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The Official Newspaper to Inside this month: the Diocese of Lancaster p4 Olympic Fervour - Sports and Faith p10 Uclan Retreat to Pantasaph Issue 237 + March 2012 p12 Passion

The Light is

ON for You Blog Bishop’s of courtesy Photo’ This Lent, every Catholic church in the Diocese of Lancaster will be open for Confession.

Come and ollowing on from his New Year’s Day forgiveness “Confession gives us the chance FPastoral Letter and, as a preliminary to start over, to hit the ‘reset’ button of our Celebrate the to the upcoming Year of Faith (October lives. It shows how forgiving and Sacrament of 2012 to November 2013) announced by compassionate our God is and it helps us Pope Benedict XVI last year, Bishop to grow in concern and love for others. Come Reconciliation Campbell has launched an important to Confession this Lent and receive God’s - diocesan initiative this Lent called The mercy, for peace of mind and to deepen your Every Light Is On For You - a diocesan-wide friendship with , to receive spiritual Wednesday and high-profile celebration of the healing and to increase your sense of joy - Sacrament of Reconciliation. and to experience Christ’s saving grace.” 29th Every Wednesday of Lent, from 29th To those who feel it has been too long February February to the Wednesday of Holy Week, since their last confession or that God 4th April, every Catholic Church in the could not possibly forgive them, Bishop till the Diocese will be open from 7.00p.m. to Campbell says, “God’s love for you is greater 4th April 8.00p.m. for Confession. than all the sins you’ve committed or could - ever commit. Now is the time to come and Leading this outreach initiative of the have God take away the burdens of guilt that 7.00pm to ‘New Evangelisation’ as termed by Pope can often weigh us down. If you’ve been 8.00pm Benedict, Bishop Campbell said, “During waiting for a sign to return to the Church or the Lenten season, in a particular way we to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this is invite those who seek to strengthen their your chance to re-establish and strengthen a relationship with the Lord to join us in relationship with God that will last forever.” this celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our priests are here to In support of this new initiative there welcome you home, to pray with you, to be is a new The Light Is On For You! section of service in the name of Jesus Christ, who of the diocesan website: offers all of us forgiveness for our sins and www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk the gift of His mercy and love.” which includes information on the Sacrament of Confession including Bishop Campbell encourages everyone various Examinations of Conscience, both Mass-going Catholics and those who the Act of Contrition, videos about the have been away from the Church to share Sacrament, and parish resources for in the celebration of this Sacrament of promoting the initiative. 2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

EDITORIAL r. Carl Jung, the Father of Analytical Psychology, said in his powerful source of grace, healing and personal growth. D1935 Tavistock Lectures that in his thirty years of practice as a psychotherapist working with hundreds of patients The caricature of Catholics is that we’re obsessed with guilt, but he only had six practising Catholics on his list. He put the increasingly nothing could be further from the truth. Granted we scarcity of practising Catholics seeking medical help for recognise that guilt about behaving badly is a sign of a healthy suffering of the mind or soul down to the fact that the moral and spiritual ‘immune system’, but the experience of Catholic Church was a healing institution with its ‘rigorous Catholics who do regularly go to confession is not one of guilt system of confession and its director of conscience’. but one of freedom and joy. The joy of forgiveness received from Jesus through the ministry of the confessor spills over into our From a Swiss Protestant family, Carl Jung realised as a entire lives in a sense of gratitude and generosity. psychotherapist that Catholics experienced Jesus as the healer of mind and soul through the ministry of priests as confessors It is for these reasons that the Catholic Voice of Lancaster and spiritual directors. As he put it ‘…our Lord himself is a healer; enthusiastically supports Bishop Campbell’s Lenten initiative, he is a doctor; he heals the sick and he deals with the troubles of The Light Is On For You. Every Wednesday of Lent, from 29th the soul’. February to the Wednesday of Holy Week, 4th April, every Catholic Church in the diocese will be open from 7.00p.m. to Contact us As Catholics we would express the emphasis slightly differently 8.00p.m. for Catholics to go to Confession. Bishop Campbell The Catholic Voice of Lancaster from Jung by saying Jesus is the Healer, He is the Doctor of the explains the purpose of The Light Is On For You in ways Dr Jung is published on the last Sunday of the soul. Though some forms of modern medicine and psychology would recognise: month previous to publication date. are given to us as necessary and beneficial for human well being Jesus is the source of healing beyond human capacity and The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is understanding: published by its owners. The Trustees Confession gives us the“ chance to start over, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of ‘The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies…Only God to hit the ‘reset’ button of our lives. It shows Lancaster, a registered charity, forgives sins. Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, “The how forgiving and compassionate our God is (No. 234331), and is wholly independent Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” and exercises this of and separate from any previous divine power: “Your sins are forgiven.” Further, by virtue of his divine and it helps us to grow in concern and love newspaper published by or on behalf authority he gives this power to men to exercise in his name. for others. Come to Confession this Lent and of the diocese. (CCC 1421, 1441) receive God’s mercy, for peace of mind and EDITOR: If Carl Jung were alive today would he be able to report, as he did to deepen your friendship with Jesus, to Edwina Gillett in 1935,that over 60 % of his Catholic respondents said that if receive spiritual healing and to increase 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 they were suffering anguish or troubled souls they would turn for [email protected] help to their confessors rather than to doctors? It’s extremely your sense of joy and to experience www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk unlikely because the tragedy for today’s Catholics is that the Christ’s saving grace. majority - of even Mass-going Catholics - have somehow abandoned ADVERTISING: the practice of confession, thereby denying themselves this Nick Layton / CathCom Ltd. 020 7112 6710 [email protected] ” www.cathcom.org

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PUBLISHED BY: CathCom Ltd. 2/4 Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, CB9 7DG 0870 228 4266 www.cathcom.org Articles to: [email protected] Letters to: [email protected] VoiceXtra: [email protected] BY THE WAY… Postal Address: FAO Edwina Gillett 99 Commonside, Ansdell, Have you heard about the Royal Visit Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ

Please send articles for publication on CD or by email, supplying any photos separate rince Charles paid a visit to Yorkshire Web, the company pers, directories as well as special editions for World Youth Day to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise based in Barnsley, Yorkshire, who print the Catholic Voice and the Papal Visit. It also offers other IT services. For more infor- please type double spacing or write very P of Lancaster and CathCom's other diocesan papers including mation see: www.cathcom.org/index.asp clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST Middlesbrough Voice and Catholic South West. DAY of the month prior to publication. Photographs will be returned if you CathCom director Nick Layton said: “Prince Charles saw where the remember to put your name and address newspapers are prepared for print, the printing presses themselves on the back of each and enclose suitable and how the papers are sorted and packed to be sent out.” stamped and self-addressed packaging. He said: “People were thrilled by the visit. This was a great honour for the excellent team that print and produce our papers.”

CathCom has published the Catholic Voice of Lancaster since De- cember 2009. They also publish a number of other diocesan pa- www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3

This Lent, every Catholic church Children’s in the Diocese of Lancaster will be open for Charity CONFESSIONS Challenge

hat a day for CAFOD and Brian WHouse! St Bernadette’s Catholic , , raised over £700 for charity.

Children and staff put together a Nativity The Light is play and collected money for CAFOD and Brian House (a local hospice that cares ON for You for terminally ill children). Before breaking up for Christmas the whole school donated money to wear their own clothes Come and Celebrate the for the day. Sacrament of Reconciliation Head teacher Mr O’Hare said: “I am very proud of the children and all the money Every Wednesday they have raised.” 29th Feb to 4th Apr pm pm The whole school community enjoyed 7.00 - 8.00 fundraising and everyone was excited about helping the charities. An amazing £745 was raised in total and the money was split between the two charities, both of which are very dear to St Bernadette’s. The children would like to thank their families for their generosity. Written by Year 4 at St Bernadette’s www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk

Wanted for PNE: Goat in Rwanda! the Missions Large Statues (Even damaged oats are highly prized among the ones), old vestments, pictures, country people of Rwanda. They church fittings, rosaries, prayer G books, etc. are not only useful but require little Please ring Mr. B. Ferris KSC, 102 Moor St, Earlsdon, upkeep. They need nowhere special to Coventry CV5 6EY live; they eat almost anything and in Tel: 02476 676986 time produce nourishing milk and saleable kids and on a daily basis manure which is most valuable for vegetable patches! After death, their meat is edible and their skins useful for making purses and handbags.

Knowing the difference a goat can make to a family the Rwanda Group Trust in Preston decided to offer friends and customers the opportunity to send a goat for Christmas!

The response was overwhelming and seventy goats have been paid for at £30 each with buyers invited to ‘name your goat’!

People bought them in their own name, or in the name of others with the result that there are now in Rwanda goats with a variety of names including Judithe, Ethel and Bertha, and one lucky one rejoicing in the name PNE (pronoun PEN).

Pictured is Judithe the white goat and PNE. Goats can still be bought from The Rwanda Charity Shop in Syke St. Preston or at: www.rwandagrouptrust.org.uk or by phoning 01772 700 102. 4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

Being a Young Catholic Today Becky, 19, Bispham Olympic Fervour -Sports and faith

e are now well into the Olympic Achille Ratti Mountaineering Club house too has her saints and sinners. Both sports WYear when Britain has the great at Bishopscale in the Lake District there is and faith aim to develop body, mind and Strength honour and privilege of hosting the a chapel with a risen Christ (looking like a spirit. They both have the rituals before, greatest sporting spectacle on earth, fell runner) emerging from the cross, during and after events, songs and hymns, of Faith bringing people together from the holding his right hand up in triumph and sermons and pep talk on how to improve. far-reaching corners of the world. There his left clenching the nails that had is a sense of gathering excitement as pierced him. Dressed as a victor, this is Sometimes, faith and sport flow into each plans begin to take shape and there are Christ who confronted and defeated the other more explicitly especially when an i, I’m Becky and I’m studying many groups within the Church, such as Adversary, Satan, and who rose from athlete will use their religious belief to HFrench and Russian at ‘More than Gold’ or the ‘Joshua Camp’, Death declaring, ‘Death is now swallowed help and support them in their sporting St Andrews in Scotland. Before that are seeking to use the opportunity up in victory. Death, where is your victory? performance. After a goal he scored, starting University I was incredibly in a creative and positive way to Death where is your sting?’ (1 Cor. 15). Kieron Richardson, for example, showed nervous; moving hundreds of miles evangelise through outreach, hospitality off a tee-shirt revealing the slogan ‘I to a new town with thousands of and witness. So, just how do faith and belong to Jesus.’ There are a number of new people was a daunting prospect sport work together? football players that before entering the and I couldn’t see how faith and ...knocked down‘ and yet we field of play or scoring a goal bless student life could work together. In his autobiography, Jamie Carragher, still have life in us. themselves. Jonathan Edwards, who once However, within days of arriving in the Liverpool Defender, begins with the described his world record triple jump as St Andrews I realised how wrong startling revelation that had his mum not (2 Cor. 4) ‘his leap of faith’, would not compete on I had been. I thought having faith been a Catholic, he might have been a Sunday, a decision which meant that may isolate me from my peers, yet it aborted. Whilst in his mother’s womb, At the time of Christ, the Olympic Games he did not compete in the 1991 World was faith which helped me to settle ’ doctors thought that he had spina bifida had been well established. Alf Benson Championships. In 1993, after much in during that crucial first week. and recommended termination. ‘She was (Lancaster), 24, who is a keen sporting deliberation and discussion with his father too religious to consider abortion, no matter enthusiast and has thought deeply about (a vicar), he changed his mind, deciding The Catholic Society at St Andrews is how disabled I’d be. ‘Our Lord told me to how his faith and his passion for sport that God gave him his talent in order for fantastic, and through it I have met have the baby’, she still claims’, he wrote. engage with one another, reflects that him to compete in athletics’. some amazing people who have This revelation shows us that there is a these Games started as a festival to the inspired me to truly be myself at profound link between faith and life, and gods of Ancient Greece. Athletic The relationship between faith and sport university. Not everything has been sport is one of the most powerful competition was tied to the worship of the is a complex one and we asked three easy; it is very tempting to have a expressions of that life. gods and in addition brought peace and young people to share their thoughts on lie-in on Sunday mornings! I enjoy harmony between the different city states how faith and sport worked out in their explaining the reasons for my beliefs In fact there are more parallels between of Ancient Greece. And that link, he life: Ruth Baker, 21, a keen sailor; Iona and discussing them with my sport and faith than one would suspect. suggests, continues today. Indeed, religion Reid-Dalglish, 24, a cyclist; and, Richard non-Catholic friends. On numerous occasions, St Paul speaks of and sport have many similarities, with Teasdale, 19, a lover of all sports from the struggle to live out faith using images objects, symbols and set ceremonies. Workington. Prayer at university is very different, from the sporting world. No doubt St Paul To give a few examples: The church as a life is hectic and initially I struggled was familiar with the Isthmian Games in building is a sacred place and many Ruth writes, ‘When I am sailing, and it is to make space in my day for God. Corinth where he lived for a few years. football fans see their team’s home just the boat and me and the wind and the However I soon noticed the effects Using imagery drawn from wrestling ground as a sacred place. You only need weather, it is hard to forget God. I learnt that lack of quiet prayer had on my competitions and the gladiatorial games to think of the uproar when Mike Ashley to sail when I was 14, at a time when I was life. I now make sure to pray more he speaks of how the follower of Christ is wanted to change the name of St James’s unhappy at school, and hand in hand with regularly, not just when I am at often ‘knocked down and yet we still have Park in Newcastle to the name of his my faith, dinghy sailing saved me, giving me Church. Prayer allows me to pace my life in us’ (2 Cor. 4), and the need to ‘put business. How many people would like something to look forward to each weekend. days, to take a step back and to keep on the armour of God to resist the Devil’s their Parish Church name being changed From the age of 18 to 20 I was a full time my focus on the Lord. During the past tactics’ (Eph. 6). He speaks of life as a race, to a large shopping chain? Likewise, the watersports instructor, and the Gospel three months the Church has been a ‘forgetting all that lies behind me, and parish church is often the centre of a passage of Jesus Calming the Storm came to wonderful constant in my life and has straining forward to what lies ahead, I am community where people meet others, see mind a lot during frightening moments in helped me to overcome the inevitable racing towards the finishing line to win the friends, discuss what is happening. The high winds and rain when teaching. “Jesus, struggles with homesickness. I have prize of God’s heavenly call’ (Phil. 3). many youth clubs, meeting groups, sports please just make it stop!” I used to pray, learnt that faith cannot simply Towards the end of his life he claims, ‘I teams and even the coffee after Mass on a when yet another boat on my course had disappear; it not only endures the have fought the good fight, I have finished Sunday morning show the Church and capsized and waves were breaking over the trials and changes life can bring but the race, I have kept the faith’ (2 Tim. 4) and community going hand in hand. Again, all bow of my powerboat. I love sailing in all grows stronger with time and, if while athletes compete for ‘a wreath that sports come with a rule book and in the weathers, both with wind and without wind. nurtured, it too gives us strength will wither away, we do it for a wreath that Church we too have a Law Book with and hope. will never wither’ (1 Cor. 9). Moreover, Commandments. All sports have their The exhilaration of being out in the raw Christ is the ultimate athlete. At the heroes and their villains, and the Church elements, the speed and the adrenaline that www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5

produces, cannot fail to make me praise Whenever someone mentions to me about God. I rarely sing. There are only two times sport and religion, all I can think of is Celtic when I do: while at Mass, and when sailing. and Rangers, Celtic being the Catholics and Sailing without wind, in the peace and calm Rangers the Protestants. But that itself is of floating on a still lake helps me reflect outdated these days with sectarianism on and thank God. To pray whilst experiencing the way out and all violence being wrong in God's creation is amazing. For me, sport the eyes of God and the law anyway. There and my faith dovetail perfectly, and I could are sports stars like Kaka and Messi who are not separate the two.’ openly Catholic, and you often see teams having a little prayer before a match, but is Iona shares how she discovered some that just a desire to win or is there a deeper deep spiritual wisdom in cycling 1200 meaning? I still maintain that Darren miles from St. Malo to Santiago de Campbell would have broken the 100m We believe that Millercare is the premier specialist provider of mobility and Compostela last Summer. ‘This solo world record if he wasn’t being beaten in healthcare equipment in the North West of England. We have been in business for over 50 years and our sales and service staff have unequalled four-week cycling pilgrimage was an the chin by his crucifix but that’s a different experience, knowledge and training. We aim to give our customers more incredible experience, and a real opportunity matter altogether. For me sport and religion independence, freedom and improved quality of life by supplying products, to spend time getting to know God and haven’t really clashed much. When I was services and advice that best suits their needs. myself, and trust in both. There is something playing football every Sunday as a kid, I about physically propelling yourself over a wasn’t into religion, but if I was raised a great distance that enables meditation. I Catholic I probably would have had to make guess you could say it was like a physical the choice and back then, when I was young Rosary. The cycling kept my conscious mind and naïve, I would have chosen to play PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL TEAM: MEL, LORNA or LEE and body occupied, while letting me ponder football. Now definitely not! Not that I love TEL: 0808 1788311 E MAIL:[email protected] things at a deeper level. It gave me a football any less, I have just found a greater Website: www.millercare.co.uk renewed appreciation and awe for what my love in life. From time to time I do pray that body was capable of, what I was capable of. Arsenal will find a wonder striker and break their many seasons without a trophy but It also brought me back to basics, closer to that’s pretty much it. In conclusion, I really those pilgrims of old. I experienced learning just can’t put the two together. Not that I to trust that I was in God’s hands. Navigating wouldn’t want to, but I just don’t think there on my own with maps through France and is a need. They are two separate loves of Spain, with little map-reading experience, mine and I’m happy for them to stay that could have been a real challenge. However, way. Should one day they come together in starting every day with a prayer to the Holy my life I would embrace it, but until then it’s Spirit for guidance, and inflated tyres, meant the Premier League on a Saturday and Mass I neither got lost nor had a single flat in all on a Sunday!’ 1200 miles. I think exercise is good for the soul. We are created to be active, something Whilst the link between faith and sports sadly missing in a lot of modern lives. We are is not always clear, I am reminded of created to be on the move, ever-changing, Christmas Day 1914, when the sound moving forwards, growing; a terrifying of Christmas carols rose from the prospect to humanity which seems blood-stained trenches of the First World desperate to cling onto everything rather War, when hope for a moment seemed to than trust. This cycle tour forced me into a overcome fear, and how that hope led to a routine which embraced these ways of living, spontaneous ceasefire and a friendly and it nourished my whole self, mind, body game of football on ‘No Man’s Land’ and soul. We are pilgrims at heart, created to between the Germans and the Brits. journey towards God. My physical journey revealed this to me in a dramatic and direct Let’s pray that in this Olympic Year ahead, way. God gave me this gift of cycling, and I hope may once again win over, and felt I glorified and praised Him by doing it’. people of every nation may overcome obstacles and discover that we are after But not all are quite so convinced. Richard all one family, and that faith and sport Teasdale, from Workington, writes ‘Sport have much to teach us as to how to live and religion is one of those things I would together in a love that overcomes just never associate to go together. all things. Fr Philip Conner 6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk Fr. Tad Pacholczyk - MAKING SENSE OUT OF BIOETHICS

nce I met a woman who had worked temptation to avoid the burdens of care for Ofor years in fashion and modelling. the handicapped... In part, however, they Unsurprisingly, she was strikingly are the pressures of cultural attitudes, attractive. She was accompanied by her assimilated by many Christians, towards Unconditional teenage daughter who, by contrast, was the child.” rather unremarkable to look at, maybe even a plain-Jane. After spending time He continues: “For many it has become Parental Love with them, I began to sense that the merely quaint to think of each child as a mother, whose life had largely revolved unique gift of God; children are more around her appearance, seemed to like planned acquisitions in our culture, look down on her daughter, perhaps acquisitions which should fit into our unconsciously, because of her average expectations about how our lives should appearance. Her daughter seemed go, about the ease and enjoyments that aware of this lack of maternal should characterize our lifestyle. A child acceptance, and seemed troubled who might threaten our ease may, if he or and uncomfortable as she tried to she is viewed as an acquisition, be thought compensate and please her mom in of as a replaceable acquisition. And indeed other ways. genetic counselors will tell parents: you can terminate this pregnancy and try again for The girl's situation was a strong reminder a ‘normal child.’” to me of how important it is for every child to experience unconditional acceptance A husband and wife are called to give from their parents if they are to grow and themselves to each other completely and mature in a healthy way. Unconditional unreservedly, and to accept each other love profoundly and beautifully molds us unconditionally in the marital embrace. as human beings. Every child of theirs, whether entering the world with a handicap or not, is an A growing number of parents in our expression and fruit of themselves and society, however, no longer seem to hold their acceptance of each other. To reject to this key notion of unconditionally their own progeny because of a disability accepting their own children. If parents is to reject each other on some level. To are told by doctors that their children deny life to their own flesh and blood is might be born with physical or mental also to reject an infinite gift from the Giver disabilities, many parents today will reject of gifts, and to arrogate to themselves a them and even yield to the temptation to ruthless power over life. Meanwhile, the end their lives through direct abortion. unconditional acceptance of a child as a gift of God flows from the true and I was recently discussing the Special unconditional acceptance of each other Olympics with the father of a boy who has as husband and wife, even with all their Down syndrome, and he remarked that spousal faults and defects. when he takes his son to the local chapter, there seem to be reduced numbers of new children participating each year. He wondered if this could be due to the Truly unreserved“ self-giving carries expanded targeting of Down syndrome

Bioethics with it a commitment to unreserved children through prenatal testing and acceptance of the fruit of that abortion. This Lent, every self-giving. The dignity of the child Most unborn children diagnosed with is only adequately recognised in the Catholic church Down syndrome, in fact, are never allowed acceptance and cherishing of him to be born. Data from the United Kingdom just as he is. in the Diocese indicate that between 1989 and 2006 of Lancaster will approximately 92% of women chose to terminate a pregnancy with a prenatal be open for diagnosis of Down syndrome, while in the As Gormally concludes,” “Truly unreserved U.S., several published studies suggest self-giving carries with it a commitment to CONFESSIONS the figure may be somewhere between unreserved acceptance of the fruit of that 87% and 98%. A great many Down self-giving. The dignity of the child is only syndrome children, indeed, never see the adequately recognised in the acceptance light of day. and cherishing of him just as he is.”

In the face of these harsh data, the We do well continually to realign our importance of explicitly repudiating the thinking, so we can come to see how our The Light is eugenic mindset that has taken hold in children, whether “perfect” or not, are our society cannot be overstated. No child treasures and never possessions; they are is perfect, but every child is precious. We gifts, and never acquisitions. They are ON for You need to act as a people “set apart” in our blessings to be safeguarded and nurtured attitude to the begetting of children who in the embrace of unconditional parental may be disabled. Historically, Catholics acceptance. Come and Celebrate the have always stood apart in this way. Sacrament of Reconciliation Practically, this means overturning our Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his culturally-conditioned attitudes towards doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and “imperfect” children, and accepting every did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a Every Wednesday priest of the diocese of child without preconditions. We must th th Fall River, MA, and 29 Feb to 4 Apr push back against the almost ubiquitous serves as the Director pm pm pressure that counsels us to ensure that 7.00 - 8.00 of Education at The our children are born without defects. National Catholic www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk Bioethics Center. See Bioethicist Luke Gormally argues it this www.ncbcenter.org way: “In part these pressures are the natural www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7

Fellow pupils watch appreciatively.

unior School pupils at Austin Friars JSt Monica’s School, Carlisle have spent an afternoon celebrating music in the School’s Chapel.

There were individual performances from a number of pupils including: Jo Yu Liu on the piano, Archie McKnespiey on the trumpet, Joseph Allen on the Harp, Evie Logiue on the Clarinet, Joseph Rafferty- McGlynn on the violin and Ollie Harte on the trumpet. In addition Eden Rose Hunter Junior (aged 10) sang a beautiful rendition of ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’.

Mrs Frances Willacy, Head of the Junior School said, “The children are to be School’s congratulated for providing a splendid afternoon of music. The musical performances were outstanding and the choirs sang with clarity and obvious Musical enjoyment. The children did very well and received well deserved applause for their musicality.”

At the end of the recital a number Celebration of pupils were also presented with Associated Board Grade Music Certificates by the School’s Headmaster Mr Chris Lumb.

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Dear Editor Dear Editor

Dilemma of War Pastoral Letter Reaction The article “The Cross and the Sword” In his latest Pastoral letter, Bishop Michael seeks written reflections on the (Voice Issue 234) was a timely reminder challenges facing the Diocese. My comments are restricted to the movement of that not all who wore a uniform were people and the closure of church buildings. combatants and yet were in the thick of the fighting ministering to the troops as As a member of the “Fit for Mission” team set up by Bishop O'Donoghue to chaplains to the Forces; and like so many determine the shape of the diocese by the year 2020, I would recommend that others, some paid the ultimate sacrifice. we stick to the plan and don't deviate from it. Every Parish was invited to submit data which was fully evaluated and where necessary questioned and put back to Parishes and Deaneries for comment. The resultant document is a valuable The article also highlighted the moral resource that should not be allowed to gather dust on Diocesan bookshelves. dilemmas (a subject raised in the letters Your letters page of the same edition) which, from time Although a great deal of tears were shed by Parishioners affected by the to time, confront us all. Were those brave How to send us proposals, the underlying principle the number of active priests that would be chaplains mindful of the words in your letters: available by the year 2020, based on their age by that date, the rate of vocations the Gospel that we should “love our to the priesthood and demographic changes in the meantime. Unless there is a Write to: neighbour”, “turn the other cheek” and the dramatic increase in vocations, the fact is that the remaining clergy will only be The Editor, Commandment “Thou shalt not kill” as the able to do so much; inevitably, parishes have to amalgamate or close, church 99, Commonside, found themselves on the battlefield? I buildings will become redundant and should be sold off to finance improved Ansdell, suspect not; rather they felt the need to facilities in the Parishes and Schools that remain. Lytham St. Annes, try to bring what they could of God's FY8 4DJ. message to a world which at the time There is a military principle appropriate to the situation: “Selection and seemed bent on destruction. Email to: Maintenance of the Aim”. The aim hasn't changed significantly - stick to the [email protected] plan and don't tinker with it. We must put emotions aside, face reality and get All of which leads to today and the letter on with it! mentioned above in which the writer was • Please keep your letters concise concerned as to how, as Catholics, we Yours sincerely, (max 300 words), choose our moral concerns. As someone Tony Parrini, Carlisle • Include your full name and address who spent almost 40 years in the Royal Air • Letters should not include any Force and finished his working life with a personal criticism or attacks short spell at BAE Systems I am unable to ------• The editor reserves the right to: answer my own question, or that of the gentleman who questions our choice in - amend or shorten letters or to Dear Editor refuse to publish them (no such issues. It would seem I (and many others) still have a long road to travel correspondence to discuss decisions Lourdes Reunion before knowing the answer. taken will be entered into) I went to Mass on Saturday. The Saturday in question was 12 November 2011 and - publish a response if deemed the occasion was the annual reunion of the UK Association of the Hospitalite de appropriate Chris Crocker, Ansdell Notre Dame de Lourdes.

In my younger days I was a frequent visitor to the shrine at Lourdes; initially on pilgrimage with my home Diocese of Salford and then for many years as a helper and as a brancardier with the Lourdes Hospitalite.

The invitations from the Association have been coming in regularly. This one, however, was one that could not be refused. The reunion was to be held in York and Mass was to be said in the Minster itself. How could you ignore the opportunity to attend Mass in such a magnificent and significant a venue as this? My mind was made up. I sent off my response and prepared for the day.

I was pleasantly nervous outside the Minster at the prospect of going in. A few familiar faces gathered outside. Greetings were exchanged and there was an air of expectation. This was rewarded with the news that, as a result of the numbers attending, Mass would be said in the Quire of the Minster. Huge thanks to the Dean and Chapter for allowing the event to go ahead in the first place.

The significance could not be underestimated. I am sure that Mass has been said at some recent point in time but on this occasion, I was there. The emotion of the occasion was evident as the Bishop of Middlesborough and various assorted priests processed onto the altar. A little pinch was needed to make sure that it was in fact happening. No triumphalism just a humbling feeling be to part of the occasion.

As if that wasn’t enough to take in, the Bishop began his homily by stating that the day was the feast day of St Josaphat. St Josaph was a bishop and martyr born in what today is Ukraine. He worked to bring about unity between the Orthodox Church and Rome.

There are occasions when you just have to stand back and reflect on the events that have taken place. Was there a coincidence or can some other interpretation be put on them? Consider this: a Catholic Mass in an Anglican Minster, the feast day of a saint working for church unity, and me - baptised and raised in the Ukrainian wing of the Orthodox Church who has been adopted by the Roman Church. In addition, don’t forget the catalyst in bringing this all about was the link with Lourdes and Our Lady.

I’m sure there are those who will be able to put a finer explanation for all these events happening to me on this day. For me, I was just so privileged to be a part of it.

Slav Baran, Poulton-le-Fylde www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9

From left to right: Deacon Paul Conneely, Bishop Richard Moth, Deacon Nick and Martina Donnelly.

Fit- Marriagefor Mission

ast November a group from prayer and practical exercises for a group LLancaster Diocese attended the of couples and the “Focus” pre-marriage Treat Yourselves and Each Other with Respect first national conference on marriage inventory which highlights areas of preparation organised by the compatibility and potential conflict. Treat yourselves and each other with seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out Catholic Church in England. The group respect, and remind yourselves often the storms when clouds hide the face of comprised Deacon Paul Conneely, Head The speakers included Fr. Enda of what brought you together. Give the sun in your lives... of the Catholic Caring Services, Peter McDonagh, formerly Professor of the highest priority to the tenderness, remembering that even if you lose sight and Janet Towers from Preston and Theology at Maynooth University, and gentleness and kindness that your of it for a moment, the sun is still there. Deacon Nick and Martina Donnelly Bishop Richard Moth, bishop to the Armed connection deserves. When frustration, And if each of you takes responsibility for from Barrow. Peter and Janet wrote Forces and an expert in Canon Law. difficulties and fear assail your the quality of your life together, it will this account of the conference. Fr. McDonagh spoke of God’s trust in relationship, as they threaten all be marked by abundance and delight. creation and especially in married couples; relationships at one time or another, For where two or three are gathered We have been leading marriage hence couples carry a responsibility to remember to focus on what is right together in my name, there am I in the preparation workshops in Preston for show God’s creative love to the world. between you, not only the part which midst of them. over fifteen years so we were delighted Marriage preparation is not an event when Preston Marriage Care and before marriage but takes place Lancaster Diocese Catholic Caring throughout life. Bishop Moth also spoke Services offered to help us to attend this of the need for marriage preparation conference. The delegates came from all throughout life. He said that Canon Law over the country; most were involved in requires marriage preparation to include St Pius X helping couples to prepare for marriage relational preparation, an understanding but some represented related work such of the liturgy of marriage, theology and Catholic as natural family planning and support to spirituality and ensuring the couple inter-Church families. Not surprisingly, meets the requirements of Canon Law. Preparatory the great majority were lay people He suggested that the marriage liturgy however there was an encouraging could be used as a good framework for School and number of clergy as well. marriage preparation. Oak House Much of the value of the A highlight of the Conference for the team from Lancaster was a workshop led by conference was in talking Deacon Nick and Martina Donnelly on Nursery informally and in structured the ‘Fit for Mission’ Marriage Preparation Programme. This programme was An outstanding all-round education for children workshops with other published as one of Bishop Patrick delegates, including some O’Donoghue’s three ‘Fit for Mission’ from two to eleven years from other parts of our own documents: Church, Schools and Marriage Preparation. The programme includes two diocese. We learnt a lot about approaches, one intended to evangelise OPEN DAY difference programmes in use couples with an inactive faith and the Sunday, 11th March other intended to catechise couples who 1.00pm to 4.00pm and feel better informed in already have an active faith. Each has six Tours of the school, including the recently extended and refurbished nursery, helping couples to prepare sessions, normally run as evening sessions will be led by children from our junior department. The head and members of for marriage in a manner over six weeks. The delegates attending staff will be on hand to welcome visitors and answer questions. this workshop included Bishop Moth. which best suits them. Questions and answers were lively and The school prepares children for academic entrance exams to senior independent and grammar schools and has an enviable reputation for its showed a high level of interest in the consistently high success rate. In Preston, clergy and lay people are approach. Community award (bursary) available equally involved with engaged couples. The clergy mostly ensure that the couple Overall, the conference was a great For more information or to arrange a visit and tour of our school on another understand the teachings of the Church opportunity to learn about preparing day, please contact us at: and meet the canonical requirements for couples for Catholic marriage and to make 200 Garstang Road, Fulwood, Preston, marriage; the teams of lay people help contacts within and beyond the Diocese. Lancashire, PR2 8RD. equip the couples with tools to ensure the Further information about Fit for Mission Tel 01772 719937 relationship flourishes throughout life. – Marriage Preparation can be obtained We learnt of other approaches such as from Deacon Paul Conneely, email: www.stpiusx.co.uk Engagement Encounter, in which lay [email protected], Email: [email protected] people and clergy lead a week-end of telephone: 01253 894069. 10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk DioceseAround the

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L’Arche Communities are places where people can take time to explore who they are, not just what they can do. They are places of welcome where people are transformed by an intense experience of community life, relationship, disability and difference. To find out more about our life and how you can be part of our community in Preston contact: Brian Kelly, Community Leader, 71 Garstang Road, Preston, PR1 1LB 01772 251113 or [email protected] UCLAN Retreat - Pantasaph Easter Mass Times tudents and staff from Uclan went with Fr John Delaney the experience as I witnessed my daughter participate in the weekend SUclan Chaplain on retreat to Pantasaph in Wales. programme and particularly to hear of the moment she was caught touching the beads on my Rosary as I prayed the decade from the Don’t forget to contact us “The whole weekend was very Spiritual, we were the only ones there Glorious Mysteries that of the “The Assumption”; she was baptised to include your Easter Mass so we had the lovely chapel and a teaching room to ourselves. It was Assunta again as thanks to Our Lady for her intervention on my Times in the Catholic Voice a time for reflection, a time for sharing our love of our faith, a time behalf to finally conceive and give birth to my daughter. of Lancasster for getting to know each other, and we all came away much stronger in our faith, and felt we were all part of a family” said Teresa Smith. My time at the Friary with the other members of the UCLan Phone CathCom on CathSoc Group was short but sweet and full of wonderful 01440 730399 “The experience of the retreat taught me how to open my heart to memories. I felt at home at Pantasaph and it felt like being part prayer and to love and trust in how the words will be presented to of an extended family as we were all able to interact and pray or email us me” said Julie Burns. together. I found it personally both humbling and encouraging [email protected] listening to the Group’s experiences of their own and other people’s “I couldn’t believe I was finally going to Pantasaph, I have been witness to faith and how the Holy Spirit had entered their hearts praying for this opportunity for a long time and it finally seemed that and changed their lives forever. On yet another personal note, it my prayers were answered” said Shirley Russo. “I wanted to visit the was lovely to have had the opportunity to visit the Sisters of Bryn National Shrine of Padre Pio; the Saint to whom I have a devotion Mwr Convent across the road from St David’s, in particular Sisters and after who my daughter Assunta Pia takes her second name. Shelagh and Teresa who I know from their time at St Wilfrid’s in I wanted to spend some time alone with my daughter to pray and to Preston and I mustn’t forget to share with you the secret of a long thank Padre Pio and our Blessed Lady for the grace I have received; life according to Sister Joseph who reached 100 earlier this year – that of the gift of motherhood and to selfishly ask for yet another hard work! I hope to return to Pantasaph again one day as it is personal intention. I found it a very moving and emotional truly a spiritual and holy place”. www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11

rother John Sargeant Past Provincial Around the Meritorious BGrand Knight of Province 7 (Lancaster) Diocese Service and Past Grand Knight and Officer of Pain and Council 447 (Blackpool South) is presented Award by Brother Bruce McCalla immediate Past Provincial Grand Knight on behalf of the Suffering Supreme Knight of the Order with his Meritorious Service Award for achievements in the Order of the Knights of St Columba. My Lord, You know what pain is, what suffering is, You paid a terrible price to redeem me, By suffering torture and a long Catenian lingering death, Oh my Saviour, your blood shed for me has saved me, Diamond Innocent lamb slain for me, To You Lord I offer my life, Celebration To you, my Lord and King. yril Baines of Garstang Circle, who & Sons of Preston, Builders and Civil Oh Lord, bathe me in your Cis 90 years of age, celebrated 60 Engineers, specializing in the building radiant light, Take away the years membership of the Catenian of churches, schools and houses. He suffering when it becomes to Association in November 2011. eventually became Managing Director Provincial Director of Province 10 Phil of the firm. much to bear, Let me see Your Morris presented Cyril with a 60 year shinning face through my scroll signed by the Grand President Cyril joined the Catenian Association torment, Never let me loose of the Catenian Association. on 6th November, 1951, when he was sight of your face, Never let me enrolled into Preston 144 Circle, and loose sight of your suffering Cyril is a native of Preston. After his was Circle President in 1966-67. He education at Preston Catholic , subsequently transferred to Garstang for me. St Joseph’s College, Dumfries and Circle in the mid seventies, when he University, where he moved with his family to reside in the How can I compare my pain graduated in engineering, he served in Garstang area. Lord to yours, But wonderful the R.A.F from 1942 to 1946, seeing Saviour give me the grace, service in India, Burma, Siam and Cyril was married to his late wife, Joan, for Singapore. 59 ½ years and they had seven children. To offer it up to You my Sadly, Joan suffered ill health for a number suffering Saviour Following demobilization Cyril worked for of years prior to her death in 2007, during Let my tears fall like pearls at his father’s well known firm- Pius Baines which time Cyril was her principal carer. your bleeding and broken feet, Let my pain pierce my heart like yours was pierced for me, Let the waves of my pain Celebrating 90 together! come to You Lord, As an offering to wash away my sins, Let me feel Your love through the pain and anguish. Martin's The Funeral Directors Oh suffering gentle Saviour, 188, Brow, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston 1, Stonebridge Parade, Preston Road, Longridge be with me at the end of this Tel. 01772-733007 or 01772-782121 life, So that I can see clearly Proprietor W. Martin Wootton Dedicated and Blessed Chapels of Rest through all the pain and ast November a small party was held George, Teresa and Oswald were baptised Golden Charter Pre-Paid Funeral Plans suffering, To the wonderful Lin the library of St.Augustines Parish at St. Augustines and made their first house to celebrate the birthdays of 4 of holy communion there and later were The complete funeral service place you have prepared, from a private family owned Where there is no more our parishioners who had, within 16 Confirmed there. Teresa was also been and run firm days, all become 90 years of age. This married there and her 8 children suffering or pain. Praise the was a happy occasion and we heard of educated at the school. Lena joined the Lord, my beautiful Saviour, their wartime activities. parish with her family in the early 1960's, My King who suffered and meeting up with Teresa who she had gave his life for me, Let me look George Holden served in North Africa, worked with after the war. All four upon your face for all eternity. Oswald Kellet served in Northern Italy, members are regular worshippers and Teresa O'Neill was an air raid warden and Oswald can still be seen taking the Follower of Jesus Lena Livesey had helped the war effort by collection basket round each Sunday building tanks at Leyland Motors. morning. Monica Cox Working Hard Raising Money

taff and Students at Christ the SKing Maths & Computing College Preston working hard raising money for St Catherine’s Hospice.

City Councillor Jennifer Mean and joined in the festivities and admired the great deal of hard work and effort. 12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

Brenda and Richard Dell on holiday at Waterhead on Lake Windermere. - to be broadcast by the BBC

reston Guild 2012 is all about 80 churches working together, with twelve Christians is a beacon for our times. sacrifices and unconditional love shone Ppeople, and so a special certificate headline events for the year. in the lives of many. was given to the first Guild baby born There are so many ways Christians use the on New Year’s Day. One notable headline event will be the period of Lent to look more closely at the It was not only the sharing of these stories Preston Passion, which will be broadcast . It may be through the but the uncovering of deep truths which This focus on people, alongside on BBC One on . One Stations of the Cross, Bible study, resulted. The spirituality in sharing these participation, is crucial to Preston Guild. thousand performers and a five hundred personal sacrifices or good works. Many was evident, and moving beyond measure. Community groups proclaim past strong choir singing four part harmonies of you will have already pondered: what achievements, and share future dreams. will participate in a live event from the shall I do this year? Like Mary’s answer in the Annunciation Likewise Christians in Preston have been city. Recruitment is under way, and there is instead of uselessly asking Why? There is working together for more than three real excitement in creating this Passion Last year, a unique request was made in only one reply to be made, and that is years. A special Guild prayer was printed from the heart of the city. Preston churches. People were invited How? How shall I cope? How can you help? and circulated, and a large steering group to share their own stories which could began to create a Christian calendar of The trend for religious, contemporary throw some light on the big themes of Watching children at Christmas enacting events for the year. outdoor theatre is flourishing in this Jesus’ life and death. The response was the Nativity brought home more vividly twenty first century. The Liverpool overwhelming. that our God is is to be found within each A prayer group also began to meet Nativity and the Manchester Passion other and we can play an active part in monthly with 34 people, representative of heralded the way. Last year Michael So many people had experience of accompanying each other through the 26 churches, at the first meeting. Each Sheen’s Port Talbot Passion and the injustice and cruelty. Others told of very worst times. Sharing in this kind of month intercessions are made for the Bolton Passion were again innovative. unspeakable loneliness and betrayal. testimony has had an immense impact on particular needs of the both the city and The Preston Passion is completely Still more told of pain and suffering and the community of Christians in Preston. churches. The result: involvement of over different again. This unifying work of compassion shining through. Above all Brenda Dell, Guild churches Core Group

Hosanna on Palm Sunday from Life of Christ at Wintershall Estate.

This Lent, every CONFESSIONS Catholic church Every Wednesday in the Diocese 29th February of Lancaster will to 4th April be open for: 7.00pm - 8.00pm

The Light is ON for You Come and Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confession has so many benefits, it wipes away our sin, gives us strength and grace in our on-going struggles, and helps us to share forgiveness with others knowing that we are forgiven by the Lord. www.lancasterdiocese.org.uk www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13

St Mary’s, Kells Celebrate A Rough Diamond t Mary’s Kells is perched on a hill overlooking the Irish Sea on one side and the Stown of Whitehaven on the other. The parish recently celebrated the 50th Lord, I am Your creation, anniversary of the opening of the present church building. Parishioners were You hold me in the palm of Your delighted to welcome Bishop Michael, on his first visitation to the parish, to their weekend of celebrations. hand, a rough diamond, I feel You changing me, working me, Older parishioners enjoyed a celebratory gathering in the parish hall after the Saturday Vigil Mass and, “St Mary’s Little Lambs”, the Children’s Liturgy group, were delighted to polishing me, shaping me, pose with Bishop Michael after the Sunday morning Mass. into something bright and clear.

The Bishop’s congratulations and warm pastoral words of support for a small parish on the edge of the Diocese, and his thanks to all those who support its work and survival, Let every facet of me shine were much appreciated. Willie Slavin, Chair of St Mary’s Parish Council with your brilliance, And pour forth rays of Your love, to everyone I meet, Lord and Master, You have polished me, patiently and lovingly, To sparkle and shine with Your Love, Let all the shine You have given me radiate and flow to all those who need Your love and Your light.

Lord, I feel the sunlight of Your presence, Let me bathe in Your brilliant light, Let the radiance You have given me light my way, Always to follow You and walk with You till the end of this life, Until You place Your diamond in heaven, Ready to shine for You for all eternity. Follower of Jesus Photo’ courtesy of Bishop’s Blog A Rough Diamond he media and society in general are • The immense privilege of celebrating Tonly too willing to rehearse the Mass with and for God’s people; of miseries of the priest when he falls from consecrating the Body and Blood of grace. They speak little of the joys of the Christ, and offering Him to the Father priesthood because they don’t see or or the needs of the whole world. understand them; just as beautiful stained glass can only be appreciated • Seeing the sacred chrism shining on truly from within the building, and not the head of a newly-baptised baby in from outside. the light of the baptismal candle.

Faith is the key. So, here are some of my • Parish get-togethers, baptisms, joys in the priesthood: weddings, even funerals when there is humour among tears. • The joy when I first realised our Lord could be calling me to share His • Seeing fear and anxiety fade when a priesthood, and the joy of ordination seriously-ill person receives the day when that hope was confirmed sacraments. by the Church. • Brother-priests’ company; meals, • Opening the door and being able to conversations, quick-witted reactions, help the homeless, even if in a jokes and stories. limited way. The Joy of • Our young people, full of energy and • Lifting burdens of guilt and anxiety in hope, and me hoping they will keep the confession, and receiving the same Faith; our elderly, aches and pains in the Priesthood forgiveness myself. plenty, but full of wisdom too. Canon John Watson

• Sharing and communicating the Faith • Sharing in the Lord’s work through Ordained: 16 June 1973 in preaching and teaching. being a “shepherd of souls”. Currently: Parish Priest of St Mary’s • Being strengthened in my own faith by All of this, and more, keeps me going, and Holy Family, Barrow-in-Furness the prayerfulness, goodness and and happy in my priesthood, despite my holiness of my parishioners. unworthiness. The Joy of the Priesthood 14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk Saints Feast Day: Saints 7th March Perpetua & Felicity

n the early Christian Church, no saints Christianity by carrying her child in his Iwere more honoured that the third arms and pleading with her, Perpetua century martyrs Perpetua and Felicity. remained steadfast in her Faith. Saint Perpetua kept a diary during her last days and, along with an eyewitness’s account of her death, is one of the great treasures of Father, do you“ see this water Christian literature, believed to preserve the actual words of the jar, or whatever it is standing martyrs and their friends. here? Could one call it by any other name than what In the fourth century these acts were publicly read in churches and were so it is? Well, in the same way, highly esteemed that St Augustine found I cannot be called by any it necessary to issue a protest against their being placed on a level with the Holy other name than what Scriptures. The writings were inspirational I am - a Christian. in encouraging other Christians to witness to the world with their lives and teaching that knowing Jesus and being loyal to him was greater than life itself. Felicity suffered with” the stifling heat, overcrowding and rough handling as she By order of Septimus Severus (193-211), was heavily pregnant. She feared that she all imperial subjects, under pain of death, would not be able to suffer martyrdom at were forbidden to become Christians. The the same time as the others because of CHURCH SOUND edict did not affect earlier converts only her condition, but her companions joined and recent ones. As a consequence, five in prayer on her behalf and two days catechumens (candidates for Baptism) before the games, when they were due to LOOP SYSTEMS were arrested for their faith at Carthage. be exposed to the wild beasts in the arena The group consisted of two slaves, for the entertainment of the crowd, she from the Revocatus and Felicitas, who was an gave birth to a daughter, who was adopted expectant mother, two free men, by a fellow Christian woman. EXPERTS Saturninus and Secundulus and Perpetua, a noblewoman who was a wife and mother There are vivid written accounts of the • More than 40 years’ experience of a young infant. Their teacher Saturus visions experienced during incarceration deliberately declared himself a Christian which helped to sustain them. Their jailer • All our installations are in churches before the judge so that he might die for Prudens, perceiving that there was some • Well known in the North East Christ with them and was also imprisoned. great power within them, became a • We now cover the North West too Perpetua’s father was a wealthy pagan; Christian and did all he could for them. • Free advice and quotations her mother, however, and two brothers • Channel 69 Radio Microphones become obsolete in were Christians, one being a catechumen; Their calm courage and confidence a third brother, the child Dinocrates, brought about many conversions as, on October this year and cannot be used after that date. had died. He was to feature in some the Emperor’s birthday, the day of their • We are experts in solving all radio mic and sound problems of Perpetua’s visions during her execution, they entered the arena “joyfully for Church clients. imprisonment. as though they were on their way to • For free advice and radio mic upgrades please contact us. Heaven.” At the demand of the pagan mob Perpetua’s father beseeched her to offer they were first scourged; then a boar, a sacrifice to the pagan gods so she could bear and a leopard were set at the men be free, but she refused. She said, “Father, and a wild cow at the women. Wounded by TONY ATKINSON do you see this water jar, or whatever it is the animals, Perpetua and Felicity gave standing here? Could one call it by any other each other the kiss of peace and were ASSOCIATES name than what it is? Well, in the same way, then beheaded. Their bodies were interred I cannot be called by any other name than at Carthage where a magnificent basilica what I am - a Christian.” was afterwards erected over their tomb, Limekiln House, Piercebridge, Darlington, the Basilica Majorum; that the tomb was County Durham DL2 3UJ The terrors of Perpetua’s imprisonment indeed in this place seems to be borne out were increased by her anxiety for her by an ancient inscription bearing the Office tel: 01325 374790 Mobile: 07831 275511 un-weaned child from whom she was names of the martyrs discovered in 1907 separated. Two deacons who ministered by Fr Delattre. to the prisoners succeeded in bribing the Email: [email protected] jailer enabling Perpetua’s mother to bring Today these women are mentioned in the Website: www.atkinsound.co.uk the baby to her. Despite her father’s angry first Eucharistic Prayer. And their feast day attempts to induce her to renounce is on 7th March. Jenny Phillips www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2012 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 The Holy Spirit is our special helper

n Baptism, we begin to live as Ifollowers of Jesus. We live as his disciples. As Jesus’ disciples, we want to make good choices. The Holy Spirit guides us in making good choices. He is Go to Confession our special helper. We are Tempted to Sin Even when we try to make good choices, sometimes we are tempted. We are Make friends tempted to act in ways that hurt ourselves or other people. When we turn away from God’s laws, we sin. Sin hurts our friendship with God. Every time we sin, we hurt our with Jesus friendship with God and with others. Jesus always loves us, even if we sin. Jesus looks into our hearts. He sees that we are good. If we do something wrong and we are sorry, Jesus forgives us. Jesus gives us this Lent another chance.

Jesus Forgives Our Sins Jesus wants to forgive our sins. We come to Jesus for forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this sacrament, we confess our sins to a priest. He forgives us in Jesus’ name. The grace we have lost is given back to us.

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus comforts us. He strengthens us on our journey. We are reconciled with God, with the Church, and with the people we have hurt. Through this sacrament the Church celebrates Jesus’ gift of forgiveness. Courtesy of www.lancasterdiocese.org 16 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2012 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

ecently 2 members of the Preston Knights of St Columba Rwere presented with their 50 year service medals. The first presentation was by Ernest Gilleade (Past Provincial Grand Knight) to Brother Tom Hooper who had been Grand Knight and Social Secretary and Provincial Social Secretary. Brother Tom is now in a nursing home he has been an active member of the order.

The second presentation was to Brother Frank Gillett and his presentation was made during Mass at The Blessed Sacrament, Preston were he still serves on the alter. Brother Frank has been Knights Honoured the Provincial Youth Officer and has been Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Social Secretary; Membership Officer and the Youth Officer. He has also been the Provincial Youth Officer. He is still active for the Council and coordinates the delivering of the Catholic Voice for the Preston Churches. At the same time Fr Norman Johnson was also given a cheque to mark his 40 years as a priest.

If any gentleman is interested in joining the Knights they can contact Philip Wilcock on 01772 316962. Catenian’s celebrate Burn’s Night

arstang Catenians celebrated their Gannual Burns Night Supper at the Garstang Country Hotel following the January meeting, when members, together with members from other Circles' in Province, joined their ladies for the celebrations.

After an excellent supper of thick Scotch broth, Haggis, tatties and neeps (with a tot of whisky) apple pie and cream or ice cream, coffeee, Pipe Major Lyell regaled his audience with several popular Scottish tunes. Tom Rigby

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