B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B Issue 4 2012 B B £2.00 In TouchB ● Our Parish Magazine ● B B B For back issues of InTouch go to B B myintouch.co.uk Woodford Green Essex Woodford y Santa at the Christmas Fayre B B B B B B of Canterbur B B B B BB B

BSt Thomas B B B B B B BB Issue 4 2012 In Touch is the parish magazine of the parish of St Thomas of Canterbury, 8 Woodford Green, Essex (Served by the Order of In Touch Friars Minor). The parish We specialise in all Property related matters, includes Chigwell Convent Mass Centre & a Mass Contents Centre at Landlord and Tenant, Family Law, Wills, From the Editor’s Desk. St James, Palmerston Road, 4 Heaven is not solely populated by Catholics, but hell...? Probate and Trusts Buckhurst Hill. Patriarch Gregory III Laham of Antioch Editor 4 The Melkite Church, leaven to all faiths and cultures. For a no obligation chat call James McMullan on Leon Menzies Racionzer By Leon Menzies Racionzer. 020 8559 1617 [email protected] A Sticky Situation: By Ann Farmer. 7 A scientific paper; in a nutshell, the evolution theory of 020 8418 3222 sticky tape in sticky situations. 10 We do home and hospital visits if required Design Ranjika De Silva 8 Lenten Lunches: By Sheelagh Hunter and Illustrations Diana Turpin. Law Chambers, Adrian Whitehall Raising funds for Mary’s Meals. [email protected] 258 High Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1RB Cranberries: By Mary Knights. 10 Proof Readers The bouncing berries. Patricia Donald Humour: By Jo King www.lmjsolicitors.co.uk [email protected] Coleen Carlile 13 Paraprosdokians, Know what they are? Editorial and Monopoly. Letters to 14 Find Piccadilly to get out of jail. The Editor Idvies Local Catholic History. By Peter Walsh 72 Malvern Drive 14 Tales of Monsignor O’Grady DON’T GET BURGLED!!!! Woodford Green IG8 0JP 20 [email protected] 15 Poetry corner. By Ann Farmer 14 IF A BURGLAR ENTERED YOUR GARDEN AND THEN SAW A LIGHT The Olympic Aspirations of Terrence Trent d’Arby. Advertising Manager Pius XII: A Ceaseless Quest for the Least-Worst COME ON IN THE HOUSE, WOULDN’T HE THINK IT WAS OCCUPIED? Jerry Crowley 16 020 8505 1689 Option - Part 1. Jerry Crowley takes a practical look at the dilemmas that faced advertising@myintouch. Pius XII. ISN’T THAT THE BEST DETERRENT? co.uk Chronicle of Parish Events. P. A. Nash. CALL NOW AND ASK ABOUT OUR ‘HOME-AWAY’SECURITY SYSTEM. Printed by 20 The Christmas Fayre, Transitus and the AGM plus a bit more. Promoworx Ltd 28 High Road, Letters to the Editor. South Woodford, 22 Can it be right to come between an individual and God? London, E18 2QL 020 8530 1500 Who was St Boniface? By Patricia Donald. www.promoworx.co.uk 24 Pat’s recent trip to Germany in pursuit of a saint from Devon.

[email protected] Pilgrimage to Assisi led by Fr Patrick Lonsdale. 27 By Frank Fitzpatrick.

A 24 General Assembly of Lay Associates – Martillac 28 Report by Kathy Howes.

JBPP FOR ALL YOUR HOME ELECTRICAL PROJECTS,UPGRADES, AND REPAIRS. An angle on Lourdes. By Paul Chrichton This is issue 75 of In Touch 29 So what is the Lourdes effect? First published July 1992 WE ALSO INSTALL WIRELESS HOME ALARMS FROM JUST £320. Includes full product training & support. Embarrassing Moments. By Coleen Carlile. 30 Tale of a slithery experience. 28 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 3 FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Patriarch Gregory III Laham of Catholic Church was the true way; ‘it must be firmly believed that “the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, Y is necessary for salvation: the one Antioch The Melkite Church, leaven Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation’. Well, at least that is how the other churches and other faiths to all faiths and cultures by Leon Menzies Racionzer read it! But perhaps all was forgiven when the same Cardinal, now is Beatitude Gregorios and Syria, although large communi- languages of worship are Arabic or but one of giving, for Christianity is as Pope Benedict XVI, in the first III, Patriarch of Antioch ties live outside of the Middle East Greek, but today, as in the West, the leaven that can unite the Islamic encyclical of his pontificate in 2005, and All the East, of region, particularly in Europe, the services are held in the vernacular world. The Melkite Church, without Writing on the 1st day of December, surely the most beautiful encyclical Alexandria and of United States and Canada, and also of the country where the Church is borders, (although minute in terms the last day of the Church’s year, ever, expresses a God of Love that H Jerusalem, having just left the significant communities in Argentina located. of numbers, of the 360million Arabs I steal myself from a tendency to extends equally to all mankind. first assembly of European and Brazil. Gregory III was elected Gregorios III spoke of a different only 16 million are Christian), must prophesy. It is difficult not to sound So it is that we see at last an ever Melkites which was held from patriarch on November 29, 2000, ecumenism than that which we are remain present in the region to give prophetic having regard to the increasing tendency toward living 1st to 3rd November 2012 in and might be considered one of accustomed to hearing. There is no testimony by living with and for those events of 2012 in the UK, in the interfaith, as opposed to Interfaith Saint Stephen’s convent at the most important Christian lead- doubt that the problems in Syria who are not Christian. Christians Church and in the wider Universe. It Dialogue; a term I have chosen to Aubazine in Corrèze (France), on ers in Syria, the Middle East and and the whole of the Levant have celebrating the Islamic feasts with is the eclectic nature of the contents avoid since it has been reduced to the 6th November gave a talk in the Catholic Church. He Muslims and Muslims of this issue that have drawn me to merely drinking tea with those of at Heythrop College, University jokingly told of how on his celebrating the Christian muse on the changing face of the ‘other’ faiths, in the witness of such of London, titled ‘The Melkite election he banned all emi- feast with Christians is Church, of society and indeed of as His Beatitude Gregorios III see Church: living with and for oth- gration of Christians from a dialogue of living that mankind in an ever-shrinking world. right. ers: dialogue of civilizations, dia- the Middle East but was does not require the less I doubt if anybody can honestly And if the Holy Family Sisters can logue of life.’ aware that such a ban was effective verbal dialogue say there is not something for every- be regarded as witnessing to the Gregorios III, Patriarch of the larg- futile. However a ban that that can lead to discord. one in this issue and indeed I hope Church’s changing stance on the est Christian community in Israel has not been futile and This dialogue of life is that could be said of all issues. The role of humanity in the Universe, and all the Middle East, whose title effective is his ban against being lived out now in the highbrow scientific articles of the Kathy Howes’ report of their General was not conferred by Rome but by Christians bearing arms. If recently opened three past issues have been both derided Assembly of Lay Associates on the Sultan, unlike the Patriarchs of the Christians were to bear faiths centre, ‘Encounter’, and praised; they can be read by page 28 is something of a revela- other Eastern Rite Oriental churches arms it would be the end of in Lebanon that the those who wish to read them or tion for in it we hear the voice of who have fled to the West with hun- Christianity in the region. Patriarch has been instru- ignored. The letters’ page again cov- the Vedic/Hindu traditions that pre- dreds of thousands of their flock, is He gave an account of mental in setting up. The ers a wide range of comment about date Christianity, ‘When we look at based and is determined to remain the Melkite Catholic Church, centre has been fully this magazine as well as about the Cosmology related to God we see in Damascus, Syria, the birthplace of its Byzantine roots and funded by the Sultan of Church and society at large. that all are interrelated, God, Earth, liturgical practices rooted in Oman in which celebra- of Christianity according to Bashar Beatitude Gregorios III, Patriarch of Antioch October 11th marked fifty years creatures, everything…all evolving Hafez al-Assad the besieged Syrian those of Eastern Orthodoxy tions, meetings and confer- since the opening of the Second and changing. A new way of seeing president who said as much to the and explained his own identity as more to do with the warring dif- ences by and between the three Vatican Council, a Council that all as interconnected, interrelated Patriarch. Arab but not Muslim, Catholic but ferent Islamic factions, Sunni, Shia Abrahamic faiths are taking place brought the church, eventually I and interdependent.’ The Sanskrit Of the 265 recognised Popes, not Latin i.e. Roman, and Oriental and Wah-ha-bi, to mention only the and the Patriarch hopes will continue might say, screaming and kicking word for this expression of oneness no fewer than 9 were Arab from but not Orthodox and in full com- better known ones, than it has to to take place and to prosper. into a new way of seeing all of man- is Pratityasamutpada, straight from Syria. Indeed, the Priarch explained munion with Rome in obedience to do with democracy as we know it. The role of the Melkite Church can kind as the treasured possession of Buddhist sacred writ. the considerable debt owed to the the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, at The Arab Spring lacks vision; it is perhaps be best summed up in the God and accepting, excuse the over- So I wonder, what will the Bishop’s Church of the Arabs who translated least since the Melkites split with the not evolution but revolution. In this words of the Patriarch at the close of simplification of Nostra Aetate, that Advent letter have to say tomorrow, Arabic to Greek and taught Greek cul- Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch in hostile Arab/Islamic environment, the Aubazine gathering “Fear not.” Heaven is not populated solely by the first Sunday of Advent, and what ture in Spain. The Patriarch remains 1729. According to Church tradition, where everybody except the ever The little flock must not be afraid… Catholics. Mind you, this grudgingly about 21st December, the last day in Syria, a very visible and active the Melkite Church of Antioch is the dwindling Christian population bear It is salt, light and leaven. That is its accepted doctrine was somewhat of the Mayan 5000 year calendar ecumenical presence in Damascus “oldest continuous Christian com- arms, the Christian has an important mission, its great mission, for the big watered down by the then Prefect and the day for the publication of in spite of the current difficulties munity in the world”. The traditional role to play; not a subservient role flock, wherever it may be. In the East of the Congregation for the Doctrine Osman Özters first book? Will either that Christians and other minorities for Islam; in the West for a totally of the Faith in August 2000, Joseph demote Church, Religions and are facing there. He is the leader secularised society that has lost its Cardinal Ratzinger, in the declara- indeed Mankind from their egotistic of the world-wide Melkite Church Christians celebrating the Islamic feasts with values. Wherever God has placed it, tion Dominus Iesus which seemed coviction that the Universe revolves estimated to have 1.6 million wor- it is in communion and witness of to suggest, once again excuse the around them? shippers which in the Middle East Muslims and Muslims celebrating the faith in Jesus Christ, in order to walk over-simplification, that only the Leon Menzies racionzer is mainly concentrated in Lebanon Christian feast with Christians along a road of faith with everyone. 4 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 5 l Greenmantle l Woodford Green 20 Mornington Road l Woodford Green l Essex IG8 0TL By Ann Farmer 020 8506 2301 and 020 8504 3650 Funeral Directors A sticky situation (inc TA C Lambart & co Ltd) A luxury care home ost of us are famil- to increase sales. At 2am you start for old people and Local Independent Funeral Directors iar with sticky tape; to hallucinate that if you run out of Admittedly there indeed, too familiar paper, at least you will be able to wrap people with dementia – I have had a small the presents solely in sticky tape. is no such thing “Living in comfort, dignity and M sliver of it stuck to my finger Three rolls of sticky tape later - and style” in a warm family atmosphere A Complete since last Christmas. That with no paper - you start looking as being in is the problem with sticky for a ball of string, desperately The Care The Home control of sticky • Long and Short term stays • An attractive modernised tape; but also, it has to be calculating the exact length • Twenty four hour professional Edwardian home located within Funeral Service admitted, its most useful required to cover a present. care by fully qualified and the Woodford Green tape – rather, the experienced staff conservation area close to all feature. Un-sticky sticky For future reference, it’s as • Physician in attendance amenities offering: l Private Chapel of Rest tape is about as useful as long as a piece of string. • A nurse call system in every room • Comfortable single bedrooms sticky tape is in - four with en-suite facilities salt that has lost its salti- At this point, you may be suf- • First class catering to meet l 24 Hour Personal Service individual needs and religion • Choice of showers or bathroom fering from what is known among with hoist ness, and we know what hap- control of you • Home entertainment and outings l Arrangements may be made in the scientists as STR - sticky tape rage; • Occupational Therapy • Luxurious lounge and dining pens to that. room • Visiting hairdresser, privacy of you own home My sense of grievance may be right- although psychologists may diagnose adultery as the leftover of primitive physiotherapist and • Double glazed heated chiropodist arranged on request conservatory l A Golden choice of pre-paid funeral ly criticized as the equivalent of com- you as suffering from a childhood gene spreading, amusement evolves • Residents’ own furniture and • Six person lift plaining about the hotness of fire - but attachment disorder. However, the into irritation. This • Full central heating plans available belongings welcome let’s stick (pun intended, and more to evolutionary theorist would interpret sort of evolution- • Residents’ visitors welcome at • Satellite TV, music centre and l Traditional courtesy and conduct throughout all times piano come) with the problem of sticky tape. your rage as an evolutionary left-over ary theory begins • Resident meetings and • Regularly changed library books Roughly stated, you believe you have from more primitive times, a remnant by explaining questionnaires 354 High Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0QX • Own newsletter in colour and • Beautiful gardens found a foolproof method of wrap- of the Stone Age; a primitive reflex human behav- annual report • Own mini bus with tail lift (Opposite the castle Public House) 020 8504 4372 - 020 8559 1979 ping presents, especially when con- action imprinted on the genes; the iour and ends Members of the National care Homes Association founded by the mysteries of string; race memory of the stickiness of your by justifying it, but just as the string has you tied up adversary’s blood, famously recalled attracting the in knots, the sticky tape refuses to by Lady MacBeth’s somnambulatory sort of readers stick to the parcel and instead prefers attempts at washing her hands after who have no inter- to stick to you. The fingers intended poor Duncan’s sudden enforced exit; est in history, let alone to do the sticking end up being stuck; in short, evolutionary frustration at pre-history, but who merely want to the present you intended to wrap not being in control. justify their shortcomings. Recently, a remains unwrapped, while you end Admittedly there is no such thing prominent individual excused his tak- up wrapped in sticky tape. The faithful as being in control of sticky tape – ing too close and personal an interest s servant becomes a malicious master, rather, the sticky tape is in control of and even when - if - you detach it from you. But you can explain just about your fingers and it becomes attached anything with evolutionary theory – to the wrapping paper, it is always shaking hands, for example, may crooked, and always in be a leftover from the days when it the wrong place. was necessary to check your appar- But that is not ently mild-mannered neighbour for the worst of it: you concealed clubs; kissing was a think that if you way of marking individuals as act swiftly you will trustworthy, with saliva – which be able to detach explains the French. it without damaging OK, I made that up, but you can your expensive wrapping read something equally bizarre paper. You are swiftly proved wrong. in the newspaper every week, You discard the paper; sticky tape usually on a Monday. Always good still attached, and start over again. As for filling that small empty para- midnight approaches, you suspect a graph, even if incapable of sinister plot on the part of sticky tape proof they are useful for manufacturers to increase sales. As breaking the ice at par- 1.00am approaches, you suspect ties. But when it comes an even more sinister sticky tape/ to all-too-frequent stud- wrapping paper manufacturer plot ies that purport to show 6 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 7 s in a colleague after an alcohol-fuelled celebration by commenting ‘We are a clever ape’ – not only insulting to Lenten Lunches teetotal apes, but to apes that are too clever to allow photographers catch- By Sheelah Hunter and Diana Turpin ing them not being clever. If we aped A goat for Christmas? You must be kidding! apes it might be an improvement; being human, we look for justification, Raising funds for Mary’s Meals It’s not too late to buy your loved ones fun and meaningful presents if not before the Lord, then before from our range of World Gifts. Send an e-gift – it’s instant! science and our own ill-formed con- ing floods have added to their prob- science; also being human, we must lems. There are lots of gifts to choose from. From crab farms to community have a standard - however low - to Mary’s Meals is the brainchild of toilets. And the best part is that your gifts will also make a world of difference to some of the world’s poorest communities at the same time. stick to. a UK businessman, Tony Smith, and Well, the evolutionist has found a owes its name to the Blessed Virgin Order your gift! low standard, and has raised it high Mary. Smith was influenced by the Online at cafod.org.uk/worldgifts - and is sticking to it. It is the evolution- world food programme and its co- By phone on 0808 14 000 14 Charity number 285776 ary theory of everything, but like sticky founder Senator James McGovern.

tape it is a bad master: you think you When the businessman met Magnus have it taped, but the tape has you Macfarlane-Barrow, Director of

taped; the theory will control the theo- Scottish International Relief, a charity rist, rather than the other way round. distributing millions of pounds worth

Having explained one aberration as of aid in many poor countries, the two natural and value-free, he is forced to men recognised the similarities of 2012 Examination Results: 93% of explain away innumerable unnatural ou probably remember their aims, and Mary’s Meals came students in Year 11 gained 5 or more GCSE negative consequences. Moreover, reading about Martha into being. It now feeds 650,000 passes Grade A*- C and 41% at A* - A. not content simply with ‘explaining’ Y Payne, the nine-year children every school day in sixteen The A level pass rates were 99% vice, evolutionists are keen to explain old Scottish schoolgirl whose countries. In Haiti, it provides daily Grades A* - E, 51% Grades A* - B. away virtue: altruism is an enduring blog about school dinners, meals in the largest and poorest puzzle to those convinced that it can Neverseconds, raised £100,000 slum, Cite Soleil, and in the Gonaives have served no purpose in Man’s for Mary’s Meals. What you may and Hinche region. For some children evolution – think Richard Dawkins’ not know is that, for the past this is the only meal that they will have ‘selfish gene’. two years, the parishioners of St during the day. But perhaps in seeking evolution- Thomas of Canterbury, together During Lent 2013 we intend once FREE WILL CONSULTATION ary ‘explanations’ for immorality, with those from the local church- again to support Mary’s Meals and Are you happy for the intestacy laws of the country to dictate who receives your estate? morally speaking we haven’t evolved es, have also been supporting this their work in Haiti. The lunches begin very much at all: history – if not pre- small but dynamic charity. Lenten at 12:30 pm on the 19th of February history – shows that people have lunches held at the Becket Centre and our wonderfully inventive team PROBATE always sought to escape from sticky over the last three years on the of soupmakers from the Woodford Call us for a quote you will be surprised how much you can save! situations - conscience, commitment, six Tuesdays of Lent, have raised Churches is ready to provide a tasty compassion – but that they fail dis- almost £2,000. All that money treat for one and all. The meals con- LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY mally to extricate themselves, simply has gone to help the people of sist of soup, home-made of course, Unless you make a Lasting Power of Attorney your family will NOT be becoming more firmly enmeshed. As Haiti; in the first year with dona- and some French bread and costs able to deal with your financial affairs if you are unable to do so yourself. with sticky tape, we refuse to admit tions to the earthquake relief £2:50 per head. Do please make a defeat, insisting that we are simply fund, and then, for the last two note of the date and come along, we INHERITANCE TAX sticking to our principles. In the Greek years, directly to Mary’s Meals. would be delighted to see you and you Is your estate above the inheritance tax threshold? myth, Arachne is turned into a spider On 12th January 2012, a massive can help us raise even more money to after offending the goddess Athena earthquake, magnitude 7.0, struck support Mary’s Meals in Haiti. How will IHT be funded on your death? by boasting of her superior spinning Haiti, killing an estimated 200,000 powers; she ends up catching insects people. Over 188,383 houses were WE DO HOME AND HOSPITAL VISITS in her web, and there is no shortage of badly damaged and 105,000 were victims. Likewise, evolutionary theory destroyed by the earthquake, leav- attracts a growing num- ing 1.5 million homeless. Haiti was PROTECT YOUR ASSETS NOW – CALL YVETTE BACCHUS ON ber of adherents - like already the poorest nation in the 0208 524 9111 OR 07932 506 031 sticky tape, but Americas and Mary’s Meals worked or email Yvette at [email protected] (sadly) unlike my there before the disaster. Nearly three Theory of Sticky years later, many people are still living www.bacchuslaw.co.uk Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No: 282253 Tape. But that’s in slum conditions, and this autumn’s still evolving. Hurricane Sandy and the accompany- 8 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 9 Mary Knights Christmas chocolate and them with the sponge mixture and cranberry sponge pudding with bake until sponge is firm to the touch. orange cream Serve warm with the orange cream. FOOD PAGES Cranberries For the sponge pudding Decorate with remaining orange 100g butter slices. Please send in any recipes 100gsugar of your own making that you Yule fizz Serves 4 2 free-range eggs 100ml chilled cranberry juice have enjoyed. See that the not just for Christmas! 85g self raising flour 100ml chilled freshly pressed apple juice quantities of ingredients are glossy, scarlet red, past, rely on unsweetened cranberry riers made of slanted boards. The 25g cocoa powder Chilled champagne, to top up very tart berry, the juice made from whole berries and best berries bounce over the barri- splash ofmilk Few frozen cranberries clearly stated and only send cranberry belongs dried or frozen cranberries. ers, while the inferior ones collect in 2 oranges – juice of one, the other 1 Pour the cranberry juice into in recipes that you have tried in thin slices to the same genus the reject pile. a champagne flute glass. and tested. Submissions to The deeper red their colour, the 2 tbsp cranberries – fresh or as the blueberry, History 2 Add the apple juice, and AVaccinium. (Both berries also American Indians enjoyed cran- more highly concentrated are cran- frozen Mary Knights c/o the editor top up with champagne. belong to the food fami- berries cooked and sweetened berries’ beneficial compounds. 2 tbsp sugar 72 Malvern Drive IG8 0JP ly called Ericaceae, also with honey or maple syrup—a Fresh ripe cranberries can be For the orange cream 3 Add the frozen cranberries and serve. or email known as the heath or cranberry sauce recipe that stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 1 orange, zest only heather family.) Like blue- was likely a treat at early New weeks. Before storing, discard any 2 tbsp double cream Cranberry mincemeat [email protected] berries, cranberries can England Thanksgiving feasts. soft, discoloured, pitted or shrivelled 2 tbsp yoghurt 100g butter still be found growing as wild By the beginning of the 18th fruits. When removed from the refrig- 1 tbsp caster sugar 200g soft dark brown sugar e.g. shrubs in northern Europe, north- century, the tart red berries were erator, cranberries may look damp, Traditional cranberry sauce unrefined muscovado ern Asia, and North America. already being exported to England by but such moistness does not indi- 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/ 225g Fresh cranberries When cultivated, however, cran- the colonists. Cranberries were also cate spoilage, unless the berries are Gas 4. 250ml orange juice Grated zest and juice of 1 orange 2 tsp ground mixed spice 4 Tablespoons fine cut marmalade berries are grown on low trailing used by the Indians decoratively, as a discoloured or feel sticky, leathery or 2 For the sponge, cream the butter 1/ tsp ground cinnamon vines on top of great sandy bogs. source of red dye, and medicinally, as tough. One of the remarkable prop- and sugar and beat until pale and 2 125g light muscovado sugar 1/ tsp ginger Cranberries have also been called a poultice for wounds since not only erties of fresh cranberries is their fluffy. Add the egg and continue to 2 50ml port pinch of grated nutmeg “bounceberries,” because ripe ones do their astringent tannins contract ability to keep for months on end in beat until well combined. Add the 1 Put all ingredients into a pan, mix bounce, and “craneberries,” a poetic tissues and help stop bleeding, but a cool place. This is because they flour, cocoa powder and a splash of 250g Bramley apples together well and bring to the boil. allusion to the fact that their pale pink we now also know that compounds contain large amounts of benzoic milk and mix together until smooth. 200g sultanas Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the blossoms look a bit like the heads of in cranberries have antibiotic effects. acid, which is a natural preservative. 200g currants cranberries have softened and the 3 In a small ovenproof frying pan, the cranes that frequent cranberry Although several species of cran- Once frozen, cranberries may be 100g dried cranberries sauce has thickened. The sauce can add the juice of one orange, the bogs. The variety cultivated commer- berries grow wild in Europe and Asia kept for several years. To freeze, 200g mixed peel finely chopped be made a few days before Christmas cranberries, sugar and three thin cially in the northern United States and have always been enjoyed in spread fresh cranberries out on a 1 tbsp grated orange zest and kept in the refrigerator – if there’s and southern Canada, the American these parts of the world, the cran- baking sheet and place in the freez- slices of the second orange. Cook room!! over a low heat until the sugar has 150ml brandy, cognac, rum or whisky cranberry, produces a larger berry berry most cultivated as a commer- er. In a couple of hours, the fully 2 To freeze – tip into a freezer dissolved, then bring the mixture to a 1 Combine the butter, sugar, than either the Southern cranberry, cial crop is an American native, which frozen berries will be ready to trans- proof container and cool. Can boil. Cook until the liquid has reduced orange juice and all the a wild species that is native to the owes its success to one Henry Hall, fer to a freezer bag. Don’t forget to be kept in the freezer for up to by half. spices in a saucepan, and mountains of the eastern United an observant gentleman in Dennis, date the bag before returning to the one month. States, or the European variety. Massachusetts. In 1840, Mr. Hall freezer. 4 Working quickly, spoon the sponge leave on a gentle heat, stirring Cranberries have long been val- noticed an abundance of large berries Once thawed, frozen berries will mixture on top of the orange mixture occasionally, until the butter 3 To serve thaw overnight at ued for their ability to help prevent grew when sand was swept into his be quite soft and should be used so that it is completely covered has melted and the mixture is smooth. cool room temperature and treat urinary tract infections. bog by the prevailing winds and tides. immediately. (ensure there are no spaces or gaps 2 Peel, quarter, core and finely chop Cranberry Stuffing balls Now, recent studies suggest that The sandy bog provided just the right Dried cranberries are sold in for the orange mixture to escape). the apples. Add the chopped apples 8 good quality pork and herb sausages this Native American berry may also growing conditions for the cranberries many groceries and may be 5 Bake the pudding in the oven for to the pan, along with the sultanas, 25g dried cranberries promote gastrointestinal and oral by stifling the growth of shallow-rooted found with other dried fruits. 10-12 minutes, or until the sponge is currants, cranberries, candied peel 50g fresh breadcrumbs health, lower LDL and raise HDL weeds, thus enhancing that of the risen, golden-brown and feels springy and orange zest, stirring well. (good) cholesterol, aid in recovery deep rooted cranberries. Preparation 1 medium egg – beaten to the touch. 3 Bring to the boil, and simmer gently from stroke, and even help prevent Cranberries are simmered in Small handful of chopped fresh parsley for 10 minutes or until the apples cancer. Buying & Storing sauces, mixed into bread- or meat- 6 For the orange cream, place all of 1 Peel off sausage casings and have softened, then set aside. Fresh cranberries, which contain Choose fresh, plump cranberries, based stuffing for turkey, added to the orange cream ingredients into a discard. bowl and whisk until thickened. the highest levels of beneficial nutri- deep red in colour, and quite firm to muffins and baked in fruit tarts 4 Add the brandy or other alcohol 2 Mix meat with rest of the ents, are at their peak from October the touch. and pies. Their astringent taste also 7 To serve, carefully turn the pudding and allow to cool. ingredients shape into small balls and through December, just in time to Firmness is a primary indicator makes them a good addition to out onto a plate and serve with the 5 When cold, spoon into clean, dry place on a baking tray. orange cream. add their festive hue, tart tangy fla- of quality. In fact, during harvesting, naturally sweet puddings: orange or jars, and seal tightly and refrigerate 3 Bake in a pre-heated oven vour and numerous health protective high quality cranberries are often lemon zest bring out the floral notes 8 If you haven’t got an ovenproof for up to a month until required. 200C/180c fan/ mark 6 for 25 – 30 effects to your holiday meals. When sorted from lesser quality fruits by of the fruit, while vanilla and cinna- frying pan transfer the oranges, once 6 To keep for up to six months, minutes until golden and cooked cranberries’ short fresh season is bouncing the berries against bar- mon enhance their sweetness. cooked, to a 20cm cake tin, cover double the amount of alcohol. through. 10 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 11 R

Y After the Turkey and Christmas pudding dream up some more PARAPROSDOKIANS HUMOUR (Winston Churchill loved them). They are figures of speech in By Jo King which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently An elderly driver has been stopped on weren’t speeding, but you should know humorous. the Motorway for driving too slow. that driving slower than the speed limit Waiting on the Motorway flyover on can also be a danger to other drivers.” 1. Where there’s a will, I want to the Golden Valley bypass, to catch “Slower than the speed limit? No sir, be in it. speeding drivers, a police officer sees I was doing the speed limit exactly... 2. The last thing I want to do is a car – a Bugatti Veyron no less – pot- five miles an hour,” the old woman hurt you. But it’s still on my list. tering along at 5MPH. says a bit proudly. 3. Since light travels faster than Care at home... Says he to himself: “This driver is The police officer, trying to contain a sound, some people appear just as dangerous as a speeder.” So chuckle explains to her that M5 is the bright until you hear them speak. ...a realistic alternative to residential care he turns on his lights and pulls the road number, not the speed limit. 4. If I agreed with you, we’d both Caring passionately about your health and welfare driver over. A bit embarrassed, the woman grins be wrong. Approaching the car, he notices that and thanks the officer for pointing out 5. We never really grow up; we • Visits from 15 minutes to full live-in care there are two old ladies in it and the her error. only learn how to act in public. • Dependable, programmed care visits passenger is wide eyed and white as “But before I let you go, Madam, 6. War does not determine who is • Our kind and caring staff are professionally trained and police checked a ghost. I have to ask...is your friend OK, she right -- only who is left. Please call to arrange a no obligation visit or ask for a copy of our brochure The driver, obviously confused, says seems awfully shaken, and she hasn’t 7. Knowledge is knowing Tel: 0208 989 8444 | www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/redbridge | [email protected] to him: “Officer, I don’t understand, made a sound the whole time,” the a tomato is a fruit. I was doing exactly the speed limit. officer asks. Wisdom is not putting Bluebird Care Redbridge, 137 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1AN What seems to be the problem?” “Oh, she’ll be all right in a minute it in a fruit salad. “Madam,” the officer replies: “you officer. We’ve just come off the A417.” 8. They begin the evening news with ‘Good Evening,’ then proceed to tell you why it isn’t. Little Johnny and his family were 9. To steal ideas from one person Say a prayer having Sunday dinner at his is plagiarism. To steal from Grandmother’s house. Everyone many is research. A priest said to a was seated around the table as 10. Buses stop in bus stations. precocious six-year-old the food was being served. When Trains stop in train stations. lttle Johnny received his plate, On my desk is a work boy, “So your mother he started eating right away. station. says your prayers for you “Johnny! Please wait until we say 11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns our prayer.” said his mother. out I just wanted paycheques. each night? That’s very “I don’t need to,” the boy replied. 12. In filling out an application, commendable. What “Of course, you do.” his mother where it says, ‘In case of insisted. “We always say a prayer emergency, notify:’ I put

does she say?” before eating at our house.” ‘DOCTOR.’ The little boy replied, “That’s at our house.” Johnny sssssss explained. “But this is Grandma’s “Thank God he’s in bed!” house and she knows how to I was visiting my son and daughter-in-law cook!” last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper. The vicar’s 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father ‘This is the 21st century, old man,’ he said. always paused and bowed his head for a moment before ‘We don’t waste money on newspapers. starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why. Here, you can borrow my iPad.’

“Well, Honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so I can tell you, that fly never observant of his messages. “I’m asking the Lord to help knew what hit it... me preach a good sermon.” “How come He doesn’t answer it?” she asked.

12 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 13 R

Monopoly You’ll never look at Poetry corner By Ann Farmer Terrence Trent d’Arby cherished the hope, When done on the telly paces; Todmorden de Thame Practised running up stairs But try doing the trick with But in his excitement forgot Was burdened with a most and sliding down slopes, your head and your belly to do up his laces; the game in the same way again! magnificent name; Till that fateful day when And you’ll get the picture; And in front of everyone, But over time this young man Todmorden de Thame and soon Todmorden de Todmorden de Thame As it happened, ‘games 3. Useful amounts of genuine high- became a bit of a hermit; Learned we were hosting Thame Fell up the podium and into and pastimes’ was a denomination German, Italian, He’d rather have been the Olympic Games. Had practised so hard that the flame. category of item quali- and French currency, hidden within christened Kermodious he made himself lame; fied for insertion into the piles of Monopoly money! Kermit; A great wave came over But done up in plaster and Now, though this sounds CARE packages, British and American air crews But Terrence Trent d’Arby him – he forgot all his shame bandage and splint, dreadful, modern Olympic dispatched by the were advised, before taking off on Todmorden de Thame, And rushed to the website Terrence Trent d’Arby still torches International Red their first mission, how to identify a He dreamed of igniting the and put down his name. dreamed of the sprint Are designed to produce Cross to prisoners-of- ‘rigged’ Monopoly set by means of Olympic flame. Now this took some time, the lightest of scorches; war. a tiny red dot, one cleverly rigged to as you can imagine, He would do to the And though he was heard Under the strictest of look like an ordinary printing glitch, He practised in private, in But it wasn’t long before he cauldron, wherein awaited far and wide with his secrecy, in a securely guarded and located in the corner of the ‘Free his luxurious home, was handing his badge in The flame to be lit; he just wingeing, inaccessible old workshop on the Parking’ square. With a rolled up newspaper As senior prefect, to hold concentrated That most hapless of tarting in 1941, an grounds of Waddington’s, a group Of the estimated 35,000 Allied and a garden gnome his imaginary torch aloft; On getting better, athletes got the mildest of increasing number of of sworn-to-secrecy employees began POWS who successfully escaped, an That Terrence precariously He did it quite openly, and convinced he could do it; singeings; British Airmen found mass-producing escape maps, keyed estimated one-third were aided in perched on the top, my how they scoffed Never dreaming his dream Thus Terrence Trent d’Arby themselves as the invol- to each region of Germany or Italy their flight by the rigged Monopoly And thus was obliged to At the preening pretensions would have anything to it. gained Olympic fame Suntary guests of the Third Reich where Allied POW camps were locat- sets. Everyone who did so was sworn frequently stop; of Todmorden de Thame Until came that day when For being the only torch- (as POWs), and the Crown was ed. When processed, these maps to secrecy indefinitely, since the All in all, his performance In thinking he’d carry the the Olympic authorities bearer to put out the flame casting about for ways and means could be folded into such tiny dots British Government might want to was a dismal disaster - Olympic flame; From millions, selected one to facilitate their escape... that they would actually fit inside a use this highly successful ruse in still Not to mention the great They thought the idea was name; and among their The only one who Now, obviously, one of the most Monopoly playing piece. another, future war. quantity of broken plaster incredibly rum - priorities managed to set light to helpful aids to that end is a useful As long as they were at it, the clev- The story wasn’t declassified until He couldn’t pat his own himself; and accurate map, one showing not er workmen at Waddington’s also 2007, when the surviving craftsmen That was destined to end head and massage his tum Was choosing a candidate But he had much to be only where stuff was, but also show- managed to add: from Waddington’s, as well as the on the quarry-tiled floor; to Simultaneously; and in with an impressive name: grateful to Safety and Health ing the locations of ‘safe houses’ 1. A playing token containing a firm itself, were finally honoured in a his shame, truth, it did prove quite Step forward Terrence Trent Though to this very day his where a POW on-the-run could go for small magnetic compass; public ceremony. Terrence had to admit he’d trying d’Arby Todmorden de Thame. most cherished of things food and shelter. 2. A two-part metal file that could It’s always nice when you can play never carry that flame. To run and to carry; it may And he did step forward Is the mark on his chest of Paper maps had some real draw- easily be screwed together; and that ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card! Yet still in his heart he look like flying – and he sprinted those five brownish rings. backs -- they make a lot of noise when you open and fold them, they wear out rapidly and, if they get wet, they youse!” said the Monsignor. the Irish Sisters of Charity, found- turn into mush. Local Catholic History and a bit of nostalgia An earlier “In Touch” edition, then ed by Mother Mary Aikenhead. The Someone in MI-5 (similar to under its Founder-Editor, Brian Howes Monsignor, tall and gaunt, would be America’s OSS) got the idea of print- s a seven-year-old boy I 1939 all processions were forbidden. Christi assembly to be held there. - of happy memory - published some seen in the great corridors of Whipps ing escape maps on silk. It’s durable, always dreaded the out- I was very pleased...... for the wrong Dad asked us to “tidy-up” the venue of my recollections of the remark- Cross Hospital and a Northern Ireland can be scrunched-up into tiny wads, Adoor Corpus Christi reasons. as we were on holiday from the Jesuit able “Priest of God”, Mgr. William Ward Sister would be near her ward can be unfolded as many times as Procession. The nuns educating My father was, at that time, MC St. Ignatius College, Stamford Hill. O’Grady - with a photograph. ”Big entrance as the “Big Man” went by: needed, and makes no noise what- me checked on attendance at at Mass and Benediction at St While we were picking up litter, leaves, Bill” was an irreverent, but affection- “Ah, Monsignor, will ye come and soever. this public show of piety, as well George’s Walthamstow. We had a sticks etc. a presbytery rear sash ate soubriquet for this huge man have a cup of my Protestant tea?.... At that time, there was only one as attendance at Sunday Mass wartime allotment on property that window was opened and the stento- - physically and actively. He was in or will you be after having Catholic manufacturer in Great Britain that and Holy Communion. Any failure belonged to The Catholic Church of rian Monsignor William O’Grady PP some way involved in the setting-up coffee wit’ one of the Cat’olic Sisters? had perfected the technology of to participate required a medical Our Lady and St.George, Shernhall VG bellowed: “Who are you?” “We of the, in-their-time, satellite parishes: Typical of the “Big Man” was an printing on silk and that was John certificate, or a parental letter Sreet, Walthamstow. I grew pota- are Archie Walsh’s sons, Monsignor,” Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead: St occasion when there was a “fracas” Waddington, Ltd. When approached citing an infection, real, imagined toes, peas, “scarlet -runner beans”, “Why aren’t you at school?” “We are Patrick’s, Walthamstow: Christ the in “The Hall” at St George’s Church. by the government, the firm was only or contrived, to avert a distinct onions, which were in very short sup- on holiday Monsignor” “Where do you King, Crooked Billet, Walthamstow: An alarmed parishioner summoned too happy to do its bit for the war impediment to scholarly progress. ply between 1939 -1946, and celery. go to School?”. St Ignatius College, Our Lady of Grace and St. Teresa of The Monsignor to the scene. The situ- effort. This outdoor procession required My brother, Anthony Francis and Monsignor”. “Is that a Catholic Avila, Chingford. ation was swiftly managed: “If you’re By pure coincidence, Waddington police permission and presence along I were instructed by our father to School?” “Yes ,Monsignor, it is run Mgr O’Grady was distinctly asso- Catholics - Get Out! If you’re Non- was also the UK licensee for the popu- its permitted route. On the outbreak clear the presbytery back garden at by Jesuit Fathers - Fr, Guy Brinkworth ciated with St Joseph’s Hospice, Catholics I’ll throw you out! lar American board game, Monopoly. of war, 11am, the third of September St George’s for the outdoor Corpus SJ is our Headmaster.” “God Bless Hackney by dint of its setting up by Peter Walsh 14 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 15 16 oftheirrace ordescent” sometimes merely because puttodeath.... people ofthousandsinnocent “the hundreds Facing By uptotheFacts Jerry oftheDilemma. Crowley Pius XII to to your ardent restore efforts peace. the essential pre-requisiteyour office, thebe sacrificing formal neutrality of You alsoknow that insodoing,you will this. of evidenceshortage supporting and your own church, andyou have no matters worse, both for the victims of the civilisedworld, willmerely make earning you the respect andapplause Jews. Butyou fear that doing so,while itself andwhatishappeningto the unequivocally, both the Nazi regime to R many with ofactive ahistory aversion and awholearray ofother countries, but alsothe media,the Alliedpowers from many ofyour own churchmen, accordingly under pressure, not only cide on an industrial scale. You are but has progressed into outright geno- many times throughout Jewish history, familiar brutal endured persecution so the latest instance of the sickeningly ing clearthat this isnolonger just the Continent.Itisnow slowly becom- tially inGermany butnow rightacross growing ofthe persecution Jews, ini- and plunged itinto anew DarkAge. overrun most Europe ofContinental paganda machine inhistory, hasnow forcemilitary andmost effective pro- most powerful (andsofar undefeated) or humanlife; andwhich, aidedby the with no respect whatever for religion ruthlesstal, androutinely lying regime the excesses ofthe aggressor - a bru- must now defend your Church against to prevent the outbreak ofwar, you You have longbeenaware ofthe

ome, to condemn, explicitly and ome, to condemn,explicitly and Part 1 Part been powerless lion souls.Having of some500mil- minds and hearts influence over the with unparalleled a global religion, You are leader of voice crying out in the silence of a outinthevoice silenceofa crying to depict Pius’ words as “this lonely Even so,the New York Times was able merited the description“millions”. at this stage ofthe Holocaust, itsurely of their race ordescent”,wheneven death.... sometimesmerely because thousands ofinnocentpeople putto involved, referring to “the hundreds of appeared to downplay the numbers cidal programme centre stage, italso the broadcast fail to putthe geno- a deliberate programme. Not only did the East were beingmurdered under that the massesofJews to deported made atatimeofgrowing evidence cerns his Christmas 1942 broadcast, guage. The fiercest controversy con- best blandandrather convoluted lan- nations instead beingcouched inat Jews specifically, with hiscondem- Holocaust periodever referred to the his pronouncements duringthe W ed primarily onthe fact that noneof ferent to the fate ofthe Jews, isfound- worst option. it was aquestion the offinding least Churchill, there were nogoodoptions; and the far worse. To borrow from between the borderline unpalatable was forced timeandagain to choose tions ofboth manandChurch, he reality isthat, for allthe imperfec- it have saved more lives? Unlikely! The Nazis were doing?Undoubtedly! W demned more strongly allthat the have protested more vocally, andcon- Pius XII was overwhelming. Could he of competing pressures confronting do you square the circle? regardless ofthe consequences. How defence ofjustice andthe oppressed, demands speakingoutatalltimesin the Church’s divinemission,which But equally, you must befaithful to A Ceaseless Quest for the forA Ceaseless Quest The accusationthat Piuswas indif- By any standard, the maelstrom when evenatthis stageofthe Holocaust, itsurely meritedthe description millions ould ould ar/ guishing between fact andrumour, Then there were bigproblems distin- the Jews. destinations of deported panied by ablack-out concerning lutely secret from the world, accom- 1942, andthen keptJanuary reso- Solution was only agreed upon in the Holocaust unfolded. TheFinal the haltingpaceatwhich news of citizen. German ing to Jews, deported than the average insights into what was really happen- countries, the Vatican hadfar better ence onthe ground inmost European all,throughAfter itsdiplomaticpres- was happening,notto step around it. upon the faithful the fullhorror ofwhat policy shouldhave beento impress patriotism, andtherefore the correct would surely have trumped simple cide beingperpetrated by their rulers, high-profile exposure of a major geno- Nazis. ButinChristian minds,the whatever their reservations aboutthe onpatrioticgrounds, their country port ing somebishops,were goingto sup- of Germannumbers Catholics, includ- out, itseemedinevitable that large German army, andoncewar broke were 1.6 millionCatholics inthe schism in the German Church: there was lessthan helpful. and unequivocally. Here hisreticence targets ofthe Pope’s strictures clearly under the Nazi yoke, understood the those elsewhere inEurope now living whether Catholics in Germany and at them. Butfar was more important Pope’s condemnationswere aimed the Nazis knew perfectly well that the “Mit Brennender” onwards (1937), selves. detractors have overreached them- Continent”, suggesting that here Pius’ Against this, it is vital to understand this,Against to itisvital understand One key fear was ofprovoking a It is generally accepted that from exiles in London were berating the the midst ofallthis, prominent Polish without makingmatters worse. Yet in replied that they couldnotpublish deploring Nazi atrocities, they all bishops received a letter from Pius up for nuns.Later, when three Polish special concentration camp was set nearly halfof them died,while a atDachau,detained where of 2,700Polish priests were of the Polish elites. Atotal escaped the massshooting those Polish clericswhohad 1941 to the rounding-up of whole, leddirectly inOctober the future ofthe Church asa saw this asaharbinger for local bishops,whocorrectly Nazis. The protests ofthe with allegiancesolely to the by anationalGerman church replacement ofthe churches ideology, includingthe total Nazi fora laboratory visionary Poland now transformed into createdartificially region of was the W lessness. Onekey instance ofthis any criticism: just redouble your ruth- from Hitler’sbelligerent response to times privately. Much ofthis stemmed ters worse, afear heexpressed many in allsubsequent Papal addresses. explains the continuinglack ofclarity was similarly patchy. Butnoneofthis tion being received by the Vatican it ishardly surprisingthat informa - dent intelligence confirmation. So to wait four months for indepen- reach the US, whereupon it chose an organised genocide programme in August didthe rumours of first of whatwas happeningto them. Only still struggling to grasp the enormity paigns. TheJews themselves were drives propaganda combatants’ cam- tion ofenemy atrocities that always not helpedby the routine exaggera- In To 2012 uch R ather, Piusfeared makingmat- arthegau, a huge ahuge arthegau,

Issue 4 Least-Worst Jews are wheeledoutto often argue success inalleviating the lotofthe where the Vatican didachieve tangible convoluted language usedby Pius. the periodare fullofthe samekindof prise that itspublicstatements from camps. Ittherefore comesaslittlesur refugee centres andconcentration ing silent,orforfeiting itsaccessto an agonisingchoice between remain- that couldprejudice itswork. Itfaced Cross, carefully avoiding any protest making matters worse. Sodidthe R Jewish life; asubtledifference. for Catholics, without saving asingle to have been:itwillmake things worse is too neat.R solely by protecting Catholics. Butthat clude here that Pius was motivated ued to bespared. Itistempting to con- those baptisedasProtestants contin- to allJews baptisedasCatholics, while being led extended to the deportations ofDutch Jews,deportation this merely tested loudly inJuly 1942 against the accusing himofputtingthe Jews first. Nazi atrocities intheir homeland, Holy Father for failing to condemn Dachau -Memorialto PolishDachau Priests A smallnumberofinterventions It wasn’t just the Vatican that feared whentheAgain, Dutch bishopspro- ather, histhinking seems ed ed - open question. question. open actually produced results, remains an ed to vociferous condemnations which could have beensuccessfully extend- forrelief Jews; efforts but whether this admirably resourceful inorganising robust heproved approach. Certainly that he would have deployed a more R and beyond, ultimately hewas dealing vanising oppositionto them inPoland evils of the Soviet regime were, ingal- tive asJPII’sbroadsides against the and thereby achieved more. Buteffec- would have taken atougher stance forceful personality, like JohnPaul II, had already beencarried out. programme a massive deportation the Vatican’s pleasbore fruit only after granted to Horthy by and hisoccupiers; it was facilitated by the rare autonomy delicate diplomacythan loudprotests; camps. to the death continue deportations the R Vatican intervened successfully with where following Nazi occupation,the The key instance here isHungary, would have madeamajor difference. that amore vocal policyofprotest oncalli, the later Pope JohnXXIII, There remains the view that amore Option egent, Admiral Horthy, to dis- assassination (the the occasionalwell-disguised gunning them down, alongside illness,asopposedtotal just trumped-up diagnosesofmen- ring to them hospitalise on outspoken opponents,prefer sophisticated indealingwith Soviets hadbecomefar more Hitler’s. Bythe 1980s, the with aregime lessevil than policy by Nuncio Angelo recorded criticismsofVatican lone gunman). on JPII’slife by asupposedly complicity inthe 1981 attempt police, remains suspected of ating viathe Bulgarian secret But this owed far more to Finally, itisclearfrom the K GB, oper 17 - -

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18 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 19 R

Chronicle of Parish Events By PA Nache

The Transitus and Feast Day of hiss of his voice less than an inch St Francis of Assisi. from their ears. When they waken in B Wednesday October 3rd saw, once the night, do they fear the pressure again, a performance of music and of the Harrower of the Night pressing mime by the pupils of Trinity RC High the air out of their lungs or is School to commemorate the pass- it the face of Dr Doherty that B ing of St Francis of Assisi. This year makes them scream out and there was a difference in that instead awaken the sleeping children of solo instrumentalists performing in the next bedroom and the from the front of the church a mas- spouse beside them? sive choir crammed into the choir In his parting shot he bids loft providing a banquet of choral his listeners goodnight and music of which the students should warns. ‘Sleep well but don’t lie be proud. By the big smiles on their Dr Doherty’s Ghost stories died away, with the poor victim slowly on your back lest the Harrier faces it was obvious they were enjoy- On the 18th October over £500 was dying of suffocation six feet under. of the Night comes upon you.’ ing the occasion. raised by a large crowd of around 200 Beware of sitting in the front row Make sure you come next On Thursday 4th, the feast day people on a cold blustery evening or next to the aisle where the good year but don’t sit in the front of St Francis, there was an extra to hear Dr Doherty, in preparation doctor prowls up and down, speaking or at the end of the pew if you evening Mass with refreshments, as for Halloween, tell stories of ghosts, in a soft yet menacing voice before want to sleep peacefully in usual provided by the CWL, in the witches and warlocks. Some of the turning with a shout on a listener in your bed afterwards. Becket Centre. Both occasions were ghosts are known to him person- the end seat, his face inches from well attended but more so the transi- ally and others dug up from graves theirs as his voice again returns to a The Christmas Fayre tus when the congregation consisted and crypts that he had entered and threatening whisper, ‘Beware of the Although the fair was advertised in largely of proud parents anxious to researched in order to relate his Harrower of the Night’. the archaic spelling of the word, as see their offspring perform what they convincing tales of corpses, not yet When he takes to his dramatic noted by Fr Michael Copps on the had obviously been rehearsing for dead, ringing the bells in their coffins turn, some knowing what’s to come, preceding Sunday, there was noth- weeks at home as well as in school. only to be ignored by a wicked night laugh and snigger but not the poor ing archaic about the event. It was a In his summing up speech Dr Doherty watchman who smiled laconically as end-of-pew victims who smell the wet and windy day on Saturday 24th paid particular tribute to that fact that the sound of the bells pipe-smoker’s breath on their faces, November and expectations of suc- nobody muffed their lines. weakened and see the staring eyes and hear the cess were not high. Mark O’Neill, who

The Parish AGM. bers seem to have done likewise, all cases regular Mass goers are real- Whilst offerings were very slightly Standing Order instead, the ideal In sad contrast to the large for the good. izing for the first time that they have down on last year if the appeal sum may become a little nearer. attendance on the 3rd and 4th Presentations were by Patricia Catholic neighbours. The realization and the offerings are added together In the past three years investment October as reported above, the Donald, who appealed for new vocal- encourages conversation and leads there is an increase of 10%. Fintan income has been so minimal as to AGM on Sunday 14th October ists and instrumentalists, particular- in a low key manner for many, other- Cavanan, reporting on the accounts raise eyebrows; there must be at any attracted less than a dozen non- ly another key board player, for the wise anonymous Catholics, returning as stand in for the chair of the finance given time something in the region parish-council members. This is Patricia Music Group at the 10 am Masses. to Mass if not regularly but at least on committee, made specific mention to of £250,000 languishing at nil or very much par for the course and Donald and Brian Martin, the current Chair, spoke high days and holy days. the income from Gift Aid of £62,981 half a percent on current account extremely surprising in a parish con- Mike Murphy enthusiastically about the youth trip The main feature of any AGM which represents the tax paid on raising a mere £150 per annum. taining a great many vociferous and to Lourdes and Steve Kerr, Vice Chair, is the annual accounts; copies of £315,000 of offerings. Obviously a The finance committee was asked intelligent people who are not reluc- and silence is deafening. spoke about the messenger initiative these are available to anyone inter- fair amount of this represents the to look at this situation and consid- tant to make their views known over Much is being done by the Parish which Fr Brian has worked very hard ested from the Parish office. In the recovery of a backlog of tax from pre- er over night deposits which could tea and coffee in the Becket Centre Council which over the past ten years to revive in the parish. main the accounts look good; since vious years. Fintan pointed out that in potentially boost investment income after Masses and at the door of the has seen a three year rotation in Chair Steve mentioned that the current 2009 the parish reserve funds have spite of this figure a further £12,000 to around £2,000 per annum. church as they make a quick exit on person and members. There was a service provides cover for only 30% of risen by over 50% from £291,341 to per annum could be recovered if all The net 9% (£19,625) of total Sundays. time when the chair of the Parish our sprawling parish and appealed for £353,381 this is after spending con- offerings were Gift Aided; an unachiev- income from Social Events was high- Yet, on this regular annual Council could not be ousted with a more messengers who should contact siderable sums on the fabric and in able ideal situation. Nevertheless lighted as an important part of the event, arranged specifically at a tin opener and it is refreshing to see him or Fr Brian in the first instance. the year under review the church was if more people could overcome the parish’s income. Hopefully this sum- convenient time for all and to this change. There are members who There is no doubt that this initiative is redecorated at a cost of £59,502 of embarrassment of passing the plate mary will encourage others next year provide an opportunity to voice have put their particular stamp on the helping to create an improved conge- which £28,232 came from the spe- on to their neighbour without putting to turn up to the AGM and show sup- opinions, the lack of attendance parish council and the present mem- niality among Catholics and in many cial appeal to parishioners. anything in it and using a monthly port for the work of the PPC. 20 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 R21 Chronicle of Parish Events It was lovely to read the Florida story continued of a place of worship from the other From Lisa Barden decision (in the internal forum) to side of the world in the same pages Dear Editor receive communion by a divorced does the count all on his own with the as the article on Anti-Semitism which Can it be right to come between and remarried Catholic if the lack help of Adrian Lee acting as runner, after all the unbelievable things that an individual and God? Can it be of recognition of the nullity of the commented that ‘if we top £3,000, LETTERS men did, and some women as well, is right to say to an individual “You previous marriage (because of a Please send your letters to The Editor, Idvies, 72 Malvern Drive, I will call it a success.’ However, in Woodford Green, IG8 0JP or email [email protected] raising its ugly head here again. Once can not receive Christ today?” Can verdict held to be erroneous or spite of the inclement weather there you have cut the head off the beast it be right that individuals should because of the impossibility of prov- was a long queue already snaking From Peter Leahy two more seem to grow. be prevented from receiving Christ ing it’s nullity in procedural form) out of the school gates before the Dear Editor, On Page 24 Phillip Henry in Holy Communion because their were to contrast with the persons one o’clock opening time and the I would like to make some observa- Racionzer’s sentiment ‘I can’t see any marriage has sadly failed and they firm belief that the marriage was girls collecting the £1 entry fee were tions concerning the article, ‘Proving sense in such futile expense’ is well have remarried? objectively null. beseiged as soon as the doors were God’ (Issue 2), and the related seg- new branch of mathematics (the ‘cal- worth noting for there is much of that I felt uncomfortable listening to The Pope is making it known that opened. ments in Issue 3 of the IT. culus’) to explain the movement of in our contemporary lifestyle. Or is it this message in mass today Sunday he hopes for a positive result in There were the usual stalls and a You say that you’ve had verbal feed- objects and planets/stars in our uni- that I am just too old? October 7th 2012. I went home both cases. few children’s entertainments that back concerning the article, some verse. And while there is the natural and read a little more about it. For all the divorced and remar- had not appeared in previous years. verging on abuse. That’s a shame, tendency to admire the precision and From Peter Walsh There is growing concern around ried Catholics currently excluded Chris Curtis stood behind a more and I agree it would be more construc- elegance of the mathematics that Dear Editor, this ban and it is a matter close to from receiving The Body of Christ than usually heavily laden bottle stall tive for readers, with these views, to Newton derived (and quite rightly so), The protracted concern about pae- the Pope’s heart. In the past he this matter should move forward selling tickets at a pound a time and write to the IT letters page, so it can only a layman would present this as dophilic priests and the vilification has called for a greater openness with urgency. raised over £600 before the show be calmly aired and possibly resolved. a proof of the existence of God. Any of the Catholic Church, its Pope on this issue. He addressed it in was really underway. Toffee apples For myself, (with a physics back- first year philosophy undergraduate and its Bishops may be moderat- an essay in 1998 and called for and cup cakes, advent wreaths and ground), I have absolutely no prob- or semi-skilled atheist could drive a ed now that paedophilia has criti- it to be reprinted last November. Christmas bunting all featured in the lems with scientifically based articles coach and horses through this argu- cally emerged in the entertainment The complete text of the essay over-crowded hall Trinity lower site. being published in the IT, but there ment. You have to separate the industry and particularly at the BBC in by Joseph Ratzinger on commu- Coleen Carlile and Mark Archer are two strong provisos: firstly, that excitement of a new theory, from the the case of Jimmy Savile. nion for divorced and remarried (below) barred the entrance to the the articles reflect the correct science, cold, rigorous, forensic requirements We are seeing the indifferent inertia Catholics from 1998 has been corridor leading to the treasury sell- and secondly that they are written in of the scientific proving room. To do vehemently attributed to the Catholic on the website of L’Osservatore ing their jointly produced children’s such a way that complex topics are otherwise is nonsense. Bishops now replicated by BBC Romano since November 30th. book ‘Biscuit’s New Adventure’, which de-mystified and explained in terms To my knowledge, no scientist work- Programme Managers, the Police, http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica. that are appealing and understand- ing (at Cern) on the discovery of the Hospital Managers and others evad- it/articolo/1350098?eng=y able to what is probably a non-tech- Higgs Boson has claimed this proves ing action on abundant information It seems the openness has at nical majority of readers. I know the existence of God. In fact many relating to the incidence of paedo- least 2 parts: that this is challenging, but it’s by no of them hate the term ‘God Particle’ philia within their purview. Late report- 1. To expand the nullity of marriag- means impossible. To make exagger- which has been drummed up by pop- ing by paedophilia victims features es celebrated without faith by at ated claims and wrap articles in phys- science media, and has nothing to do in the present entertainment ram- least one of the spouses, although ics mumbo – jumbo is unacceptable, with the existence of a God. And I sus- page as it did in the Massachusetts baptised. and may detract from the essence of pect that the scientists at Cern have and California paedophilic priest cri- 2. The possible recourse to a the article’s actual scientific claims. worked at least as hard as Mr Özter ses in which senile septuagenarian I could comment upon some of the and spent at least as much money as altar boys, remembering the offence, article’s scientific content, but as yet him, funding their discovery, without became a significant, lawyer-assisted, psychopaths. sion at the offence is expressed with Mr Özter’s work is unpublished and making any claims regarding a divine complainant and compensation-seek- Since it is impossible to symptom- intense, disgust, horror and anger. unaccredited, and moreover – this proof. ing cadre. atically diagnose paedophilia, the first The victims’ self-esteem is harmed, level of detail is inappropriate for a Lastly, I must admit to having some Of all the numerous and outland- reported and authenticated incident, in most instances permanently. Their parish magazine. accord with the letter written by Philip ish sexual aberrations, paedophilia is appropriately investigated, provides innocence and trust shattered and many adults remarked, buying their There is also one considerable flaw Racionzer in Issue 3 of the IT. As an rightly regarded as virulently heinous the diagnosis. their lives may be permanently blight- second copy, was a marvelous book that pervades the “Proving God” arti- aside, Douglas Adams wrote a humor- by dint of the injury it inflicts on the There is presently, no known ed. for bereaved adults and children. cle – and that concerns the matter of ous book that centred upon answer- young of both sexes. treatment, let alone cure for pae- We all have a duty of care to report And when the count was finished, ‘faith’. You cannot prove the existence ing the question, ‘what is the meaning The most important aspect of pae- dophilia. Modern communications, the incidence of such heinous crimes to everyone’s surprise, no less than a of a God by any method of scientific of life, existence, the universe...etc?’. dophilia is its facility for access to its notably the Internet, affords remote but a question remains; how does net record profit of £5,438 was made, analysis, however elegant the math- Adams came up with the answer ‘42’. victims. This is manifest in the peder- approach other than physical contact one avoid a witch hunt of the inno- much deserving of the applause ematics. In my view His existence is And I, like Mr Racionzer, am inclined ast’s covert resort to professions serv- and allows for greater proliferation of cent? This I dare to suggest can only granted at 11:30 mass on the 25th largely a matter of faith. Great sci- to agree with this answer. Put another ing the young; teaching, clergy, youth these offences than ever before. This be avoided by absolute secrecy of when the figure was announced by entists like Michael Faraday, Einstein way; without faith; ‘42’ is as good as work, and, as we are seeing in the situation presents an ever increasing investigations until proven without any Fr Austin. He thanked all the hard and Sir Isaac Newton never claimed it gets. present expose, healthcare. These threat for which detection and convic- margin of doubt. But it is the publica- workers and all those who braved the that any of their mathematical deriva- Excerpts from a letter of Christel vocations innocently and accidentally, tion are entirely inadequate. When tion of one offence that emboldens wintry weather to be there. tions actually ‘proved’ the existence Engler an octogenarian plus, writing by default, enable the access covertly cases are discovered, and the child others to come forward. It is no sur- of God. Newton constructed a whole from Berlin. and cunningly sought by paedophilic pornography disclosed, public revul- prise therefore, that many cases will 22 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 23 LETTERS continued go unchallenged until the perpetrated Who was St Boniface? is aged or dead along with many of By Patricia Donald the victims. hundred years before from what is but criss-crossed Germany evan- From Jerry Crowley now Denmark and North Germany gelising, attacking pagan idols and Dear Editor, and had only gradually accepted symbols such as Thor’s Oak which One of the benefits of attending the Christianity after the arrival of St he famously cut down, preaching, Parish AGM, is the insight it provides Augustine at Canterbury sent by baptising and building churches. into the important work of our Parish Pope Gregory I in 597AD. With authority as Archbishop from Council, which normally tends to be Nevertheless Benedictine mon- a new Pope, Gregory III, he set up near-invisible to the average parish- asteries had already been estab- new dioceses and organised synods, ioner. This consists of seven parishio- lished and Winfrith chose to become often working with secular rulers ners, who give up their time to advise a monk, acquired a good educa- such as Charles Martel ruler of the Fr. Austin and ensure the Parish runs tion and became a priest. He was Franks. Altogether this Englishman smoothly. It was the Parish Council marked out to become Abbot but laid the foundations of the spiritual, that organised this year’s success- he felt inspired, on hearing about a political and ecclesiastical shape of ful church redecoration programme, Northumbrian monk Willibrord who Germany, a fact which is far more from defining the project, seeking had gone to evangelise the Frisians recognised by German historians and vetting bids, to supervising its of the Netherlands, to become a mis- than British. In Church history, he is Erfurt: Kramerbrucke, a bridge covered in old houses and shops execution so meticulously that from sionary to the peoples from whose known as ‘the Apostle of Germany’. start to finish, there was virtually no lands his forbears had come. These dent and the church which was part the Kramerbrucke, a bridge covered disruption to Sunday Masses. Warm people lived beyond the old Roman or was that all since he of the Augustinian monastery which in old houses and shops like the old congratulations are in order here. Empire and had remained pagans died a martyr’s death. he entered and lived as a monk and London Bridge. One source of concern, however, lies worshipping gods such as Thor. As an old man in where he said his first Mass after with the very low investment income In 716 AD Winfrith went to the 755AD he went again his ordination to the priesthood. We he third city on this achieved for the third year running. kingdom of the Frisians but he had Nto try to convert the Frisians. walked in the cloisters and sat in the tour was Dresden, not This of course reflects the current a frosty reception from its king, There he and his companions chapter house where the present that it had a particular unprecedentedly low level of inter- Radbod. He returned home but were attacked by pagans and Pope Benedict met with the leaders connection with either est rates. But even so, £150 annual vowed he would return one day. He hacked to death. His body was of the German Protestant churches TSt Boniface or Martin Luther, income earned on what appear to be left again in 718 this time for good. brought back to Fulda and his only a year ago, in September 2011. although as a traditionally average funds of well over £200,000, With a small party of monks he went tomb and relics are there in In addition, Erfurt is a historic town Protestant city it has a statue of seems surprisingly low, and especially directly to Rome, walking all the way. Fulda Cathedral, which is now of great interest with its splendid Luther outside the main Lutheran in the context of the major contri- The Pope, Gregory II authorised his a Baroque building replacing an Cathedral, the Mariendom, its histor- church, the Frauenkirche. Like bution sought (and achieved) from work and gave him a new name, earlier one. It is regarded as ic churches, the Alte Synagogue and much else in Dresden this had parishioners towards the redecoration n 5 June, the Church Boniface (which means ‘speaker of the centre and heart of Catholic been rebuilt after its destruction programme. celebrates the Feast good’). Germany and is the place where in the Second World War and only With many term deposit accounts day of St Boniface He returned to Germania, an area the Catholic Bishops of Germany quite recently finished. Before I presently offering an interest rate of often known as the rather than a political unit, and spent hold their annual conference. went, I had not realised how great 2%, it should surely be possible to pro- OApostle of Germany. We know the rest of his long life there working I visited Fulda this summer on a pil- a city Dresden was. However, duce an income which would at very the name well since one of our in many different parts with many grimage led by Canon Christopher built largely in the eighteenth least be in the thousands rather than friars bears this name probably different rulers. Hearing that king Tuckwell of Westminster century by the wealthy and hundreds of pounds. Granted, the not entirely by chance. So who Radbod of the Frisians had died, Cathedral. I was interested in St ambitious Electors of Saxony ups and downs of Parish cash flow was St Boniface? he remembered his vow and went Boniface but the real attraction (one of whom, Augustus the no doubt require ready access to a He was in fact an Englishman or and worked there with Willibrord for for me was that the trip included Strong converted to Roman substantial proportion of funds at any rather an Anglo-Saxon born about three years. After a second trip to a visit to Erfurt. Boniface had a Catholicism in order to be one time, to meet lumpy expenses. 674 AD in Crediton, in Devon. He Rome he was made bishop of all strong connection with this city elected as King of Poland, But making due allowance for this, was christened Winfrith which meant the German lands and returning to having founded a chapel there much to the indignation of his perhaps half the overall funds could Friend of Peace perhaps because Germany set about his mammoth which is now below the Cathedral Saxon subjects) it is indeed a still be placed on term deposit. the Anglo-Saxons hoped to live in task. He visited Bavaria and Hesse in the crypt. But Erfurt has a later very splendid city. It is very well peace with the local Britons of the frequently but centred his work large- claim to fame as the town where the worth a visit in its own right or Letters published do not reflect the Devon area which they had only ly in the area of Thuringia which Protestant Reformer Martin Luther as in this case to complete a pil- opinion of the editor nor will the very recently won. The Anglo-Saxons is the very heart of Germany. He lived and worked. We saw the Statue of the Protestant Reformer grimage to the heart of Christian editor comment upon their content. had only arrived in Britain about two established a monastery at Fulda University where he had been a stu- Martin Luther in Dresden Germany. 24 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 25 the Umbrian countryside staying in tiny hermitages high up in the wooded hills. Here he could enjoy the natu- ral surroundings and the complete silence which drew him closer to God. We thus saw Fonte Colombo where he drew up the rule for his brethren; La Foresta in the Rieti valley which is Pilgrimage to Assisi now used as a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts; the retreat house or by Frank Fitzpatrick ‘Carceri’ high up Mount Subasio where Father Patrick celebrated a wonderful Mass under the trees; the mount of t the end of September the two saints were baptised and ‘La Verna’ in Tuscany – here we cele- IT’S YOUR MONEY, PROTECT IT! Rosa and I joined a pil- renewed our own baptismal promises. brated Mass around the spot where St Agrimage group from the The other two important places in Francis received the stigmata towards parish of Chilworth, Surrey and Assisi are the church at San Damiano the end of his life. As we visited all PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN’S INHERITANCE spent eight days following St in which St Francis heard Christ speak- these inaccessible and lonely places Francis. It was our third visit to ing to him from the cross, a cross in our coach, we were very conscious Assisi and we both thought it was that can still be seen in the Basilica that the saint travelled everywhere on the best. The spiritual director of St Clare, and the ‘portiuncula’ or foot through rough woodlands and not was Fr Patrick Lonsdale OFM; ‘little portion’ – a tiny chapel given to along proper roads! GOOD NEWS older parishioners will remem- the Franciscans in the early days by Close as he was to the natural Due to Improved health care we are living longer. ber Fr Patrick who was here in the Benedictines which had a special world and to God he was able to Woodford some thirty years ago. place in St Francis’ heart and was the compose the sublime ‘Canticle of the We spent the first two nights at place where he died. This chapel is Creatures’ praising God for all the Greccio, a village between Rome and inside and dwarfed by the Basilica of benefits enjoyed by his creatures. Of BAD NEWS Assisi. This was the place where the Santa Maria degli Angeli which was course we gained greatly from the first ever Christmas crib was set up built over it after his death. We had churches and frescoes and statues on Care fees will ERODE your assets by St Francis in 1223 with live people our last Mass here on the day we left; view in Assisi but it was in the silence and animals. The country folk from there was just enough room for the 26 and natural surroundings of these around took part in the tableau and pilgrims to fit into the space available. hermitages that we gained the fullest CARE FEES START FROM AROUND brought an ox, ass, and some sheep In addition to these visits to mag- benefit from the pilgrimage and were to enact the birth of the Saviour. The nificent buildings within Assisi itself able to better appreciate the spiritual- £600.00 PER WEEK! cave that was used for this first por- our pilgrimage took us to other very ity of St Francis. trayal is still in use at Greccio and different places. In contrast these If you go into long-term residential care and have assets of more now there is also a lovely church in a were small humble places far away spectacular. setting which celebrated from the crowds, the places which than £23,000, the local authority will seize anything above this a wedding while we were there. St Francis himself loved to visit and amount to pay for your care. Attached to the church is a museum from which we could better discern of cribs. There must be upwards of the true spirit of the saint. After his 100 cribs sent from all parts of the ‘conversion’ he spent very little time world. We saw an Eskimo Jesus, an in Assisi but rather wandered around HAVE YOU PLANNED HOW TO Indian Jesus, a Chinese Jesus and many others all depicting the holy PAY THESE FEES? family in their own garb and traditions. We spent two quiet days in Greccio before moving on to Assisi where we IF NOT START TODAY! lodged in a convent in the centre close to the Bishop’s palace. From there we PROTECT YOUR ASSETS NOW – CALL YVETTE BACCHUS ON visited all the Franciscan sites of the city – the Basilicas of St Francis and St Clare, the fortress at the top of the 0208 524 9111 OR 07932 506 031 hill, and the Bishops’ cathedral of San or email Yvette at [email protected] Rufino. At the Basilica of St Francis we celebrated Mass in the crypt around www.bacchuslaw.co.uk the tomb of the saint; at the cathedral Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No: 282253 we gathered round the font in which 26 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 27 General Assembly of Lay Associates An angle on R Martillac by Kathy Howes Lourdes By Paul E Chrichton ast summer 2011 Yvonne radio therapy. It was my choice which n Sept 24th 2012 at 5 Woodford made up the English con- and I and a group of pil- procedure to have the end result of am I met Jo, another tingent. There were about thirty four grims made a tour of either being likely to produce a pos- Lay Associate like me, Lay Associate Representatives and some Marian and other sible cure with minimal worry about at Luton Airport. We about twelve Priest Associates. Ldevotional sites in France with side effects. O flew together to Bordeaux Airport As we sat at our small individual the objective of staying a while At first I had an annoying little - where we were met by two Holy tables, ready to start at 9 am each in Lourdes. Our resting points back of the mind query. I had just Family Sisters, Sister Mary Slavin morning, complete with microphone, included Versailles, Nevers, Ars, returned from Lourdes and now this. and a Spanish Sister who drove headphones, pads and pens each Lisieux, Tours as well as Lourdes A bit simplistic really and increas- us to la Solitude in Martillac day, we listened to Sisters conducting We were a small group of thirty five ingly I began to conclude that if there where we were welcomed and the Assembly as well as listening to the with some requiring wheelchair assis- was a Lourdes effect it was that an given coffee and French bread responses, comments and reflections tance. Pushing became one of my early diagnosis, so timed that pro- to sustain us until lunch. We of the Priests and Lay Associates. the four days when we would break and Martillac. It was a beautiful sunny occasional duties, particularly when vided action was taken promptly the were then shown to our rooms Simultaneous translation was being up into small groups to reflect on day and a thoroughly enjoyable visit, in Lourdes. devastation that a tumour breakout which were en-suite and quite relayed to us via our headphones. points that had been raised and on thanks to Sister Aíne. It was not the first time visit for could have on one’s being, would be large and airy. Jo and I then took The Holy Family is a fam- what our thoughts and feelings were Meeting many people from other Yvonne or me and neither for quite averted. the opportunity to visit the island ily of five vocations Apostolic Sisters, about them. We would then relate parts of the world with their various a few of the rest of our group and a Now in the Autumn of 2012 I have which is where the founder of the Contemplative Sisters, Consecrated the results of these reflections back to languages and sitting down with them good spirit was there from our start in been released back into the wild by Holy Family Association, Pierre Seculars, Priest Associates and Lay the Assembly. We discussed Creation at meal times at La Solitude was Dagenham and throughout our jour- my consultants after a year’s treat- Bienvenu Noailles, spent time in Associates, but at the time of the in the light of the New Vision of the a wonderful sharing experience as ney which was led ment which, due to the prayer and contemplation. founder all were Lay Associates, all Cosmos, our statutes, inter-vocational we struggled to communicate amid by Father Stephen goodness, expertise We were at La Solitude to attend the were one before it became diverse. dialogue, inter-continental dialogue much laughter. Myers; well known and professionalism of General Assembly of Lay Associates The AIM of the General Assembly and how we can best communicate On Friday afternoon we returned to to some of us. many people, was with- which was a follow on from the Holy was to share the results and fruits of with Associates in other parts of the the work in hand to reflect on all that Good humour and out pain and success- Family Congress. The theme of the the Holy Family Congress; how to go world. had been said during the previous good sustenance fully completed subject Congress and the Assembly was forward in the light of the New Story It was quite an intense four days of three days. Thanks were conveyed to throughout made it now to six monthly ‘Family on Mission, Gift in a Changing of the Universe. work but we did have some breaks all those involved in the organization a thoroughly enjoy- checks and clearanc- World’. There were representatives With the new vision of the Cosmos where we were able to walk in the of the proceedings and in particular able and busy week es. Deo Gratias. from Framce, Spain, Italy Canada, and our place in it we need to look grounds and through the grapevine to all the translators. enhanced also in There was also England, Ireland, with new eyes, to see afresh. When growing areas, sometimes without At 5:30 am a Mass of Creation and Lourdes by meeting, underlying the whole Asia, and Africa. we look at Cosmology related to God seeing a single person. It is such a of Thanksgiving was celebrated in by sheer chance, event, an increas- Jo from Milton we see that all are interrelated, God, peaceful and uplifting place to be. the open air on the island next to the a large contingent of Brentwood ing bond with quite a large number Keynes, Marylyn Earth, creatures, everything; all evolv- One evening we visited the sculptured statue of a seated Pierre Diocesan youth. of people from all walks of my life from Skegness ing and changing. Change is unavoid- Hermitage which now houses some Bienvenu Noailles. It was a truly spe- The possible irony, as far as I was some of whom were fellow sufferers and me from able! We were shown a most impres- of Pierre Bienvenue Noailles’ books cial occasion. concerned, occurred a month or so and enormous support from my wife sive power point presentation of cre- and other memorabilia. It was the It was an interesting and reward- after our return home. Following a Yvonne, family and friends. ation, ‘The Gift You Are’. It depicted house which Fr Noailles found for ing experience to attend the General routine medical with the GP Well Man God only works through the actions a new understanding of the world about four Sisters to give them a base Assembly and I am grateful to have had Clinic, I was diagnosed with cancer. and minds of his people and I have and our place in it. It portrayed a new to work from. As the house was in a the opportunity to be a part of it, which No warning, no symptoms, no side had this well and truly cemented in idea of ‘Oneness’ with each other rather dilapidated state they had to only happens once every ten years. effects, except a rise in the Prostate my life’s experience both now and in and the whole of creation. A new start by making it habitable. On Saturday morning September Specific Antigen level in a blood sam- the past; thanks be to God and to his way of seeing all as interconnected, On Friday morning we had a trip to 29th 2012 at 6:45 am we left ple analysis which prompted detailed people. interrelated and interdependent. The Bordeaux. Sister Aíne led a group of Martillac in the dark, waved off by examination leading to the diagnosis. In my case, perhaps initially, the Universe has been billions of years us in the footsteps of the Founder, Sisters and others, driven by kind My first selfish thought was how Lourdes effect appeared a bit per- evolving, changing, expanding and we visiting the Cathedral of St André and helpful neighbours for Bordeaux long have I got? Did I have one verse but in retrospect it now seems need to connect with it and be aware where Fr Noailles was baptised and Airport to await the flight home. month, a year or two; very sobering totally clear. The treatment is com- of how we abuse the earth instead of the surrounding area. We went on to What a lot to digest, to reflect upon! thoughts? plete. The after effects of the treat- looking after it and respecting it for the church and neighbourhood of St ‘How to go forward in the New Story At this point life began to change. ment will take a little longer. future generations. I found the power- Eulalie, where Fr Noailles was a curate of the Universe?’ As Sister Colleen After various tests and scans it In retrospect this last year has been point presentation magnetic and truly for four years, as well as visiting other G.C.Moore said, ‘We do not know the became clear that I was lucky and one of the most rewarding and dare I inspirational. parts of Bordeaux. Fr Noailles spent answers yet, but we are asking the the tumour was completely con- say, enjoyable of our lives for many There were times during most of his time between Bordeaux questions.’ tained and removable by surgery or reasons but that’s another story. 28 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 29 ARRAS B SIN M G E M Martin P Neary

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o ating situations I regularly for the onslaught. At this point, the friends, C find myself in, usually due man had not uttered a word, but now who were Take back control of your life : – I to engaging mouth before brain. he barked out instructions, presum- agog to know The one I am about to relate, ably to the lady, since I couldn’t under- how it had gone since, accord- Overcome fears and phobias, anxiety and depression, however, is not in that category, stand a word. Out of the corner of ing to them, the only sound issuing stress and low self esteem, habits and addictions. but equally cringeworthy. my eye, I saw him catching hold of a from the room had been long drawn- Confront weight problems. Stop smoking. I was on a yoga holiday in Kerala, in rope suspended from the ceiling, and out groans form yours truly! “What on India, staying at an Ayurvedic retreat, then I was ground into the floor as if earth was going on in there?” they Appointments Monday to Saturday (day or evening ) where many healing practices were a steamroller had run over me. I don’t demanded to know. When I explained being carried out. Having heard posi- know why he bothered with a rope, the procedure, they were in fits of Tel : 0208 504 9594 tive reports from several friends who since it appeared to make no differ- laughter, since none of them had had Mob : 07757 277443 had been treated for frozen shoul- ence to the weight crushing me down. that treatment. Email : [email protected] der and tennis elbow, I decided to “That’s all very well,” I protested. seek help for my “What I do object to is that sciatica, which none of you warned me I www.hypno-haven.com had caused me had to take my clothes much pain in off!” the past. Having My friends looked In Touch already enjoyed aghast. It must have Advertisement Rates a massage been the look on Advertising Manager Jerry Crowley with oils from my face that did it, 020 8505 1689 or [email protected] the two ladies because one by Full Page £120 there, I wasn’t one they start- half page £60 overly alarmed, ed to laugh. one third page £40 but slightly per- “I don’t know quarter page £30 turbed, to be told how to break one sixth page £20 I had to remove this to you;” said one eighth page £15 all my clothes for one, “but none of Please support our Advertisers without them In Touch would not exist. And the treatment. Oh us did have to take our please mention In Touch when you contact advertisers so that they will know well, I thought, when in clothes off!” that advertising in In Touch is worthwhile Rome…… “Perhaps it was the Having been thoroughly nature of the treatment,” said oiled by the two ladies, I another, doubtfully. felt like a wet fish. Imagine “Or the fact you had “gullible” writ- my embarrassment when a stocky ten all over your forehead,” quipped Indian man strode in, dressed only in a third. an orange loincloth! At least he had I shall probably never know, but I some clothes on! Compared to me, When he finally stopped, I slid to my like to believe the best in people and he was formally attired! I reasoned feet like a cartoon character that has I am sure it was all for the best pos- that I was covered in so much oil; I’d been run over and resembles a sheet sible reasons that I was subjected probably shoot straight out the win- of thin paper! I suppose it’s one way to such an embarrassing ordeal. Of dow if he attempted to massage me to lose weight! I could patent it for use course, my friends thought it was at that point. But this was no ordinary in health clubs in England. hilarious and are constantly remind- massage, I soon discovered. The lady The final humiliation was having to ing me about it. One even bought me instructed me to lie face downwards practice an exercise which I was to do a hula hoop on the strength of it! on the floor, as I was to be given a every day, according to Mr. Ropeman, But the final laugh was mine. Since foot massage. By this time I was so and involved swinging the hips round that day, I have never suffered from bemused I went into automatic mode. as if doing the hula hoop. At this sciatica, so Mr Ropeman is vindi- Inside, I was thinking: “You wait until point, the fact I had no clothes on was cated in my eyes! I just hope and pray I see my friends outside! They might immaterial – any dignity I had had I’m not featured somewhere on You have warned me about this!” But on before was long gone. Wrapped in a Tube, demonstrating the hula hoop

Ad ria n W hit e ha ll the outside, I appeared totally calm. towel, I staggered out of the treatment minus the hoop!!!!! 30 In Touch 2012 Issue 4 31 OPHTHALMIC OPTICIANS

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