was as assistant themselves out.” our free newsletter, please send your contact details priest at OLEM in Cambridge, then So, at the age of 69, how does Fr Pat see to:[email protected], or call 01795 539 214. Ipswich St Mary’s, then briefly at the the role of a parish priest today: “I see Cathedral, before becoming a parish him as an orchestra conductor – he does - Our online shop includes various religious items for Saint Jude, Carmelite priest at St Mary’s Thetford. n’t do everything or play every “After six years in Thetford, I had just instrument, he can’t. But he does want a saints, British saints and many more - medals; prayer cards; books; rosaries; turned 40 and thought it would be nice to harmony, something pleasant and worth - statues: http://tinyurl.com/SaintJudeShop. have another experience of church in while, not something discordant. And Use special code 1239 at our shop to receive 12% off. another culture, different climate and that is a beautiful model for a parish language to discern what was essential priest. A priest should be an enabler of Carmelite Friars, PO Box 289, FAVERSHAM, Kent, ME13 3BZ and what was just cultural overlay,” said the laity as outlined in Vatican Two. Mgr www.stjudeshrine.org.uk Fr Pat. “I went to Santa Cruz in Bolivia Tony Philpot used to say that being a http://tinyurl.com/DonatetoJude for three years with the St James’ Mis - parish priest was the most specialised Registered Charity: 1061342 sionary Society, which was an amazing job in the church.” experience. It occurred to me one day in Fr Pat quotes Francis, who said: Santa Cruz that I was now doing what I “When the church does not empower the desired all those years before, working in laity, she is no longer a mother but a mission territory.” baby-sitter who puts the baby to sleep – Fr Pat became the assistant director of she is a dormant church.” the Society and spent five years in the “The priest has an important role to USA in Boston, travelling to Ecuador, play, but it is one of service and not of Peru and Bolivia where the Society power. We are here to serve God and the served. He also organised mission people. We need to be faithful as disciples appeals in 250 churches each year – quite of Jesus,” said Fr Pat. a task. “Today, the respect a priest has in the He came back to East Anglia in 1999 parish is not automatic. It is respect that and was sent by Bishop Peter Smith to has to be earned by the way we conduct Lowestoft as parish priest for a couple of ourselves. But when it has been earned it years, then to St Neots for eight years is far deeper than that given automati - until 2010, when he went to St Laurence cally.” Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/CatholicEastAnglia Page 5

Dowry Tour is

Diamond celebratioPicturen d left, set for Norwich Bishop Alan and children from I The two-year Dowry Tour, intended Sawston cut the to help prepare Catholics spiritually celebration cake. for England’s rededication as the Picture by Mrs C Dowry of Mary in 2020, is set to reach Huebner. St John’s Cathedral in Norwich from February 28 to March 2. The statue of Our Lady of Walsing- ham will be leaving her hallowed seat in the Slipper Chapel at Walsingham as part of the tour. The tour visit to St John’s involves a three-day triduum of prayer. There will be talks on the Dowry of Mary, an evening of Adoration, and a day set aside for visits from primary and secondary schools. The full schedule will be available to view at dowry - tour.org.uk. It is being jointly organised by the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and the Guild of Our Lady of Ran - som, a group founded in 1887 that seeks “the conversion of England and Wales, the restoration of the lapsed, and prayer for the forgotten dead”. The tour is part of the spiritual preparation for England’s re-dedica - tion as the Dowry of Mary around the Solemnity of the Annunciation in 2020. Both the Tour and the rededica- tion have the support of the English The Community of Our solemnization of marriages at Our Lady benefactor. Hopefully a shrine will soon Bishops. It is a call to a spiritual of Lourdes Church in Sawston. So the be built to promote the devotion of the renewal to support the New Evangeli- Lady of Lourdes church building became established in parishioners. sation in England. celebrated the 60th the eyes of God and in the eyes of man. The Bishop and the children jointly cut Cardinal Vincent Nichols has called anniversary of the blessing In the summer of 1959, during a a cake on this special occasion for every - the rededication a “moment of great Eucharistic Procession within the body to enjoy with tea and coffee. Some promise… for the Church in this of the first church in grounds of Sawston Hall, Bishop Parker parishioners who witnessed the blessing country and for our mission.” Sawston with a packed solemnly declared that Our Lady of Lour - of the original church were also present For more details email: congregation at a solemn des Church would be the 'hub for at this Jubilee celebration. They are [email protected] r ing: missions' in Sawston and the surround - moved to see the good works started 60 01328 801007 or visit Thanksgiving Mass on ing areas. To facilitate other social years ago continue in the parish, www.dowrytour.org.uk Sunday December 9. activities for parishioners, Fr Roberts eCspecia lly in t he lives of their c h ildren. Patricia Wallman reports. built the hall in 1963. It was swapped with the original church in 2010 and is now used as the new church for the Parish. I Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Like other communities, Our Lady of Lay a foundation of faith Alan Hopes and Fr John Minh and there Lourdes in Sawston have experienced was also a blessing of a statue of Our good times and bad times. However, fol - Share your faith and hope with future generations by leaving a Lady of Lourdes and a celebration cake. lowing the tradition of the holy martyrs gift in your Will to a Catholic cause. The Community started with a small such as St Nicholas Owen and St John number in the Chapel of Sawston Hall. Rigby, they have shown deep faith in God When the number of Mass participants and loyalty to the . They kept growing, they had to say Mass in have also imitated the generosity shown various halls, local churches, or private them by the benefactors, especially the homes all around the southern parts of Huddleston family. Over the last 60 years, Cambridge in the early 1950s. the community have donated a good The Huddleston family, who owned amount of money to charities, including Sawston Hall at that time, kindly donated a van to Mother Teresa and her Congre - a piece of land and two semi-detached gation. They tirelessly volunteer to help “On this rock cottages to Northampton Diocese. Fr with many local projects like the OWL I will build my church, Christopher Roberts was entrusted with Cafe (now the Footprint) for the benefits and the powers of death the duty of shepherding a scattered con - of the disabled, and Hope into Action for shall not prevail against it.” gregation of about 400 people in more the homeless and refugees. than 30 villages in the south of Cam - For the Diamond Jubilee year, parish - Matthew 16:18 bridge. He and the early parishioners ioners in Sawston prepared themselves worked very hard to raise funds for a pre- spiritually with a special Jubilee prayer Your legacy gift means the things you care fabricated church on the donated land, and patiently collected a good number of about in life continue into the future. and used the cottages as the Presbytery. photos for a pictorial history of the Com - G Provide the building blocks It was such a good time for the Catholic munity. Some of them were on display in for tomorrow’s churches and schools Church in Cambridge area because there the church hall during the Jubilee cele - G Plant the seed of faith in children were two churches built in 1958: St Lau - bration. Many more photos will be put on G Share God’s love and care with those rence's in the northern part of the city a CD and an album for the future genera - most in need was blessed on August 24, and Our Lady tions to learn about the living Catholic of Lourdes in Sawston on December 8. faith in the areas. The year 1958 was the first centenary of In his homily, during the 11.15am, Your Catholic Legacy is a group the apparitions in Lourdes, so Canon Mass, Bishop Alan said that the last 60 of 27 organisations. Stokes who came from Our Lady & the years were full of grace for everybody in English Martyrs Parish to bless the Saw - the Community. This Diamond Jubilee is You can choose the causes you feel most ston church, dedicated it to Our Lady of a good opportunity for all of us to give passionate about and make a difference to many people’s lives. Lourdes. thanks to God, and to move forward as a Wasting no time at all, on January 31, Parish with the continued devotion to To find out more, 1959 Fr Roberts submitted an application Our Lady of Lourdes and with the exam - to the General Register Office for the ple of the faithfulness of Saint John visit yourcatholiclegacy.org.uk church building to be recorded as an offi - Fisher. cial place of worship for Catholics. On The celebration was significantly or call 020 7095 5370 February 5, 1959, a certificate was issued marked by the episcopal blessing of a by the Superintendent Registrar for the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, donated a Page 6 latest online news at: www.rcdea.org.uk Catholic East Anglia / February 2019

JOE WALSH TOURS 2019 PILGRIMAGES MEDJUGORJE QLJKW $SULO2FWREHU YDULRXVDLUSRUWV Mission for a be t pilgrimages from Two St John’s » %UHDNIDVW HYHQLQJPHDO From across the U.K » 6W-DPHV¶V&KXUFK Cathedral parishioners & served daily » 5HOLJLRXV3URJUDPPH have spent a fortnight Staying close to £ » Comprehensive £635 visiting Malawi with » WE OFFER development charity from pp ÀLJKWV Network for a Better )XOO\HVFRUWHG World (N4BW). Mary Direct from various airports in the UK » DLUSRUWWUDQVIHUV Clarke reports.  IRwithU¿QDQFLD professionalOSURWHFWLRQ guides » )XOO\OLFHQVHG Return » I At the end of September, two » parishioners from the Cathedral LONDON: 0203 4680617 | LIVERPOOL: 0151 909 2871 parish of St John the Baptist spent www.joewalshtours.co.uk | [email protected] two weeks in Sitima, a rural parish Licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation, TO 052 and TA 0689 in compliance in southern Malawi where Fr with the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangement Package Regulation 2018. Owen O’Donnell, a Montfort Mis - sionary, has been working with N4BW since 2013. TRAVEL INSURANCE N4BW has a house near the arranged for readers of Catholic East Anglia parish church to accommodate vol - unteers who oversee development ANNUAL TRAVEL and missionary projects. Working INSURANCE through the local administrative AVAILABLE TO ANYONE UP TO and church leaders, projects are 85 YEARS OF AGE. identified which will benefit those MOST PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL in most need of support, whether CONDITIONS ACCEPTED that be physical, emotional or spir - TOP QUALITY COVER itual, and whether they be of any With a 24 hour helpline and an faith background or none. air ambulance get-you-home service. During my visit with Angela Mention this advert to get a Special Stone, we saw first-hand the on- Catholic East Anglia discount. Don’t forget going projects currently being we can also sell SINGLE-TRIP COVER, with overseen by Marian, a volunteer no maximum age limit and up to £20,000 from Kendal, who is reaching the cancellation cover per couple. end of a year-long placement. CALL FOR DETAILS AND PRICES Amongst these projects are the con - struction and renovation of class - 0116 272 rooms, school toilets with washing irrigation project where 30 female heads of making washable sanitary products to distrib - Car Hire facilities, and teachers’ houses, as households can grow cash crops all year. ute within schools - many girls leave school at FTTravel 0500 well as the self-sustaining provi - This project includes education on climate puberty or at least miss one week a month. Insurance Real people - not sion of solar lights and fuel effi - change, adult literacy, sustainable agricultural An example of spiritual connection with machines! cient stoves, leased on a long-term methods and business skills, available to the people was a prayer meeting with a group of Authorised and regulated by the FCA HP agreement to local people. Also, whole community, including schools. elderly widows; together we recited the rosary emergency distribution of food aid, There are also English classes, public health and sang the hymn ‘Ave, Ave, Ave Maria’ to the funding of sports leagues and an education and a local women’s group which is tune with which we are all so familiar. After

Also serving schools, Parish makes wonde r businesses and homes... Do you ever get the feeling that you are about to experience The March and something wonderful? The Chatteris group March and Chatteris parish inside the Pantheon Stained Glass & Leaded Restoration, Conservation Light windows ! & New Designs ! pilgrimage to was such in Rome. ! an occasion reports Laurence Richardson. I The pilgrimage experience is both shared and personal; it is a journey of discovery, not only of a foreign land, but of the self and of one’s compan - ions; it feeds the soul and may gently

!! !!!!! !!!!! ! take you closer to God. ! Ashdon, nr Saffron Walden ! www.auravisions.co.uk Fifteen intrepid souls from March CB10 2LZ [email protected] Thirty one parishioners from St John's Cathedral and (01799) 584108 Icon/PACR Accredited!! Studio and Chatteris met up outside the ! ! friends from other parishes, led by spiritual directors ! church of Our Lady of Good Counsel & ! ! Canon David Paul and Fr Andrew Eburne, recently St Peter, March, early on October 1. It ! ! completed a seven-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land was also the very first time we would

reports John McLean. meet our soon-to-be parish priest, Fr

They visited the holy places in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Michael Ryan, who had bravely offered to lead the pilgrimage in advance of guest house in Rome was run by the Bethany, Cana and Nazareth, as well as sites in taking up his new appointment in the Congregation of the Institute Madri Pie Jericho and Capernaum. Pilgrims also renewed their parish in mid-November. and only five minutes’ walk away from Baptismal Vows on the banks of the Jordan, near Our itinerary was created by Pilgrim - the Vatican. Dinner was across the road Qmran. age People, a charity that traces its each night at La Vittoria, a traditional Canon Paul and Fr Andrew concelebrated Mass roots to a pilgrimage in 2000 to the Holy Italian restaurant. every day, when intentions for the Parish, Diocese, Land organized by Fr Paul Maddison, There is not enough space to describe friends and families were offered. The pilgrimage until recently our own parish priest. So in detail all the wonders we saw in

To advertise contact Charlotte on ended with a short voyage on the Sea of Galilee a big thank you to Fr Paul for creating Rome and the . A real high - such a great pilgrimage for us. light for me was attending the open-air 01440 730399 or 07932 248225 (pictured above). Our friendly and spotlessly clean mass celebrated by in St Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/CatholicEastAnglia Page 7 ter world One such family is that of Sarah, who is the aunt of four orphans, two of whom are dis - abled. The children are aged 8, 10, 12 and 14 and they live in a two-room brick house with a straw roof. Sarah cooks, when food is available, on three stones. There is a pit latrine outside. When we saw Sarah, she was preparing to cook a small bowl of pigeon peas, the last food in the house, for the children. Through finan - cial donations from St John’s parishioners we were able to provide some food for a couple of weeks, some blankets (knit - ted by the Knit & Natter group at St John’s), an eco-friendly stove, some clothes and a solar lamp Alan Hodgson, right, with his host on the house roof terrace overlooking Beit Sahour. (normally bed-time is lit by a small pile of straw being set alight in the corner of the bed - room, and total darkness pre - vails when this goes out). Alan’s six-week summer We were also able to put Sarah’s name forward for one of two vacant allotments at the ir - rigation project, so that she may sojourn in the Holy Land secure an income in the future. Mary Clarke and Angela Stone with Other money given by parish - Thomas and Veronica, the older couple, and ioners and others was spent on Diocese of East Anglia seminarian, leged to be driven to many of the sites to photo - some of their large family, nine of whom the refurbishment of 30 desks Alan Hodgson, spent six weeks last graph them and to write about them from live in the two-roomed house in the picture, for the top year students in one summer in the West Bank in the Holy first-hand experience. I had some extremely which N4BW has helped to renovate. of the 17 primary schools in the poignant and prayerful moments as I sat in the area, whilst over £500 raised by Land, gaining pastoral experience in oldest church in Christendom – the very place a lady who also attends St two very different settings. where Christ healed the ten lepers, drank water the meeting there was a sharing of food and John’s, who ran a marathon ear - from Jacob’s well in Nablus, visited Zachariah’s singing in thanksgiving. lier this year, was put towards I My time in Palestine was divided into two main house in Jericho and the Patriarch’s tombs in The aim of N4BW is to help people move some of the new toilets at an - sections; four weeks working in a parish setting Hebron amongst many other powerful and fasci - from poverty so that they are able to access other school. and two weeks in an orphanage run by the nating places. I also helped the organisation those things that we take for granted, such as For further information on Sisters of St Vincent de Paul in Bethlehem. launch a magazine which they hope to publish food, education and health care. But at times a N4BW, how to support our work I had the privilege of staying with a Greek annually. family may need a direct donation of goods to or to become a volunteer, please Orthodox, Arabic family in Beit Sahour (a small My last two weeks in the orphanage were dif - relieve immediate distress. visit www. n4bw.org.uk . suburb of Bethlehem). I was extremely fortunate ficult and emotionally draining. Living and to meet and live with this incredible family and to working with approximately 36 children all under be ‘adopted’ by them for four weeks. the age of six proved to be exhausting too. The My work placement did not disappoint either. I Sisters of St Vincent de Paul do an incredible job was to work with the mother’s nephew who ran in very difficult circumstances – adoption is for - a non-profit, non-governmental organisation bidden under Sharia Law so these children will, ful Rome pilgrimage called the Masar al Ibrahim Khalil [tr: The Path realistically, be moved from one organisation to of Abraham] ( https://masaribrahim.ps ). This another until they are deemed old enough to for cardinals and bishops in their red organisation runs a hiking and biking trail that fend for themselves. The Sisters give them the and purple attire. After mass, Pope runs a distance of approximately 210 miles from best start in life that they can and they ensure Francis passed around the perimeter of the Rummana in the very north of the country to that they are educated, cared for and loved as the crowd in his . Beit Misir in the south west. much as they are able. I think, and hope, that the Richard, our official guide, gave us The beauty of this organisation is that it pro - kids enjoyed having me around for those two very informative and good-humoured vides untold opportunities and employment for weeks whilst we played games in the sun and tours of St Peter’s Basilica (spot the the many communities through which the Masar laughed together. Michelangelo and Bernini), St John runs. All hikers who walk the trail are encour - I was fortunate in that my stay in Palestine Lateran (the cathedral of Rome), the aged to stay with families, privately and coincided with a visit from Fr Paul Maddison who Catacombs of San Callisto (where we locally-run guest houses and to visit the many showed me around Jerusalem too. I visited celebrated Mass below ground much women’s cooperatives which the organisation some impressive organisations which also help like the early Christians), the Basilica has funded and assisted in setting up. Hikers the most vulnerable and isolated of society and of St Clement (built over early churches also stay with Bedouin communities for part of witnessed, first-hand, the enormity of the work dating back to the 4th century), the the journey. There is a ‘passport’ system for pil - they do as well as the need for continual help Basilica of St Maria Maggiore (Our grims who are able to collect stamps along the and support. Fr Paul also took me around the Lady of the Snows) and the Pantheon. journey – similar to the Compestela de Santiago rich tapestry of religious sites in Jerusalem and Our itinerary also included the Coli - in Spain. The Masar, in its entirety takes 21 days helped me to visualise and almost live the life, seum, the Trevi Fountain and the to complete and can only be done in March and passion, death and resurrection of our Blessed Piazza Navona for good measure. November which are the cooler and drier Lord. A remarkable city and a profound experi - On our last morning, we visited the months. Smaller walks of a few days can be ence. Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls arranged throughout the year. My time in Palestine was only made possible Peter’s Square. The original plan was to and the Pontifical Beda College where My role with the organisation was to track the through the inspiration of Bishop Alan and the attend a papal audience but, on this par - we received an unforgettable welcome entire route and to link the numerous stopovers generosity of our diocese and the many people ticular day, the general audience was from the Rector, Fr Philip, and his stu - with any biblical, spiritual or theological event that support and help us to gain knowledge, replaced by the for the dents, several of whom hail from East that may have happened in that particular place experience and understanding of our Church - opening of the Synod of Bishops, Anglia. We celebrated Mass together in or near to it. This, we hoped, would add a further education takes place in many forms. My hap - focused this year on The Young, The the Beda’s chapel. dimension to the walk, attract pilgrims along the piness and memories of Palestine are Faith and Vocational Discernment. A resounding thank you to Fr way and, let’s face it, use one of the best assets completely down to the family I stayed with and Fr Michael got us in the queue early Michael for stepping into the breach that the Holy Land has to offer – its Biblical his - the warmth, hospitality and love of the people I and we found ourselves seated in a for - and leading us magnificently. The feel - tory. met. Please do keep the people of the Holy ward section. We were treated to an ing of unity and love that grew in the The research was fascinating and I was privi - Land in your prayers. awesome spectacle - you couldn’t move group was really special. Page 8 like our schools at: www.facebook.com/RCDEANewSchools Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 DIOCESAN SCHOOLS IN FOCUS

borough on December 2. Past Provincial Grand Knight, Brother Writing success Christopher Brooks, said: “It was great to have such a large group of high quality for students entries on diverse subjects to choose from in this year’s essay competition. I Students from a Suffolk Catholic High Many congratulations to the Year 7 RE School and a Peterborough Parish have class at St Alban’s Catholic High School, won awards in this year’s Knights of St Ipswich for providing the entries which is Columba East Anglia Province 27 essay a credit to the School, their chaplain and and prayer writing competition and two RE teacher. Niall’s offering was espe - went on to receive national accolades. cially pleasing and fully deserves the na - Niall McMorrow took first place in the tional recognition gained for himself and East Anglia and national KS3 Essay the school. Competition winning £75 and a trophy for “Hopefully the other Diocesan high himself as well as being named overall schools will take up the challenge next winner in Key Stage (KS) 3 & KS4 and year in both competitions as St Alban’s £250 for St Alban's School in Ipswich say they will do for the prayer writing where he is a student. His essay was on competition in 2019. Homelessness in the UK. Fellow St “Very well done also to the Gigy broth - Albans students Ruth Westland and ers, altar servers at Our Lady of Lourdes Felicity Moore won regional prizes for church Peterborough, who entered both their entries. The awards were presented competitions successfully this year, win - at St Albans on November 5 ning prizes for the second year running. This year the Gigy brothers from Our James Gigy won the East Anglia third place for his KS4 prayer. They certainly rise to the challenge Lady of Lourdes Parish, Peterborough, Year10 KS4 prize for his essay on Good His brother Thomas took first place in through their own initiative and prove that entered both the Essay and Prayer Citizenship and went on to take second East Anglia for his Year 7 KS3 prayer. The ‘you have to be in it to win it’, a good writing competitions place nationally for his KS4 essay and awards were presented at Mass in Peter - moral for a successful life journey.” Consultation opens on

Tnhe Dioceese of Ewast Anglia has CDraop-in sestsions holic school begun a consultation to open a are being held at new Catholic primary school in Sacred Heart Swaffham. This will be on the site School where of the current Sacred Heart Diocesan officers School, a fee-paying school that will be available to is due to close at the end of the answer questions summer term 2019 . and provide fur - ther information. There is one on I The consultation, which began on Jan - Wednesday, Febru - uary 7, will run until February 15 and ary 6, 6.30pm-8pm asks parents, staff and the local commu - Sacred Heart nity for their views about opening a new School is also hold - Catholic primary school. ing an Open Day on Helen Bates, Assistant Director for Saturday, February Schools, said: “The possibility of open - 9 between 10am ing a non-fee paying Catholic primary and 12 noon which school in Swaffham is extremely excit - will provide an op - ing and a very rare opportunity. We have portunity to have not opened any new Catholic schools in look around the Norfolk in decades. The nearest Catholic school’s first-class schools to Swaffham are in King’s Lynn facilities. and Costessey in Norwich, which many The final deci - Pupils at Notre Dame Prep School, parents feel is too far for primary-aged sion on whether to Norwich, collecting for Street Child UK. children to travel. open the new “If successful, this new school will Catholic primary I Craft Half Marathon on Saturday Febru - build on the long tradition of excellent school will be made by Norfolk County Pupils, staff and parents at Notre education and community service at Sa - Council and is expected by the end of Dame Prep School, Norwich, have been ary 2 in Thetford Forest. April 2019. taking on charity feats to raise money for Notre Dame Prep School is planning to cred Hear t S chool. “We need to hear from as many people There is a consultation document that charity Street Child which works in the establish a link with a school in Sierra as possible during this consultation to provides more details and where you can world’s toughest places to help some of Leone, one of the poorest nations in the understand if there is widespread sup - register your views at: the most vulnerable children have access world. port for the new primary school.” www.rcdea.org.uk/sacredheartva to education. Anna Lloyd, of Street Child UK, said: Set a target of raising £1000, pupils “I’ve had the privilege of visiting some of the beneficiaries in Sierra Leone whose Celebrating our Schools Adverts elected 36 eager year five and sixes to stand as ‘Street Child Pupil Ambassa - lives have been transformed by the gen - ST THOMAS MORE PromoteThese advertsyour school can whilebe usedsupporting to promote the open paper dors’. erosity of fundraisers here in Norfolk.” CATHOLIC PRIMARY days, staff vacancies Over Christmas and New Year the mini Having just celebrated its tenth birth - as well as supporting fundraisers planned to organise a host of day, the charity, founded by Norwich

SCHOOL the paper events with ideas including a pupil-parent church-goer Tom Dannatt, recently PARK LANE, PETERBOROUGH football match, a young enterprise day launched its Count Me In campaign, and recording their own charity single. which is supported by the UK PE1 5JW The charity fund-raising will continue government’s Aid Match scheme, mean - ContactContact CharlotteJanet HEADTEACHER byby phone phone into the new year as parents and a cou - ing it will match all public donations up to

MRS MCELHINNEY 0144001440 730399 730399 ple of members of staff, Mrs Bradbury £2m made before February 21. oror email email and Mr White, will be taking part in the Visit: www.street-child.co.uk TELEPHONE 01733 566005 [email protected]@cathcom.org Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 follow youth news on Twitter at: twitter.com/igniteyea Page 9 YOUTH MATTERS Bishop Alan with the WYD group from East Anglia. Discipleship Days I The Ignite Team is launching a new series of retreats entitled 'Discipleship Days' for all those aged 16 – 35 who are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. The first one to be run this year will take place in Brandon on February 23, beginning at 10am and finishing by 5pm. Discipleship Days are free of charge. More information will be posted on our website (www.rcdea.org.uk/youth ) soon, or contact Catherine Williams at: [email protected].

Diary dates 2019 I You can see free live TV coverage of I January 21– 29: World Youth Day in all the major WYD events in Panama Panama. at: www.shalomworldtv.org/wyd2019 I March 2: Flame 2019 - Booking is now open for the biggest Catholic event in the UK at Wembley Arena.

I May 4 – 6: Ignite Diocesan Youth Festival, Swaffham.

Headinogf going to.” for Paough,n works faor a unimversity coma munity I May 6: Pilgrimage Walk to Walsingham. A group of young people from the Diocese of East Anglia The other special member is a replica sports centre and has been to three previ - of the statue of Our Lady of Walsing - ous WYD events. I June 1 – 2: Celebrate East Anglia Family will be joining Pope Francis ham, which will be making its very first “Every time I have been to World Youth Conference, Bury St. Edmunds. and up to half-a-million other visit to a WYD. It's particularly appropri - Day I have had new experiences and it is young pilgrims at World ate, explained youth director Hamish great to hear the stories of different I Youth Day (WYD) in Panama MacQueen, as the theme for this WYD is Catholic young people from across the July 29 – August 2: New Dawn Family Conference, Walsingham. at the end of January (22-27). 'I am the servant of the Lord. May it be world at the event and see them all cele - done to me according to your word'. brating their faith together. “This is a quote from the Bible when “The teaching sessions are always I August 22 – 26: Youth 2000 Prayer I As well as a handful of young people, Mary responded to the angel Gabriel really good when we hear from a bishop Festival, Walsingham. the East Anglia group will also include telling her she was going to have a son. or a cardinal and other young people two very special members. Walsingham became a place of pilgrim - about their real life experiences and I August 23 – 30: Lourdes Pilgrimage. Fr Michael Johnstone (aged 85) from age after a replica of the very house encounters with God,” said Clive. Norwich, who has attended eight previ - where this conversation between Mary A prayer vigil in Peterborough is being ous WYDs since 1981 across Europe, and Gabriel occurred was built. So an planned to coincide with the WYD I August 23 – 26: Summer Camp for those Australia and North and South America, international event with hundreds of evening vigil in Panama with Pope Fran - aged 8 – 14, Bury St Edmunds. will be one of the oldest pilgrims. thousands of people has an intrinsic link cis on Saturday January 26. It will take Fr Michael said: “For young Catholics to the small village of Walsingham.” place at St Oswald's Catholic Church, For more details of each event, please see it is an eye-opener for them to be with a Jessica McCall, aged 23, from Ipswich, from 7.30pm to midnight with people wel - www.rcdea.org.uk/youth vast number of enthusiastic fellow Chris - who is part of the Diocese of East come to come and go throughout the tians and be led by Pope Francis, Anglia’s Ignite Youth Team based at evening. reminding us of our unity in Christ. Walsingham, is making her second Ignite team leader, Catherine Williams, Youth contacts “The crowd is always joyous and I WYD trip. said: “The vigil is aimed at those aged 16+ remember Rio de Janeiro where most of She said: “I had an amazing experience and there will be adoration throughout Tel: 01508 486236 us slept on Copacabana Beach for the at World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, with some worship and reciting hours of final Saturday night before Mass for three years ago. It was amazing to see so the Divine Office. Our intention is to Email: Ignite Team enquiries three million people was celebrated by many young Catholics in one place and I focus the prayer on interceding for the [email protected] Pope Francis. Language barriers break am really excited about what we will see young people of the world and the people down in the swapping of scarves or T- in Panama. I am expecting to meet of East Anglia.” All other enquiries: [email protected] shirts, rosaries or crucifixes, with other Catholic young people from all over the I There will be full coverage in next Facebook: www.facebook.com/igniteyea people from all over the world. First world and to enjoy the teaching sessions month’s paper and a regular blog will world countries pay a premium to enable looking at different aspects of the be published following the East Twitter: @igniteyea young from the developing world to visit Catholic faith.” Anglia group’s adventure in Panama. Web: www.rcdea.org.uk/youth/ lands they would never otherwise dream Clive Sheridan, aged 26, from Peterbor - Follow it at: www.rcdea.org.uk Your chance to attend largest youth event The largest Catholic youth event in input. Archbishop Eamon Martin, Pri - to Adoration, which will be led by Cardi - the country: 'Flame Congress,' is back mate of All Ireland, will be sharing his nal Vincent Nichols in the presence of at Wembley SSE Arena on March 2 experience of the October Synod on almost all the Bishops of England and and the Diocesan Youth Service is Young People, the Faith and Vocational Wales. Music throughout the day will be running a coach to the event. Discernment. Offering a very different animated by Tim Hughes, composer of style of input will be the rapper Guvna B, “Here I am to worship.” I Diocesan Youth director, Hamish Mac - and his wife Emma, who will speak into The Diocesan Youth Service East Queen, said: “This is a great celebration the issue of stress, mental health and Anglia will be taking a group with of Catholic faith, in a vibrant atmosphere, wellbeing for our young people, as will coaches picking people up from various full of joy, with content presented in a Robert Madu, who is flying in from Texas. points across the Diocese. Tickets are £25 way which resonates for young people.” Using material directly from Adoremus, which includes subsidised transport. To Rapper Guvna B will be at Flame. This year Jean Vanier, founder of RISE Theatre will present the powerful book your place go to: L’Arche, will be giving exclusive video drama “Jesus is here” as an introduction www.rcdea.org.uk/youth/ Page 10 latest online news at: www.rcdea.org.uk Catholic East Anglia / February 2019

Medals to honour work OBITUARY of unsung Ipswich heroes I Ten parishioners have been honoured with diocesan medals in recognition of their work for St Pancras in Ipswich, reports Stephen Donaghy. Fr Francis Leeder said: “As parish priest I know that St Pancras couldn’t work without a lot of unsung heroes’ efforts behind the scenes. It was lovely to recognise some of the people who contribute so much to the parish and what was great was that they all seemed to be surprised that they were being honoured for Sr Wendy Beckett, at Quidenham. Picture copyright of EDP. their contribu - tion. That Bernadette Wood with her diocesan medal. clearly wasn’t the reason why they were doing it – and these were people who have been helping out the parish for decades.” He said the parishioners awarded medals were: Josie Inspirational Sr Wendy O’Halloran for help with children’s instruction and cater - ing; Jan Patrick and Doreen Batley for children’s Tributes have been paid cities including Cape Town and over 40 years and was a good instruction and reading in church; Anne Abbott, organist to Norfolk Catholic nun Liverpool. friend, an inspiration and totally and choir leader; Bernadette Wood for child protection, fire Sister Wendy Beckett who She began studying fine art in unique. officer and child instruction roles; Vernon Scott, David the 1980s and wrote a book on the “With her openness to God in Sparrow and Tony Turner for stewarding; Gerry Elliott for earned an international subject to raise money for her her writing and programmes she accounts; and Kathleen Vidal for catering and work on the reputation as an unlikely convent. Contemporary Women could communicate the love and “back-up team”. art critic and television Artists, published in 1988, was fol - mystery of God through art and Mrs Vidal said: “Receiving my Diocesan medal was a huge star. lowed by more books. literature to many who may not surprise. I feel most honoured and humbled to receive such She lived a hermit-like exis - otherwise hear of it. a precious award, especially for doing something that tence in a caravan at Quidenham “Christmas was a beautiful brings me so much pleasure. I must emphasise that I am Sr Wendy, who lived at the until 1991 when the BBC commis - time for her to return to her Lord part of a great team of volunteers at St Pancras.” Carmelite Monastery at Quiden - sioned her to present a television and be with him.” Mrs Abbott said: “I was delighted to receive the medal. It’s ham for the last 40 years, died documentary on the National Bishop Alan, said: “Although Sr great to know the choir really is appreciated. We do our best aged 88 on Boxing Day. Gallery in London. Wendy lived as a hermit in and do it all for God.” Born in South Africa in 1930, Sr Sr Wendy became well-loved for Quidenham, her influence and Mrs Wood, who was presented with her medal in church, Wendy was raised in Edinburgh her unique presenting style. She impact on many, many people said: “I knew some people had been put forward for a dioce - where her father studied medi - would stand in front of paintings across the world was enormous san medal but it did not occur to me I would be on that list. cine. in galleries around the world and as she spoke simply about the It was a lovely surprise to be called out to receive this award At 16 she joined a convent and discuss, without autocue, the love of God expressed through after Mass, and what a lovely response from the people at in 1950 was awarded a Congratu - work in detail. art. church that day who showed such love and happiness to me. latory First Class degree in Sr Stephanie Walters, Prioress “I am sure that her influence We serve the parish in many ways, but so also does our won - English literature from Oxford of Quidenham Monastery, said: will go on through her writings derful Fr Leeder who has to put up with all sorts of our University. She later taught in “Sr Wendy lived alongside us for and her recordings.” ideas and plans and he does so with great patience. Thank you to everyone.” Her daughter, Stephanie, said: “For all those days your daughters had to chase you round the church to get you to Anglia stalwart Val leave it for Sunday lunch. Well-deserved my mummy.” Caritas East

I Tributes have been paid to Cari - Modern slavery is focus of talk tas East Anglia stalwart Val Clark, I Modern Slavery - a Christian Response, a talk by Jacinta from Roydon, Norfolk, who has died OBITUARY Goode from the Medaille Trust will take place at St John’s after a short illness. Cathedral, Norwich, from 7.30-9pm, on Thursday February David Livesey, who worked along - 7. The Medaille Trust is a Catholic charity which supports side Val at Caritas, said: “Val did so victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. much to help establish and sustain The talk is being hosted by the Norwich Justice and Peace Caritas East Anglia but this was just Group. Its chair, Sarah Ebelewicz, said: “It's such an impor - one of the many ways in which she tant topic and one we haven't discussed before. It's a subject helped both organisations and indi - very close to Bishop Alan's heart and an issue that affects viduals to realise their potential as people who are victims of human trafficking for work here living stones of the Church. in East Anglia and throughout the UK.” “Gifted with insights and percep - tions, she shared her views with good humour and modesty recog - Epiphany crib festival is held nising that the successful fruits of her wisdom would have many par - I St Helen’s Hoveton held a wonderful Epiphany Crib Festi - val in aid of church funds on January 5 and 6. ents.” Organiser Liz Smith promoted it widely and it was even fea - Bishop Alan said: “When I visited tured on Radio Norfolk’s Treasure Quest. Val in hospital she was very much There were over 80 cribs displayed. Many of the visitors at peace with herself and in the Lord. May she now rest in peace.” enjoyed home-made cakes and refreshments and said how Val Clark. much they had enjoyed viewing so many different crib Val’s family said she was a much scenes. loved Mother and Grandmother. Val was born in Woodford Green, Her funeral took place at St Henry Mum to Matthew and Grandma to later moving to Hemsby, Gorleston Morse Church in Diss, on January Emily and Henry. and lastly to Roydon. 2. Catholic East Anglia / February 2019 follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/RCEastAnglia Page 11

BUILDING BRIDGES St Felix pupils practice what they preach Can you help

I Pupils at St Felix Catholic Primary build bridges? School in Haverhill applied what they have learnt about their responsibility as stew - ards of the earth when making new The two current Diocese of East Anglia Christmas decorations. Building Bridges projects are support Head of School, Andi Dodds, said: for the salary of a kindergarten “Using Cafod materials, pupils have learnt about Laudato Si since the papal encycli - teacher in the Holy Land and a new cal was issued three years ago and the formation centre for children, youth objective to live wisely and think deeply groups and adults at Battambang in inspired staff to make it the focus of this year’s Christmas decorations.” Cambodia. Staff and pupils saved their used milk bottles, tin foil, plastic bags, CDs and mag - If you would you like to support these azines since the beginning of term ready projects, cheques should be made for today’s creative extravaganza which is a regular joyous feature of the school’s payable to the “RC Diocese of East calendar on November 29. Anglia”. The school’s ongoing concern to make the children aware of the impact of their First decisions on the environment has made “I really like gluing and sticking so it’s Andi said: “Here at St Felix, where pupils them keen to talk about their responsibili - great to do it and recycle,” said another. are taking action to influence the lives of Name...... ties. David Attenborough, discussing his role real people, the future certainly looks “It’s better to re-use rubbish than throw it in the climate change talks in Poland in brighter for their efforts. It taught us some - Surname...... as litter on the ground or in the seas.” said December, spoke of “real people’s futures” thing we can do again next year or at ...... one pupil. in his BBC interview on November 21. home.” Address ......

...... Anne is honoured for 25 ...... Postcode......

Amount enclosed Ê years of Missio service ...... A Norwich St John's Cathedral parish- Anything you give will be divided ioner has been hon- equally between Cambodia and the oured for 25 years’ Holy Land unless you indicate by tick- service to Catholic ing the box below that all your money overseas mission should go to that project. Missio with a medal and certificate. Ë Cambodia Ë Holy Land

I Anne Clark has been a GIFT AID Local Secretary for APF-Mill You can boost your donation by 25p Hill, which is part of Missio, in Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. for 25 years. Since volunteer - Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity ing for the role back in 1993. Missio is Pope Francis Offi - from the tax you pay in the current tax cial Charity for overseas year. Your address is needed, above, mission and is part of the to identify you as a current UK tax- world wide Pontifical Mis - sionary Societies. payer. In 1993, there were around 100 Red Box holders, but Fr DECLARATION Frank McCarthy a Mill Hill missionary conducting the I am a UK taxpayer and wish the RC appeal, took pity on Anne as Diocese of East Anglia to treat this she was the only person to vol - donation as a gift aid donation. unteer to empty the boxes and Deacon Chris Brighten I understand that if I pay less Income suggested that she used presents Anne Clark with Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the envelopes to collect in the her medal and certificate. money. This idea has since current tax year than the amount of been successfully rolled out to Gift Aid claimed on all my donations Diocesan director for Mis - of Christ. Tompkins recently presented other dioceses around the it is my responsibility to pay any country. sion, Deacon Chris Brighten, Anne says of her work: “So awards at Our Lady of Lour - Over the years volunteers to said: “Anne has worked tire - here I am still collecting and des Church, Sawston to Judy difference. help Anne have dwindled in lessly over 25 years to raise counting – but what a small Searle promoter of the char - number but an appeal earlier money for our brothers and task in support of those peo - ity for almost 50 years, and Signature:………….....……...... … this year resulted in over 65 sisters in the developing ple who have the courage to Julie Beaton local secretary Red Boxes being distributed world, for missionary to put their faith into action.” for 11 years. When Judy first and with many new annual spread the Good News of the If you want to find out more started emptying Missio Date:……………………...... ……… members. Gospel, to communities of the work of Missio, or boxes, it was the custom to go Anne’s father Dick Clark, mostly in Africa, Asia and would like a Red Box, please to a box-holder’s house and Please send to: Building Bridges, 21 had been the APF-Mill Hill South America. These contact Anne Clark at the count the money there. Both Upgate, Poringland, Norwich, NR14 secretary at St Mary's Catholic communities are too Cathedral or Deacon Chris Judy and Julie were presented Ipswich, for over 25 years and young, too small or too poor to Brighten, The Diocesan Direc - with a framed certificates and 7SH she says that she had no idea support themselves, and cer - tor for Missio in East Anglia, bouquet of flowers. Eileen why she wasn't daunted by tainly need our help. Some at chris.brighten@st- thanked parishioners for Registered charity no 278742 counting all that copper, when risk their lives to remain mary.org.uk their generosity and new box helping her father. faithful to the Gospel I Missio Lay Appealer Eileen holders were signed up. Page 12 latest online news at: www.rcdea.org.uk Catholic East Anglia / February 2019

News picture gallery from parishes around the Diocese

I Fourteen altar servers turned out at St Felix’ Church Haverhill on December 26 to celebrate the Feast of St Stephen by serving at the annual Mass for altar servers and to renew their promises as members of the Guild of St Stephen. Deacon Huw Williams said: “We were delighted to enrol three new members into the Guild this year and an extra special award, the Diocesan Medal, was made to Brendan Grace. “Brendan has helped us in St Felix’ parish for many years being an altar server during the week as well as at weekends, and organising the maintenance and upkeep of our lovely church. He started as an altar server in Ireland 65 years ago at the age of 7 and is just as active and keen today, an example to our young people. We are delighted that he has made his home with us in Haverhill.”

I Our Lady Star of the Sea in Lowestoft was bedecked with crib scenes over Christmas, many reflecting the multi-national community. Deacon Stephen Pomeroy said: “We have over 42 nationalities represented in our congregation from Poland to the Philippines and even the Seychelles. Several groups of parishioners helped to put up the cribs and they will remain in place through - out the 40 days of the Christmas season, which ends on the Feast day of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Purification of Mary on February 2, to remind us of the message of Christ Immanuel.” I The Vigil Mass of Christmas saw a vast congregation in attendance on Christ - mas Eve at a packed St John the Baptist Cathedral in Norwich, when families filled almost every conceivable space. The popular Mass included numerous children who joined in the Nativity scene in front of the altar and then crowded around the crib in the sunken chapel alongside the nave where a large crib was in place and where Cathedral Dean, Canon David Paul, spoke to them and led the singing of Away in a Manager. See a full picture gallery at www.rcdea.org.uk

I The CAFOD team in Fressingfield (part of St Edmund’s Parish Bungay and Harleston) have achieved their target of making £1000 for the develop - ment charity in 2018. Present at the six produce markets in the Suffolk vil - lage, Mary Kirk, Shirley (pictured above)and Mark Kalinauckas inspired parishioners to bring cakes, scones, sausage rolls, jams, preserves, plants and gar - den produce to sell for Cafod’s Connect2Peru appeal. What helped them achieve the four-figure sum were the beautiful cot quilts made by Bungay parishioner I The 17th Norwich St George’s Scout Group have had a busy few weeks according Felicity Todd. “These have really boosted our pro - to its chair Gillian Hanley. “Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers were on parade ceeds,” said Mary. “We can’t thank Felicity enough. for Remembrance Sunday, forming a guard of honour for St George’s parish. “CAFOD is one of our parish's two chosen charities. “They have also been busy raising funds, along with local businesses to buy and A wonderful and dedicated team of a few people work install an Automated External Defibrillator along with new security lighting on hard every time we appeal for goods and produce for the outside wall of St George's Church hall. the stall. We’re happy to collect items from anyone “Finally the Scouts and Explorers assembled to pack 30 Christmas hampers, in who is able to contribute and always welcome new vol - conjunction with the local SVP group, and then distribute them to the needy. We unteers. If you would like to help in 2019 get in touch are a very active group and enjoy helping others in the parish and the local with the St Edmunds’s CAFOD team on 01223, 07779 community,” she said. 804252 or at [email protected]