National Catholic Scout Fellowship ‘...actively supporting Catholics in Scouting Happy Easter The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page Spring 2011—Number 200 Officer Details… Page 3 Resources… Page 3 Bishop Richard’s Thoughts… Pages 4 & 5 Official Statement… Page 5 Chairman’s Thoughts… Pages 6 to 7 Founder’s Day Mass… Pages 8 & 9 Obit—Maeiraid Mount… Page 10 World Youth Day… Page 10 Membership Form and Gift Aid Form… Pages 11 & 12 News from Clifton Guild… Page 13 Notice Board… Pages 14 & 15 International Scouting… Pages 16 to 19 National Chaplain… Pages 20 to 21 CIGS Update… Page 22 CISG Contacts… Page 23 Centenary Prayer...Page 24 Gift Aid If you are making any donations to the NCSF or paying a membership fee (Groups do not qualify for this) then why not make it ‘Gift Aided’ It is quite simple if you pay tax then the Inland Revenue will give the NCSF 28p back for every £1.00 paid. See enclosed form! Until 5th April 2011. Exec Meetings - Saturday, 9th July, same time same place. AGM - 21 - 23 OCTOBER 2011 The views and opinions expressed in articles in this publication are solely those of the authors and not the Scout Association. They are intended for the consideration of the readership and in particular the members of the NCSF. Page 2 Spring 2011 Issue Chairman Secretary Margaret M H McDowall Patsy Warren ‘Kilpheder’ 12 Cleves Crescent 45 Scotby Avenue Cheslyn Hay Chatham Staffordshire Kent WS6 7LR ME5 8ER 01922-413489 01634 307335 [email protected] Treasurer National RC Chaplain Patrick Warren Fr. John Seddon 12 Cleves Crescent 165 Liverpool Road Cheslyn Hay Crosby Staffordshire Liverpool WS6 7LR L23 0QN 01922-413489 0151 949 1782 [email protected] [email protected] Link Editor: Fr David Lannon Email: [email protected] A selection of resource material is available from the NCSF Badge Secretary to ease the work of Catholics in Scouting. They can be obtained from the following address. These are available from: Ki-Ro Items Want to see what you are Ann Ingleby going get? 14 Rangers Walk 38mm badges 53p Etching Hill 50mm badges 65p A catalogue of all the items Rugeley Woggles £1.25 available will be shortly be Staffs viewable and downloadable WS15 2NA The New Pin Badge £1 from the website. This should make it easier for you Tel: 01889 585345 ICCS Centenary badges to order items. price £1.50 The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 3 Thoughts from a Bishop new to Scouting... It was a real pleasure for me to be welcomed into the Scouting World at the recent Fellowship Mass at St. George’s Cathedral, Southwark and I am grateful, too, for this little opportunity to introduce myself as the new Liaison Bishop for the Catholic Scout Fellowship in England & Wales. My ministry as a priest has been carried out in South London. In Clapham Park, where I was posted after Ordination, Scouting was a serious business, with regular Church parades. Following my time in Canada, I served in Lewisham for five years. Here I found myself chaplain to the Brownies. The pack was a large one and benefitted from very enthusiastic leadership. Then, for seventeen years, I served at Archbishop’s House, Southwark, first as Private Secretary to the Archbishop and, latterly, as Vicar General . In 2009, the Holy Father appointed me Bishop of the Armed Forces and I am now privileged to serve the Catholic community across the three services. My knowledge of scouting is a little sketchy, I have to admit. I was a Wolf Cub – that will give a clue as to my age – and enjoyed that experience very much indeed. However, I never found myself with an opportunity to further the scouting career. I did learn some field craft, however, as a member of the Combined Cadet Force and have spent many happy days walking in Wales and Scotland – winter and summer. When studying Canon Law in Canada, I took to Cross-Country Skiing and was able to carry this pursuit on in Norway and Scotland. I have a great love of Horse Riding and did, for a while, have the real joy of owning my own horse. 2012 might find me at Greenwich for the Equestrian side of the Olympics – as a spectator, of course!! Scouting has a very special place in the life of this country and, I firmly believe, provides many good opportunities for our Catholic scouts to grow in Faith and Service of others. We are blessed to Page 4 Spring 2011 Issue have sound leadership within the Catholic Scouting Fellowship here in England & Wales and Bishop Edwin Regan has given wonderful support to everyone in recent years. There is much for which to give thanks. I look forward to being with you all over the time ahead and sharing something of your Scouting experience as together we grow in Faith and in Service of others. With every Blessing, Official Statement on ‘My Body My Choice’... “The Scout Association has published the resources My Body, My Choice in response to requests from members. The recognition given in the document to the place of abstinence in combating the problems of STIs and teenage pregnancy is welcomed. We also appreciate that Scouting recognises the importance of the religious beliefs of young people and the wishes of their parents regarding the formation being offered. The Scout Association, along with the publication of My Body My Choice, is also making available a teaching document, Cherishing Human Sexuality which sets out Catholic teaching in this area, and draws on the Bishop’s Conference document Cherishing Life . Cherishing Sexuality will further an appreciation of the Gospel of life, which is at the heart of the Church’s understanding of human relationships.” +Richard Bishop Moth has also sent this to the Catholic Communications Network at the Bishops’ Conference. The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 5 The Chairman’s thoughts... February was a really good month for us as we had the biggest turnout ever for our annual mass at St Geroge’s Cathedral in Southwark London. As you will see we gave Bishop Edwin a rousing send off and a hearty welcome to our new link Bishop, Bishop Richard Moth, who is also Bishop of the Forces We took part in an event called ‘Active-8’ put on by Kent County Scouts in Maidstone. We were the only Faith Group represented there and it was surprising how many people were not aware of our presence or, for that matter, of any other Faith Fellowships. It was good to meet so many people and let them know of our existence. The event was an opportunity for Kent Scouters to visit and glean ideas and information from a variety of sources. We have also been invited to take part in the Kent Scouts International Jamboree, along with other Faith representatives, in 2013. We can only offer help if people know of our existence, so please tell your fellow scouters about us. By the time you receive this edition of ‘The Link’ you will have seen in the media about the new Scout Headquarters initiative ‘My Body, My Choice’. Can I direct you to our Website www.catholicsinscouting.org.uk where you will be able to see our document ‘Catholics in Scouting and Cherishing Human Sexuality’ This gives the Catholic Church’s teaching on this subject. As a parent, albeit a very old one, I do not think it is the responsibility of the Scout Association to be going down this particular path. It is a path fraught with many dangers. Not all Scout Leaders think the same on this matter and as a practising Catholic I am sure that the advice I would have to give, if in that position, would not concur with the Scout Association’s view point, especially on the more sensitive parts of the document. Life and our bodies are a very precious commodity and should not be treated otherwise. As St Paul says, “Our bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit” and that is how they should remain. Fr John has stated in his report that we will be working on a resource that is in line with the teaching of the Church. We now have the date for our AGM. It is a residential one based at the De Vere Hotel at Cheadle in Manchester. The theme of the weekend is “Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the Faith." (Colossians 2:7) (Providing the Faith in our sectional scouting programmes). We also plan to have a report and presentation from our young people who will be taking part in World Youth Day in Madrid. If you are asking why have we chosen an hotel the answer is that we could not find any religious house who could accommodate us at the time we wanted, also the facilities they were offering were not of the standard we would want for our members to; i.e. some could only offer single rooms and very few could offer en- suite also their prices were no cheaper than the deal we have got from the De Vere Hotel. The accommodation here is first rate with all rooms being en-suite Page 6 Spring 2011 Issue and easy access for those who have difficulties with stairs etc. We will have the use of our own conference room with breakfast and refreshments supplied all day ending with an evening meal and lunch on the Sunday. The AGM will take place on the Sunday morning and will be followed by Mass, the day concludes with Lunch.