SCO EXCLUSIVE. Religious Bishop Keenan on freedom group the World Meeting launched in the of Families. Scottish Parlia- Page 7 SUPPORTING 50 YEARS OF SCIAF, 1965-2015 ment. Page 3
No 5641 VISIT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER ONLINE AT WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK Friday October 9 2015 | £1
By Ian Dunn I UK Government to fund Synod not MARY’S Meals has been awarded match the Feed our match funding by the UK Government pandering to for a special three month appeal in a Future campaign move that will double donations passing fads made to the charity founded in Scotland and named after Our Lady. POPE Francis told the During the charity’s Feed Our Future Synod of Bishops on the appeal, which runs until 28 December Family to remain open in 2015, the UK Government will double deliberations on pastoral all personal donations made by UK care to the call of the Holy residents, up to £5 million. Spirit, repeating his frequent assertion that God Campaign is a God of surprises. Mary’s Meals’Feed Our Future campaign The synod began at the aims to extend the charity’s successful Vatican this week with Scotland feeding programmes to more hungry represented by Archbishop children across Malawi and Zambia. Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, It comes at the end of a great year for president of the Bishops’ the charity that gives children in some of Conference of Scotland. the world’s poorest countries a nutritious In his opening address of the meal at school. In May the charity three-week event on Monday, announced that it had reached the the Pope underlined it was not milestone of feeding one million children a parliament where participants every school day in countries around the will negotiate or lobby for world. The Shed That Fed a Million changes to Church teaching, Children book by Magnus MacFarlane- but it must be a place of prayer. Barrow (right standing), the founder and Among the issues that have CEO of Mary’s Meals, also became a been discussed in the synod’s Sunday Times bestseller this year. first days are considerations of The charity has been praised for its low Mary’s Meals donations doubled Catholics who have been cost approach, which sees 93p of every £1 divorced and remarried without spent directly on charitable activities and This will allow Mary’s Meals to extend believe that our vision can be achieved ‘text to donate’ code, as well as Mary’s annulments, and the treatment the cost to feed a child for a whole its school feeding operations in both in this world of plenty, where there is Meals posters and stickers, urging of homosexual Catholics. school year set at just £12.20 since 2014. Malawi and Zambia where 108,818 hungry enough food for everyone.” the public to donate while gifts are being French Cardinal André Vingt children have already been identified in Mr McFarlane Barrow said it was doubled, to help feed more hungry -Trois, a delegate president of Aid great need of help. With the funding amazing that Mary’s Meals was already children with a nutritious meal in the synod, said on Monday The UK Aid fund-matching grant from boost from the government, it is hoped ‘reaching more than one million children school. Stagecoach will match-fund that if someone had come to the UK Government means that a single the Feed Our Future appeal can raise with feeding programmes across four customer and employee donations up to Rome looking ‘for a spectacular donation of £12.20 made between enough to reach all of those children. continents, but with 59 million children £100,000. change in the Church’s doctrine September 28 and December 28 2015, Mr McFarlane Barrow said the match still out of school and chronically hungry, Sir Brian Souter (above), Stagecoach you will be disappointed.’ will significantly feed not one, but two funding was ‘just brilliant news.’ we believe our work has just begun.’ Group chairman and co-founder, said he This was reiterated in children for a whole school year. “As a charity we very much rely on was delighted to get involved. International Scotland by Archbishop Leo grassroots donations from individuals Support Development Secretary Justine Greening Cushley of St Andrews and and groups doing what they can, so to The Feed Our Future appeal has also said ‘investment in children is an investment Edinburgh. have all these generous gifts from across received significant support from transport in the future of Africa.’ the UK doubled for the next three operator Stagecoach Group. The I Continued on page 7 months is just amazing,” he said. “Our company will help advertise the Feed I Visit https://www.marysmeals.org.uk; vision is that every child should be able Our Future campaign across the UK. call 01838 200605 or write to Mary’s I Family meeting in to receive one good meal every day in a Buses on more than 150 routes across Meals, Craig Lodge, Dalmally, Argyll, Edinburgh, page 2; More on place of education. Working together Scotland, North West England, and PA33 1AR synod, pages 6-7 with people who share our ideals, we Southern England will carry a special I [email protected]
SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected]
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By Daniel Harkins parents was ‘irreplaceable to me and my brothers and sisters.’ PARENTS from across Scotland Asking parents to persevere through gathered in the St Francis Xavier the difficulties of passing on the life of Centre in Carfin last Saturday to faith to children, he said that by doing discuss This Is Our Faith, the syl- so they were ‘giving them a treasure labus for Catholic religious educa- which they will never exhaust and tion in Scotland. which will bring them friendship with At the assembly, parents were pro- God, a great love for all people, and vided with some information about This peace in their hearts.’ Is Our Faith and its purpose in directing “At times the life of faith may be a what is taught through religious educa- struggle but your children will bless you tion in Scotland’s Catholic schools. for the gift you have given them, the They were asked to reflect on what unsurpassable gift of knowing Our Lord they as parents can do to support chil- Jesus Christ, who is the true light for dren and young people in their Faith our lives,” he added. learning in school and were asked to The archbishop also commended give their views on a draft resource This is Our Faith and said it ‘helps your which is being developed by parents, children engage more fully with the for parents, to help them make sense of Catholic faith by stage-appropriate This Is Our Faith. learning, experience, worship, prayer Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glas- and personal reflection.’ gow, president of the Scottish Catholic Michael McGrath, director of the Scot- Education Service, was unable to attend tish Catholic Education Service (SCES), Catholic schools and parishes to link their Working Group will now finalise the SCES website. as he was taking part in the synod on the said the responses received were ‘very websites to that of SCES, which hosts RE first in a series of publications for par- family in Rome, but sent a message say- positive and encouraging’ and that resources and information. ents which will be made available I [email protected] ing the Faith and example of his own amongst suggestions made was one for The SCES Parental Involvement through schools, parishes and on the PIC: TOM EADIE
Fr James Crampsey, Superior of the Jesuit community at Sacred Heart in Edinburgh, gave this year’s Gillis Lecture last week on Pope Francis and his Jesuit legacy. The lecture is held every year and is organised by the Heritage and Arts Commission of St Andrews and Edinburgh Archdiocese. Pope Francis joined the Jesuits in the 1950s and has said he joined because he was ‘attracted to its position on, to put it in military terms, the front lines of the church, grounded in obedience and discipline’ PIC: PAUL McSHERRY PICS: PAUL McSHERRY Family in focus at Edinburgh gathering SPOTLIGHT ON
THE Lauriston Jesuit Centre in “It is something that comes to us problem to have.” Edinburgh was packed last Sat- from the way that God made us,” he Patricia Carroll, director of pas- urday for St Andrews and Edin- said, “Marriage is the most natural toral resources for the archdiocese, burgh Archdiocese’s family life state in the world. It is the nucleus said that some of the issues raised conference. of human society. It gives order and were already being addressed by The Vocation and Mission of it gives a confident centre to our God’s Loving Plan, the new syllabus Today’s Family conference, timed to lives in order to nurture that most for relationships education in coincide with the beginning of the important thing which is our young, Catholic primary schools. Synod on the theme of the family in our children. “It’s all about the human person Rome, began with Mass and contin- “Marriage gives children a loving, as made in the image and likeness of ued with a series of talks on a range stable, constant future and we all God and it’s a massive way forward of issues from marriage preparation know the consequences of having for us for educating parents into how to how parents deal with the sexual- that—and the consequences of not they teach the children about rela- isation of society. having that.” tionships,” she said. The opening presentation was “I’m really, really pleased,” Sally Speakers at the event included Fr delivered by Archbishop Leo Cush- McElroy, marriage and family life Kenneth Owens, parish priest of a ley who explained that marriage is coordinator for the archdiocese and number of parishes in Livingston. ‘a natural state that precedes the organiser of the conference, said on “We do a lot of preparation for existence of any state’ and even the day. “It’s a great turnout. I marriage but this is for couples who ‘precedes the existence of the think we may have to find extra are already married and want to Church.’ chairs—but that’s always a good enrich their marriage,” he said.
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WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER NEWS 3 New group to promote religious freedom By Ian Dunn
A NEW cross-party group to promote religious freedom has been formed at the Scottish Parliament just asAid to the Church in Need prepares to launch its latest report into religious persecution. The group was spearheaded by Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch SNP MSP Dave Thompson, who secured permission from the Scottish Parliament’s standards, procedures and public appointments committee last Thursday and will serve as Midwife receives a standing the group’s convener. Mr Thompson said the group was intended to give MSPs a ovation at SPUC conference ’platform to foster respect and tolerance in our communities and will consider issues John Deighan of SPUC Scotland GLASGOW Catholic midwife pictured alongside speakers from all faiths and none and will do so at Mary Duggan received a Margaret Cuthill, Peter Smith, a local, national and international level. I standing ovation at the Rachel Munro, Calum MacKellar look forward to working with and inviting annual SPUC Scotland and Rachel McKenzie at the recent the broadest range of religious groups and conference on Saturday. SPUC Scotland conference in the other interested societies, to ensure the Delegates warmly received Mercure Hotel in Glasgow widest possible representation.’ the midwife—one of two who PIC: PAUL McSHERRY Other MSPs who have joined the group fought a long legal battle areAnn McTaggart of Labour, Murdo Fraser against Greater Glasgow and were all trained before hand so of the Conservatives, John Mason of the Clyde Health board to avoid they knew how to respond in a SNP and Michael McMahon of Labour. being forced into participating gentle, effective way to doctors The new group also has the support of in abortions.John Deighan of and even women who had had the charity ACN, which gave funding to SPUC Scotland said it was the abortions. Just really good to see help set it up. Lorraine McMahon, head highlight of a fantastic event. young people out there making of operations in Scotland for ACN, said it Faith 2013-15—assessing the situation in 22 the Church in Need project partner Fr Ziad “It went really well,” he said. this case.” was a very welcome development. countries where there are grave violations Hilal who has provided emergency help in “Really good turnout, excellent Mr Deighan said the “Religious freedom is a right and a of religious freedom including physical Homs, Syria. speakers and we really covered conference had also explored responsibility that involves everybody in attacks, kidnappings and murders. Also speaking will be Iraqi priest Fr a whole spectrum of issues.” ‘the culture of death’ and the society,” she said. “Our hope for the CPG Persecuted and Forgotten? 2013-15 will Douglas Bazi who survived torture by Al Mr Deighan singled out a mindset that underpins it. is Scotland’s key decision makers are be presented at St Mary’s Cathedral Qaeda extremists and who is coordinating presentation by on the recent “Increasingly scientists can made more fully aware of the scale and Aberdeen on Thursday October 15. ACN aid for refugees in the north of the roadshow that took young pro easily modify the embryo at extent of religious persecution and to The event begins with Mass at 7pm country. Aid to the Church in Need UK life activists around Scotland as single cell stage,” he said. empower our politicians with the most celebrated by Bishop Hugh Gilbert of National Director Neville Kyrke-Smith being particularly inspiring. “That’s the latest challenge current information to take action.” Aberdeen. At the event that follows, and Ms McMahon will also speak on “These young [people] got a we are facing, that seems to be Next week ACN will release a new speakers include teenager Victoria the day. really good response on the underpinned by eugenics, and report—Persecuted and Forgotten? A Youhanna, who escaped Boko Haram streets all over Scotland,” he destroying one person to create Report on Christians oppressed for their militants in northern Nigeria and Aid to I [email protected] said. “It was very positive. They another.” SNP MSP says controversial anti-bigotry law isn’t working
AN SNP MSP has privately should be taken to the Offensive voted for the law, replied: “My sectarianism,” he added. “For said the party’s controversial Behaviour at Football and personal opinion is that the act me however there are other anti-bigotry law isn’t working. Threatening Communications is too wide sweeping in its approaches we should take. A Central Scotland list MSP, Act (OBFA) of 2012. approach and doesn’t work in lot of the issues are deep rooted, Richard Lyle, said that the law His comments were made to practice as well as it should or generational and societal.” banning sectarian songs at fellow SNP members in the could have. Legislation isn’t This week, campaigning group football games was ‘too summer in an online SNP always the answer to questions Fans Against Criminalisation sweeping,’ didn’t work as discussion, the contents of over problems within our society. (FAC) submitted a petition intended, and legislation was which have been leaked. “There can be no denying that carrying around 9000 not always the answer to such Asked about the OBFA by here in Scotland and in the west signatures to the Scottish social problems. North Lanarkshire councillor in particular we have a significant Parliament, calling for the He said ‘other approaches’ Steven Bonnar, Mr Lyle, who and long-term problem with repeal of the OBFA.
JOE WALSH TOURS LOURDES PILGRIMAGE SPECIALISTS SINCE 1961 Glasgow Archdiocese’s Arts 2016 CEBU, PHILIPPINES 51ST51ST INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTICEUCHARISTIC CONGRESSCONGRESS £ in Autumn programme begins 21 JANUARY | 10 NIGHTS from AGAP’s Autumn and Lenten arts From London Heathrow £1,8951,895pp GLASGOW Archdiocese’s projects have featured some » IEC2016 Registration package annual Arts in Autumn wonderful contributions, such as » 5HWXUQÀLJKWVIURP /RQGRQ WR &HEX YLD +RQJ .RQJ programme began on this painting (above) entitled The » $LUSRUWWUDQVIHUV ZLWK (QJOLVKVSHDNLQJJXLGH Wednesday with a special Life Boat, painted by John Sheridan » QLJKWV KRWHO DFFRPPRGDWLRQ EUHDNIDVW GLQQHU event to mark the opening of » 'DLO\VKXWWOHVHUYLFHWRFRQJUHVV YHQXHV 14 MAYMAAYY - 7 NIGHTS NIGHTS 14 MAYMAAYY - 7 NIGHTNIGHTSS » +DOI GD\ H[FXUVLRQZLWKGLQQHUDWORFDOUHVWDXUDQW John Cairney’s The Marian FULL BOARDBOARD DEPARTSDEPARTSB BYYC COACHOACH & Way exhibition in St Patrick’s, Finally,from October 29,AGAP RETURNS BYBY FLIGHT REGISTRATION PACKAGE ReturnReturn Flights from from Glasgow Glasgow JOIN Anderston. Theatre will be touring with a » $FFHVVWRDOOVHVVLRQV ZRUNVKRSV H[KLELWV THE 3 SStartar HotHotelel Near TThehe LLourdesourdes GrGrottootto 1 Night In ParisParis (Rue De BacBac)) DELEGA The exhibition of seven brand new comedy production + 1 Night In NeNeversvers $FFHVV WR DOO &RQJUHVV HYHQWV &KXUFK YLVLWV TION FreeFree Excursions Excursions In LourdesLourdes » paintings and meditations called Wilderness, written and ((ConventConvent WWithith SStt BernadettBernadette)e) FRQFHUWV VSHFLDO +HULWDJH QLJKW Fully EscortedEscorted 5 Nights Full BoarBoardd In LLourdesourdes inspired by the life of the Virgin directed by Stephen Callaghan 3 SStartar HotHotelel Near TThehe LLourdesourdes GrGrottootto » 2I¿FLDO WUDQVSRUW WR IURP &RQJUHVV YHQXHV » 6SHFLDO 3LOJULPSDFN Mary runs until October 28 and (for more see next week’s SCO). FrFreeee ExExcursionscursions In LLourdesourdes is open daily. Through the everyday lives of Fully EscEscortedorted » /XQFK YRXFKHU IRU GD\V
On Sunday October 25, there ordinary parishioners facing FROM PER PERSON FROM PER PERSON is a special visiting event at St their own test, this play asks us ONLONLYLYY £699£699 ONLONLYLYY £619£619 Andrew’s Cathedral to mark the to consider what really makes a FORFOR MORE INFORMATION INFORMATION CCONTACTONTACT ANTHONYANTHONY,Y,, MARK OR MARGARETMARGARETANNEANNE Joe WaWalshlsh ToToursurs | Glasgow Tel: 0141 530 5060 200th anniversary of the birth of parish and what can tear it apart. www.joewalshtours.co.uk | [email protected] 58 StoresStores St Don John Bosco with a I For more information visit 01410141 435435 775077550 NationwideNationwide Follow us: Joe Walsh Tours Pilgrimages @JWTPilgrimages theatre production by visiting www.agap.org.uk TermsTerms and conditions conditions apply Bonded and Licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK | ATOL 5163 company, RISE, at 3pm. WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 4 SCHOOLS/LOCAL NEWS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015
St Ninian’s High School in show of solidarity with persecuted Christians
By Daniel Harkins programme was officially pupils in the Lanarkshire town. launched with a youth rally in “They are learning about the ST NINIAN’S High School Carfin Grotto that saw more persecuted Church but also as in Giffnock has become one than 1000 pupils from Scotland’s individuals they learn leadership of the latest schools to sign Catholic schools gather to hear skills and presentation skills up to Aid to the Church in talks on persecution, and the and work on how they can Need’s campaign to show causes of persecution, in the share that,” he said, adding that solidarity with persecuted Middle East and Africa. St Ninian’s had shown a Christians around the world. During the service at St ‘wonderful act of solidarity,’ in In total, 28 secondary Ninian’s, headteacher John standing with those persecuted schools across Scotland have Docherty encouraged the pupils because of their faith. signed up to the campaign to be earnest and committed in Lorraine McMahon, ACN’s which aims to educate school their support to ACN and said head of operations in Scotland, pupils about global citizenship, the charity’s work was ‘so said St Ninian’s ‘has been a human rights and persecution. important in a world where those friend and supporter of ACN Lorraine McMahon, head holding religious belief are for some time.’ of operations in Scotland, regularly and actively persecuted.’ “We look forward to and Michael Robinson, Later this year, ACN will providing opportunities for St communications executive, lead a series of workshops with Ninian’s and all of Scotland’s visited St Ninian’s and spoke to S3 classes as part of the school’s Catholic schools to pray, learn the pupils about the charity’s Faith Leadership Programme. and take action for and in work and S3 pupils led their S3 pupils will be encouraged to support of persecuted Christians,” younger counterparts in a work with younger pupils and she added. service of solidarity. to introduce them to the work Pictured above are headteacher Aid to the Church in Need of Aid to the Church in Need. John Docherty, head of second (ACN) is a Pontifical Foundation Michael Robinson said such year Mr McGeehan, and Lorraine of the Catholic Church, workshops would be used in McMahon and Michael Robinson supporting the Catholic faithful other schools, with Caritas from ACN receiving a cheque Dunkeld celebrates and others where they are pupils in St Ambrose High for £500 from S2 pupils Sarah persecuted, oppressed or in School in Coatbridge already Holmes and Rhona Mowat. By Daniel Harkins diaconate eight years ago, studying at the Maryvale pastoral need. keen to spread what they have Institute Catholic College in Birmingham, and The schools solidarity learned to primary school I [email protected] DUNKELD Catholics celebrated their Mass achieving diplomas in theology. for vocations this year with the ordination With Bishop Emeritus Logan retiring, the of a deacon who concluded a marathon deacon waited along with Dunkeld parishioners eight-year formation journey surrounded by for the appointment of Bishop Robson and his his friends and family. subsequent ordination, in the mean time studying Deacon Ron Wylie, a parishioner of St Joseph’s for a degree in divinity and ecclesiastical studies, in Dundee, was ordained by Bishop Stephen validated by Notre Dame University in Paris. Robson to the permanent diaconate in a packed A grandfather himself, Deacon Wylie has also St Andrew’s Cathedral last Saturday. been active in the Catholic Grandparents In a message before the Mass, the deacon Association, being appointed by Bishop Robson thanked his wife Helen and his family for their to head up the body in the diocese and overseeing support and encouragement as well as Bishop a growing membership of 110. Robson, who celebrated Mass on the day, Bishop Speaking after his ordination, the new deacon Emeritus Vincent Logan, under whom Deacon said the day was a fabulous occasion and stressed Wylie began formation, and priests and parishioners the importance of his family’s support during the of the diocese. process. Having served Mass for the first time as Deacon Wylie began his journey to the permanent a deacon last weekend in Our Lady of Sorrows in Motherwell bids a final farewell to the late Canon James Foley
MOTHERWELL Diocese lined Dundyvan Road and said goodbye to a much- amongst the pallbearers was respected, much loved priest former Coatbridge, Chryston Golden day for St Michael’s Primary School with a funeral Mass in St and Bellshill MP Tom Clarke. Augustine’s in Coatbridge. Canon Foley was ordained in ST MICHAEL’S Primary doors in 1965. Originally sited Johnstone footballer Michael Bishop Joseph Toal was 1955 and studied in Rome and School marked a half-century in the Bridgend area of the town, O’Halloran both attended the the principal celebrant at the Jerusalem. He had a passion for of educating children in it moved to its present building schools Ms Greechan said, and requiem Mass for Canon James language and the study of the Moodiesburn with a celebration on December 19 1979. two priests, Fr James Bonner Foley, who died in St Augustine’s scriptures, and began his service of Mass with pupils and staff. Headteacher Karen Greechan and Fr Harry O’Brien, took early Presbytery, Coatbridge, on as a parish priest in St Mary’s, Children from the school were said the school has grown a great religious instruction at the school. September 23. Coatbridge, in 1977. From joined by former headteachers, deal since its early days, with a Pictured above are pupils A procession (right) left the 1985 until 2014, he was parish parish priest Fr Michael Briody current roll of more than 300 with Bishop Toal, Fr Briody, chapel house lead by St priest in St Augustine’s, retiring and Bishop Joseph Toal of pupils, and she highlighted a headteacher Ms Greechan and Augustine’s administrator Fr on November 1 last year. Motherwell for the golden number of famous alumni. former headteachers Maureen Michael Kane and assistant He celebrated his diamond jubilee anniversary. Scottish Cup winning Hearts Trainer and Ann Donaldson. priest Fr James Travers. Pupils jubilee on March 19 of this St Michaels first opened its footballer Darren Barr and St PIC: PAUL McSHERRY from St Ambrose High School year, the Feast of St Joseph. PIC TOM EADIE WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER SCHOOLS/LOCAL NEWS 5
Our Lady of Guadalupe relic image to go on display at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow
A RELIC image of Our Lady under the care of the Knights of knight of the Knights of St St Columba. Columba, met recently with Deacon Ron Wylie’s ordination of Guadalupe will come to (above) is something that was not St Andrew’s Cathedral in The evening begins with Andrew Hinde, national co- only a cause for celebration for Glasgow at the end of this Solemn Mass at 5.15pm and is ordinator of the Guardians of himself, but also his wife Helen month as the archdiocese then followed by the Service of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in St (above right) and many members holds its annual torchlight Reception at 6.30 pm. There will Alphonsus Church House in of his family (right) procession for life. be the opportunity for personal Calton, Glasgow, to formally ABOVE & RIGHT PIC: EDDIE The Basilica of Our Lady of veneration, until the cathedral sign the agreement. MAHONEY Guadalupe in Mexico City is the closes. “So it gives me great pleasure most visited Catholic site in the During the following five to come here with Charlie world. The painting of Our Lady days, the miraculous relic image tonight to sign this agreement miraculously appeared to St will be sited in the devotional and to share the wonderful Juan Diego in the 16th century, area from 8.30am until the experiences that I have had diaconate ordination and has since then become a cathedral closes at 7pm. while we have been on the symbol of the pro-life cause. The annual torch lit Procession pilgrimage tour,” Mr Hinde said. In 2004, Cardinal Norberto for Life will take place from Mr McCluskey said it is a Dundee and later his home parish of St Joseph’s, Turning to the diaconate, he spoke about how Rivera Carrera of Mexico City Glasgow city centre to the ‘wonderful thing’ to be partners the deacon said he was on cloud nine. ‘the deacon is configured to the image of Christ’s commissioned 220 relic images cathedral on Thursday, October in the pilgrimage. “I am inspired “It was good yesterday in my own parish, I was servant as best exemplified by the Gospel of the to be produced and spread 29, after which the life Mass of and am sure that we can build on just on cloud nine from the night before and I’m last supper when Christ washed the servants’feet.’ throughout the world, with one Our Lady of Guadalupe and the the already fruitful co-operation just coming down to earth now,” he said. “It was After the Mass, Deacon Hendry said that the housed in Bedford in England. service of return will begin that exists between the Guardians such an amazing experience; the Mass itself and day went very well and that Deacon Wylie was On October 24, this relic at 7.30pm. and the Knights of St Columba,” the liturgy at the vocations Mass was incredible.” ‘understandably nervous’ but delighted with how image will come to St Andrew’s Charlie McCluskey, supreme he added. The homily during the vocations Mass was things went. given by Deacon Charles Hendry, national director Dunkeld currently has five deacons in active for the permanent diaconate. He spoke about the ministry, down from 11 at its peak, with one importance of vocations; the vocations to student currently in formation. Deacon Wylie has SPOTLIGHT ON marriage and family life—in light of the ongoing now been appointed to the parishes of St Pius and synod in Rome—and the vocation to work and Our Lady of Sorrows, two parishes served by Fr how by living out that vocation we can bring the James Walls. light of Christ to the workplace. He spoke on the Following the ordination, a reception was held vocation to consecrated life and emphasised the in Bonar Hall with African nuns from the diocesan ‘paramountcy of vocations to the priesthood centre providing drum music. because without priests we have no Eucharist, no reconciliation, no anointing of the sick.’ I [email protected]
Children living in poverty abroad will soon receive some new school supplies thanks to fundraising work from parishioners at St Bride’s Church in Monifieth. Organiser Ann Cairnie lead the parishioners in their efforts, collecting books, pencils and notepads which were packed into 107 bags for charity Mary’s Meals. Ms Cairnie said she hoped their efforts would benefit children helped by the charity. The fundraisers are pictured above with parish priest Fr Michael Carrie PIC: EDDIE MAHONEY
WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 6 WORLD/VATICAN NEWS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 First few days of synod set
By Stephen Reilly
FOLLOWING Sunday’s opening Mass, Pope Francis began the Synod on the Fam- ily on Monday by urging participants to be open to the Holy Spirit and seek ‘apostolic courage’ against worldly temptations that can lead people away from the truth. “The synod is not a conference or a parlor, nor is it a parliament or a senate where we come to an agreement,” the Pope said. Rather, it is the Church journeying together ‘to interpret reality with the eyes of faith and the heart of God.’ Addressing the synod fathers on the first day of interventions of the three-week gathering, the Pope said participants must ‘assume apostolic courage of evangelical humility and of confident prayer’ in order to give the Holy Spirit space to carry out his actions. Such ‘apostolic courage,’ he said, ‘is not intimidated by the seductions of the world which tend to put out the light of truth from the hearts of men,’ thereby leading them away from God. Pope Francis went on to say that unless the bishops open themselves to guidance by the Holy Spirit, their decisions will become mere ‘decorations’ which serve to ‘cover and Syria bombarded by ‘world war’ tactics? hide’ the Gospel, rather than glorify it. This year’s Synod on the Family, which runs until October 25, is the second and larger of two such Syrian Bishop believes Russian gatherings to take place in the course of a year. A SYRIAN bishop has airstrike proves that the US is reacted strongly to a US sena- involved with Islamic militants Like its 2014 precursor, the focus of the 2015 tor’s claim that Russian Synod of Bishops will be the family, this time planes are bombing (above) with the theme: The vocation and mission of the US-backed rebel forces, say- ing and tragic. For Iraq, this has family in the Church and the modern world. good of the Church, and the salus animarum (sal- ing that Senator John been happening for two genera- Pope Francis’ address to participants gathered vation of souls).’ McCain’s statement is ‘a bla- tions,” he said. “For Syria, the in the Vatican's Paul VI Synod hall continued to Observers expecting the family synod to result tant admission’ of US war has been taking place for the describe the role of the Synod as the Church in a ‘spectacular change’ of Church doctrine will involvement with Islamic last three years, with no hope on interrogating her own fidelity to the deposit of be disappointed, a senior cardinal has said. militants. the horizon for Christians in the faith. In this way, he said, the Church demon- Speaking at a Vatican press conference on Mon- Archbishop Jacques Behnan area.” strates that she is not simply a ‘museum’ to be day, Cardinal André Vingt-Trois said: “If you Hindo (right) said that Russian Patriarch Younan described the looked at, but ‘a living source from which the have come to Rome with the idea that you are air strikes were targeted against destruction of churches, the traf- Church drinks, while ‘satisfying the thirst’ and going to witness a spectacular change in Church positions held by Islamic mili- dox Church has given its support ficking of women and girls as ‘illuminating the deposit of life.’ doctrine, you are going to be disappointed. tants. He went on to say that to the campaign against ISIS, sex slaves, and the forced con- The Holy Spirit speaks through the many lan- McCain’s statement reflects the which has murdered and kid- version of Christians to Islam. guages represented by the Synod Fathers open to If you have come to ‘Western propaganda’ that the napped hundreds of Christians, “The crisis is evolving into being ‘guided by the God who always surprises’, Rome with the idea that US has been providing support as well as Muslims and Yazidis. more killings, more hostages and the Pope said. for ‘moderate rebels, who do not Meanwhile, Iraq’s Syriac a struggle with no end in sight,” He also appealed for the participants to have you are going to wit- exist.’ Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III he said. “We’ve been through an evangelical humility whereby they empty ness a spectacular The admission of US support Younan made a plea to Western these struggles for 14 months, themselves of their ‘own conventions and preju- change in Church doc- for Islamic radicals is disturbing, Christians to save his people, since the fall of Mosul on June dices’, listen to one another, without judgments, the archbishop said. “What does warning of a crisis of biblical 10, 2014. Since then, all the finger pointing, or a sense of superiority. trine, you are going to it mean?” he asked. “Al Qaida is proportions, reports Catholic Christian communities in north- The Pope concluded by reiterating that the be disappointed. now a US ally, just because in News Service. ern Iraq have been wiped out. We function of the synod is not to arrive at a con- “ Syria it has a different name?” The patriarch made his plea are begging the West to stand for sensus, nor is it a place of negotiations, agree- Last week Russia escalated its during a trip to Michigan late last the rights of all citizens in Iraq ments, or compromises. Through apostolic “Nor do you need a synod to work that out. All intervention into Syria on the month, which is home to one of and Syria, the West can’t be just courage, evangelical humility, and trustful you have to do is listen to the Pope’s homilies on side of the Bashar al-Assad gov- the largest Chaldean Catholic about introducing democracy prayer, he said, may the Holy Spirit ‘guide us, the family, week after week at his Wednesday ernment, attacking rebel groups communities outside the Middle when you have a majority of illuminate us, and cause us to put before our eyes public audiences.” in the north-west of the country, East. Muslims who don’t want a sepa- with our personal opinions, faith in God, the The cardinal is the Archbishop of Paris and as well as ISIS. Russia’s Ortho- “The situation is very devastat- ration of church and state.” ”
NEWS ROUNDUP spirituality of the order. The commitment of the Church with Comboni missionaries are ‘ser- families and for families, so that SPOTLIGHT ON vants and messengers of the the Creator’s original plan for Church helps DR Gospel,’ the Pope said. “In the man and woman be implemented Congo refugees People take part in a candlelit Word of God there is the wis- and may operate in today's world, vigil following a mass shooting CATHOLIC parishes and other dom that comes from above, and in all its beauty and its strength.’ at Umpqua Community College institutions are sheltering at least that enables us to find the lan- Recalling that spouses in Roseburg, Oregon in the US. 5000 persons displaced by guages, approaches and tools ‘participate in the creative power Portland Archbishop Alexander renewed fighting in the Central suited to responding to the chal- of God’ and share in God’s love K Sample rushed a letter to the African Republic, according to lenges of a changing humanity.” through the Holy Spirit, Pope people of Roseburg hours after L’Osservatore Romano. Pope The Pope said that he hoped the Francis prayed ‘that all parents the shooting. Francis is scheduled to visit the general chapter of the Comboni and educators in the world, as “I am saddened beyond words nation in November. Likely missionaries would help the well as all of society, are made over the tragedy that has referring to UN peacekeepers, order to ‘continually rediscover instruments of that acceptance struck your local community,” Archbishop Dieu-donné Nza- its great heritage of spirituality and love with which Jesus the archbishop writes. palainga of Bangui, the nation’s and missionary activity.’ embraces the little ones.’ “Even though I am unable to leading prelate, said that ‘the “He looks into their hearts be physically present with you international community that Eyes fixed on with tenderness and solicitude of at this particular moment, works here’ seems ‘passive or Jesus at synod a father and a mother at the same know that I am very much incapable.’ IN LAST Sunday’s Angelus time,” the Pope added. united with all of you in spirit address, Pope Francis said that “I think of so many children and in prayer. We are one body in Christ, and when even one Pope praises participants in the Synod of that are hungry, abandoned, missionaries member suffers, we all suffer Bishops will ‘keep our eyes exploited, forced into the war, with them. My heart is indeed SPEAKING on October 1 to fixed on Jesus’ in order to ‘find, refused. It is painful to see very heavy with sorrow as I Comboni missionaries, who on the basis of his teaching of images of children that are grieve with all of you” were in Rome for their general truth and mercy, the most unhappy, looking lost, fleeing chapter, Pope Francis praised the appropriate ways for adequate from poverty and conflicts.” WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER WORLD/VATICAN NEWS 7 World Meeting of Families was an eye tone for pastoral reflection opener for Bishop Keenan of Paisley
By Ian Dunn I think that comes from St John SCO exclusive Paul II... but from Francis it comes across as lived experi- For Bishop John Keenan of ence.” Paisley, seeing Pope Francis On thing that did surprise the at the World Meeting of Fam- bishop was that the Pope did not ilies in Philadelphia was an tackle some of the more political eye opener. issues head on. “The final homily the Pope “He didn’t talk about gay mar- gave to more than a million peo- riage and abortion so directly,” he ple,” Bishop Keenan (right) said said. “It was surprising calm and of the WMF 2015 upon his non contentious. But then the return. “And afterwards I thought immigration and those with dif- contrast between him and the that was more relevant to them ferent views. More fundamental politicians was so marked, his than any homily I’ve given to my than political values.” humanity shines through. I think own parish!” The festival of families was that’s one of the things that’s so As the leader of the first Scot- ‘wonderful’the bishop said, see- powerful about him, that he tish delegation to the WMF, for ing how he listened to ‘different speaks as if he’s still a parish Bishop Keenan the whole week- families about their experience,’ priest, as if he hasn’t realised his end was ‘truly amazing.’“It does then at the meeting of the bishops pope, So people are over- seem Pope Francis took the US the focus was ‘pastoral care for whelmed by how down to earth by storm,” he said. “Although he the family who to be close to he is.” said the American’s were very them.’ Coming back to Scotland, welcoming and we absolutely Bishop Keenan said he was Bishop Keenan said he was found that to be the case. People very struck by the Pope’s per- struck by the Pope’s urging to would stop me on the street and sonal style. “The way the Pope help build the family up wherever say ‘God Bless you’. There was a speaks is very endearing, very it is. “The idea that just get fami- great atmosphere of welcome.’ avuncular,” he said. “He always lies are about loving concern res- Bishop Keenan had four speaks kindly, encouragingly. He onated,” he said. “The Pope encounters with Pope Francis never seems like a moralist or didn’t speak so much about the during the trip. On the Saturday teacher but rather as a father. religious side of things but he was at the independence hall When he spoke to the bishops I instead the human side. He speech on religious freedom, that was 50 yards away and it was speaks about families speaks so evening at the festival of families, soft words from a soft heart.” realistically, he understands fam- A family walks away after presenting the offertory gifts the next day he was part of an The bishop said seeing the ily life behind closed doors. And to Pope Francis during the opening Mass of the Synod audience of bishops that met with Pope speak he was reminded of he is our values aren’t ‘religious’ of Bishops on the family in St. Peter's Basilica at the We are partners made him and finally at the closing ‘the shepherd that smells of the they are human, so before you Vatican in the image of God Mass at St Francis boulevard. sheep.’ “I think he has great con- can build up the family in their “At independence hall he fidence in the fundamental faith you have to build them up one of four delegate presidents at the synod. His I Continued from page 1 spoke about peace and immigra- Gospel values,” he said. “And as a family, who love each other. comments were echoed by Archbishop Bruno tion and religious freedom,” he everything else flow from that. And the power of that is that can Forte, the synod’s special secretary, who added On Sunday on a visit to St Dominic’s in said. “He appealed for America You know if [we] get the family reach people everywhere. Every- that the media wrongly presented bishops as Torrance, Archbishop Cushley reiterated to be open to the stranger of right the world will sort itself out. one who is in a family.” divided into two parties. that marriage had to be understood as “We are pastors, filled with faith, open to being a union between man and woman. God,” he said. “The point of it is the profound truth At the press conference synod rapporteur Car- that we are partners and that all of us, dinal Péter Erdő defended his comments about men and women, are made in the image THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES - CARFIN Communion for the remarried in his opening and likeness of God,” he said. address at the synod. In his address Cardinal “We are made to serve God, we are Erdo had said: “The integration of the divorced made to love each other and we are made and remarried in the life of the ecclesial commu- by God in a particular way—and I think nity can take many forms, [but it] is different that is the core truth as we listen to such a from admission to the Eucharist.” beautiful, poetic reading. Cardinal Erdo told reporters that for the “It is therefore our duty and our honour divorced and civilly remarried ‘it is not failure of to behave worthily of having been cre- first marriage, but living in a second union that ated by God and loved into existence prevents access to Eucharist.’ by him.” Cardinal Erdo emphasised that marriage was On Tuesday synod participants broke indissoluble. ‘God offers forgiveness to sinners, into smaller discussion groups. but asks for conversion,’ he said.
Monsignor admits being in SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER 7pm a homosexual partnership ON THE eve of the opening irresponsible, since it aims to sub- of the family synod, a Polish ject the synod assembly to undue TORCHLIGHT ROSARY PROCESSION monsignor who works for the media pressure.’ in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary Congregation for the Doctrine “Mgr Charamsa will certainly of the Faith has publicly be unable to continue to carry with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament declared that he is homosex- out his previous work in the ual and has a stable partner. Congregation for the Doctrine Music will be led by the ‘Schola Benedicti’ Mgr Krzystof Charamsa, 43, of the Faith and the pontifical gave interviews to Polish and universities [where he teaches]” Italian media last Saturday and the Pontifical Gregorian Univer- Light Refreshments will be served in the Xavier Centre planned a press conference the sity and the Pontifical following day outside the offices Athenaeum Regina Apostolo- afterwards. All welcome. of the congregation. The confer- rum, Fr Lombardi said. ence, however, was moved to a “The other aspects of his situa- restaurant nearby. tion shall remain the competence Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, of his diocesan ordinary,” the Grotto Schedule from 12th October Vatican spokesman, said that Mgr Bishop of Pelplin, Poland, Fr Charamsa and his reflections on Lombardi added. Mgr Charamsa, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 10.30am-3pm his life and sexuality were deserv- was ordained for Pelplin Diocese Holy Mass – Monday-Friday 1pm ing of respect, but ‘the decision to in 1997. make such a pointed statement on “Homosexual persons are Bethlehem Cave, the Holy House of Nazareth, the the eve of the opening of the called to chastity,” the Catechism synod appears very serious and of the Catholic Church says. Divine Mercy Chapel and the Tomb of Jesus – open each day from 10.30am-3pm WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 8 MISSION MONTH SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015
Education depends on spending a penny ZAMSCOTED founder, MARIAN PALLISTER, explains how the MISSIO SCOTLAND supported Argyll-based charity is striving to provide Zambian children with the opportunity of an education and the chance to realise their dreams
Missio Scotland is supporting the Argyll-based breadwinner and she has to walk almost 9 miles to charity ZamScotEd in building a secondary school the nearest area where she can sell her bananas or on the outskirts of Zambia’scapital city, Lusaka. The tomatoes, she isn’t going to have much spare school will serve children from some of Zambia’s energy to dig latrine pits. poorest communities. There has been no secondary At Tubalange Elementary School—which will education in the area, and families can’t afford to be one of the feeders for St Columba’s—‘the toilet send children to school in other districts. As the problem’ can take months, even years, to solve. school’s roof goes on, ZamScotEd founder Marian Generations of children have suffered the indignities Pallister considers the importance of school toilets —and the health hazards—of crumbling, stinking and the fact that for some Zambian children, blocks while the wheedling to raise funds and labour completing their education can depend on a granny’s creaked on. The problem is that a family earning ability to pay out a kwacha on spending a penny. less than £1 a day is a family that has to prioritise.
CHOOL toilets. In Scotland we associate n a house on the road to Chikandano, Phoebe them with everything from bullying to runs the Lonjedzani project. She acts as a sort fly puffs on illicit fags; from vandalism of housemother to around a dozen girls from and graffiti to peer counselling and hot Ithe poorest communities in Lusaka West, supporting gossip. They are an integral part of the the Chikandano girls with their homework and fabric of every school—so integral that no-one trying to sort out family problems. Phoebe says that gives them a second thought until less imaginative without the breakfast she provides when they drop schoolS leavers decide they are the place to stage a in on the way to school at six in the morning, these farewell wreckfest. youngsters wouldn’t eat all day. In Zambia, none of the above applies, especially Most are girls living with grannies whose the part about no-one giving them a second thought. incomes are stretched to breaking point. The A handful of schools in the Sub Saharan country households most often consist of half a dozen or can offer plumbed in facilities, but for the majority so cousins whose parents have either died or gone the long drop toilet is the order of the day. In time, elsewhere to seek work. They all sleep on raffia these pit latrines must be closed over and new bed mats—the kind that we use on the beach— toilet blocks for students and staff are built. And with a cloth hung across the hut to create private they are built with contributions from the parent- spaces. Cooking—when there’s something to cook teacher associations. —takes place over a brazier outside. And the toilet, Although the Zambian Government made like those at the schools, is a pit latrine that at some elementary education ‘free’ a decade ago, there has point soon will need to be sealed over and a new persisted a huge divide between the haves and one dug out. have-nots. Because families still have had to From these communities come the youngsters contribute to the building of toilet blocks and the who don’t just say ‘I want to be a doctor’ or ‘I want upkeep of the fabric of the school, and the poorest to be a teacher’ or ‘I will be a nurse.’ They know families just can’t afford to donate their share in the subjects they need to excel in to reach their kwacha, the country’s currency. Secondary schooling goals. They are prepared to work hard to achieve. —now being phased in as starting in Grade 8 rather St Columba’s Secondary School is to be a than Grade 10, giving the government two extra community school and there will be scholarships years’fees—must be paid for and toilets at secondary to allow girls from these challenged communities schools also have to be built, maintained and rebuilt. to realise their dreams. Helping to build the toilets The financial strain on families trying to send may be part of the community’s contribution their children to secondary school is huge. The however bright they are, because the financial burden But in most challenged communities, like those towards creating this precious facility in an thought of having to contribute to toilet maintenance is too great. surrounding St Columba’s secondary school now educational desert. But no child will be turned as well as paying for tuition, exam fees, and hostel Capping old toilets and building new ones could being built with joint funding from Argyll charity away because granny hasn’t a penny to spend. costs, is often the straw that breaks the camel’s bring a community together. No cash? Then the ZamScotEd and Missio Scotland, there are few back. Children just don’t complete their education, dads can all get together and do some digging. dads around to do any digging. If mum is the I http://www.missio.scot WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER LETTERS 9
LETTER OF THE WEEK REBECCA and Alan Tavener, who direct the PICTURES OF THE WEEK award-winning professional vocal ensem- Pope Francis embodies ble Cappella Nova, visited St Mary’s love, humanity Cathedral, Aberdeen, recently, to provide a top quality choral workshop. LIKE many others I was hugely impressed The Taveners were warmly welcomed by Pope Francis’ tour of the US and Cuba. by David Meiklejohn, until recently co- One of the remarkable things about this director of music at St Mary’s, on behalf Pontiff is how he manages to handle the of Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen, and solemnity of his mighty office will still Fr Keith Hererra, administrator of the allowing his basic humanity to shine Cathedral. The event was organised by through. That is something remarkable. David and his wife, Liz, also recently co- Too often in life we forget about the director of music, with singers from all humanity of everyone, especially those we churches in the city and beyond invited most fervently disagree with. It seems to to participate. me the one of things the Pope is trying to The day comprised sessions on good do is break down the barriers all of us erect posture, breathing, guidelines for singers around each ourselves, the defensives that and choir leaders with Rebecca providing opportunities for individual tutorials. Alan we think protect us from being hurt but was recently awarded the honorary Asso- actually wall us off. ciateship of the Royal Schools of Church We may all be in God’s image, but we Music for his ‘considerable contribution to are all flawed. Pope Francis recognises church music in Scotland, particularly his those flaws yet embraces us anyway. This ecumenical approach’. is a powerful message of love. A Clear The day culminated with participants MOTHERWELL taking part in the Church’s Evening Prayer, led by Fr Jakub Czajka, Catholic chaplain at Aberdeen University, and Deacon Tony There may be hope for Schmitz. Included was a performance of Labour yet James MacMillan’s Think of how God loves you as well as the Scottish premiere performance of Pawel Lukaszewski’s I DIDN’T realise that Frank McAveety, the Jubilate Deo. new Glasgow City Council leader, was a There were singers from other Catholic until reading the SCO interview churches including St Machar’s Cathedral, with him last week. Stockethill Church, Craigiebuckler Church This is heartening, and his Catholic and St Ternan’s Episcopal Church, Ban- Faith should hopefully steer him towards chory, as well as a number of students making the right political decisions. from Aberdeen University However, as a long-time resident in Glasgow, I’m aware that the council has many problems, many of them not fully revealed, and I’m not sure a change of Synod will raise up Catholic preparatory synod has laid the ground work, leader will be enough for the Labour Party teaching, not destroy it ultimately it will be down to Pope Francis to hold onto control after the elections in himself to draw conclusions and lead the way 2017. IN MANY ways I am delighted that the forward next year. His Christian, human, ESTABLISHED IN 1885 We’ll see, I guess. world’s media is watching the Synod on forgiving and common sense approach has If Mr McAveety stays strong in his the Family so intently. While awaiting the stood him in good stead so far. So far from Faith and follows Catholic social teaching, Church to perhaps put a foot wrong, I fearing a schism in our Church from and his leadership tackles Glasgow’s believe all they will be able to report the discussion on pastoral care for the family, as deprivation problems while clamping affirmation that Catholicism has a wealth view it as a Church for the Church to reassert down on corruption, then there may be of pastorally proven resources to tackle the the value of Catholic doctrine on the subject hope for Labour yet. issues of marriage and family that the which places the family at the heart of the Help our family of man keep modern world struggles with. Church and of society. T Byrne And while the synod is constructed to be Mrs Daly body and soul together EDINBURGH consulted on these issues, and last year’s AYRSHIRE
S EXPECTED, attempts to whip up a storm of contro- Refreshing high spirits at Paisley and pilgrims visiting the US came A picture is worth a versy over the discussion of pastoral care for the family World Meeting of Families across but I am not sure if their high spirits thousand words has already started and the Synod of the Family is not was the spirituality I have come to expect even a week old. The flawed concept, within and out OF ALL the amazing images from the from our national Catholic newspaper. IF EVER a picture was worth a thousand with the Church, that the Catholic doctrine could or even World Meeting of Families it struck me as Perhaps, in this case, that wasn’t such a words, last weeks’s SCO page 1 ticks that must bend to the will of the modern world clashes completely with the unusual that the SCO choose to print the bad thing. We have a cool, calm and box. While prayer and, dare I say, evidence-based assertion that Catholicism offers a pastorally proven informal but fun image of Scottish pilgrims collected Pope who cuts through the red poe-faced sincerity has its place in Church Apath through the challenges of chastity, marriage and family. punching the air at a popular cultural statue tape to the heart of matters. And one of the matters, the sheer joy of the Scottish group Pope Francis did not shout from the rafters or employ bullying tac- in the US on its front page last week. things our Church needs is an informal but at the World Meeting of Families was tics at the World Meeting of Families. Instead he showed care, under- Inside the newspaper was a faithful respectful, youthful, engaging and indeed a moment to capture for prosperity. standing, empathy, a sense of humour and real humanity. report of Pope Francis refering to families energetic approach to the Faith. So there is It reminded me of hymns, some of which Yes the synod will tackle trying issues, including sexual orienta- as ‘domestic churches’ and the importance nothing wrong with showing happy have fallen from favour, about praying for tion and global economics, but it is the direction of pastoral care, not of little gestures of love for happiness and Catholics and a happy bishop. joy in my heart. doctrine, that is being discussed and true progress is not just change Holiness within families. Outside, the The Trainers I am sure it may just have been a for the sake of it, it has to be change for good so that our Church can energy and enthusiam of the Bishop of PAISLEY moment of levity for the pilgrims involved be a true prophet of change. but that zest for life and joy in living they Pope Francis opened the synod on Sunday by asserting that mar- demonstrated is just what our Church riage is an indissoluble bond between man and woman, adding that Security issues are pressing culture’ in Scotland as yet, I fear we are needs. The joy of following Jesus is also that the Church cannot be ‘swayed by passing fads or popular in our schools heading the way of our brothers and sisters what young people and families need to be opinion.’Sadly the secular world, which can feel judge by the Church, in the US. How long before metal detectors reminded of. is watching not, we fear, for guidance from Catholic teaching, but for I WAS utterly appalled to read the SCO and bomb sweeps are de rigueur in our Faith, real Faith that lives and breathes some announcement that could be percevved as an admission that the report of the shooting of a parent of a pupil schools? and grows, is a gift that is there for us all. Church was or is wrong. Why? So the secular world can somehow at St Helen’s Primary in Bishopbriggs. Our Catholic schools can pride Pope Francis said while in the US that God free itself from the Church’s moral compass. Following on from a report a few weeks themselves on their ethos, and they cannot is knocking and that we must keep our As Bishop John Keenan of Paisley said on Radio Scotland on Sun- ago about a bomb threat effecting four control all external elements that enter their hearts open. I would add that instead of day, however, the synod is a consultative body and the real conclu- schools, including three Catholic schools in communities, but security issues are keeping our heads down and turning the sions on the pastoral care for marriage and the family will be drawn East Renfrewshire, I increasingly fear for pressing and we must live in the real world other cheek after problems within the by Pope Francis next year in a post-synodial Apostolic Exhortation in our young people and their poor parents —until we can make it better. Scottish Church we must open our hearts the Year of Mercy. We are all encouraged to pray for the synod. who must have been at their wits end when and arms for the new evangelisation. they heard the news. Mrs McGuiness The Church does not stand in the way of plifting news that Mary’s Meals, a Scottish-founded charity While I do not think we have a ‘gun EAST RENFREWSHIRE progress. It may be a check and balance to named after Our Lady, is to receive match funding by the UK whether developments are for the common Government for a special three months’ project—the Feed good and the glory of God, but our global Our Future appeal—that runs until December 28 2015. G SCO reserves the right to edit letters to conform with space or style requirements U society needs that. What our Scottish WYD UK Aid Match, which helped SCIAF’s Wee Box Lenten campaign G This page is used solely for reader opinion and therefore views expressed are not necessarily pilgrims reminned me was the joy of this year to record results, will double public donations to Mary’s shared by SCO worship both in and out of Church. Meals’ Feed Our Future’ appeal, a move which could give over G If you would like to share your opinion, send your correspondence to the address below 100,000 children in the developing world the vital nutrition they need NAME SUPPLIED G Whether you use e-mail or post, you must provide your full name, address, and phone number or and the chance to stay in school. your letter will not be used GLASGOW A donation of £12.20 to Mary’s Meals can feed one child for a year. Until December 28 that amount could feed two children. WRITE TO LETTERS, SCO, 19 WATERLOO STREET, GLASGOW G2 6BT [email protected] 10 COMMENT SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 Nation has been numb for 48 years Lack of response to death—abortion provider selling organs—shows flaw in our collective conscience
HEY say a picture equals a thousand words and, as I write this at the beginning of September, one picture sears my mind—the pic- ture of a dead three-year-old child lying face down in the water on a Tbeach in Cyprus. It is heartbreaking. Aylan Kurdi (right) is dead and the whole world seems to be stirred by pity and anger to do something, any- thing, so that it never happens again. Many millions of words have been written and spoken about this one picture and the tragic circumstances surrounding BY SR ROSEANN it. Please God, much good will come from this horrendous image and Aylan REDDY and his mother Rehen and brother Galip will not have perished in vain. now more than ever the new social But will much change in the long media, who seem to set the agenda for term? I’m not so sure, even if the Syr- our compassion and response. ian ‘crisis’ were to be miraculously Even as the whole media storm has ended, there will always be another been in full flight re little Aylan, there conflict and another shocking picture. has been a deafening silence in the Remember the Vietnamese girl Kim same media, as well as among politi- camera for all the world to see. Yet life movement. ultrasound scan of a baby at 10 weeks Phuc covered in napalm and running cians, public figures and indeed how many of you or of the general It’s because, when the Abortion Act and marvelled at the sheer wonder of away. Remember the countless vic- churchmen and women, on the scan- public have actually seen this sicken- was passed on October 27 1967, we the miracle of life? Well, after a 10- tims of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and the dal of planned parenthood and the sale ing footage? Not many, I would guess. accepted the principle that abortion is week abortion, that baby is gone, its Khmer Rouge, the conflicts and civil of aborted baby parts. (To name one acceptable and at that moment, with life taken. Like Aylan this child is gone wars in Uganda. And, much closer scandal.) hy, in these days of horror that declaration, we opened the flood forever, its heart stopped and its moth- to home, ‘the troubles’ in Northern If you’re not sure what I’m talking images on every broadcast, gates. Over the past 48 years we have ers heartbroken and yet no outcry, no Ireland. about, let me explain: Planned Parent- every newspaper, on every became collectively numbed to the calls for the law to be changed, no wel- All throughout the history of the hood is one of the world’s leading FacebookW post and tweet, are we not daily horror of abortion which is all come for the child in the womb and world, there has been conflict and provider of abortion services. It is a seeing these horror videos of planned around us. Forty-eight years of taking this too breaks my heart and I hope at killing, death and destruction on a per- multi-million pound company, backed parenthood? innocent human lives and of offering the very least it touches yours. sonal and at a worldwide level. Some- by the government of the US and sup- Videos of staff eating their salad and false choice and feeble support to So what’s to be done, as with every times it seems to me that the more ported by many well known global drinking their sparkling mineral water women, has had a profoundly numb- problem in the world, personal or pub- things change the more they stay the companies and celebrities. Make no while discussing how, if a whole baby ing effect on the conscience of our lic the only answer is to turn to God, same, as the old saying goes. mistake about it, planned parenthood liver is required, they can abort the great nation. to ask his forgiveness and to ask for makes its profits from the killing of baby in such a way that its internal People can no longer see what's his guidance and help to know what is o my mind, one of the most babies in the womb and now, not con- organs are intact and therefore more right in front of their eyes—even when the right thing to do in every circum- striking aspects of the whole tent with death as its main source of valuable (expensive). Why is there still science and medicine point inexorably stance and then to pray for the crisis and this one image, and income, staff are reported to be selling this great silence over the taking of to the fact that life begins at concep- strength to do it. one which, I have to say, annoys me baby parts without the mother’s innocent human life in abortion? tion—that every abortion takes an T I https://gospeloflifesisters.wor and depresses me in equal measure is knowledge or consent in a vile trade Well, for what it’s worth, here is my innocent human life. this: it appears to be the media, and which has been captured on hidden theory, the fruit of 33 years in the pro- Remember the last time you saw an press.com/
The views expressed in the opinion What do you think of SR ROSEANN REDDY AND ALISTAIR DUTTON’S comments? Send your points pages of the SCO are those of of view to the SCO. Write to Letters, SCO, 19 Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 6BT or e-mail [email protected] informed individuals and groups and not necessarily those of the newspaper or the Church There are goals for the greater good that we all need to achieve
THE United Nations has now water and education, reducing form of aid and other material sup- choices have direct implications ronment has hit the poorest people finalised a new set of interna- inequality and injustice around the port to redress the imbalance for the UK’s environmental emis- in the world the hardest. tional ‘goals’ aimed at tackling world, urgently combatting cli- between wealth globally. Great sions, the consequences of which The timing of Laudato Si’was the global issues we face such mate change and its impacts, pro- strides have been made to that contribute to driving climate no coincidence. Launched just as extreme poverty, gross tecting natural ecosystems and effect. Since the Millennium change. We also know that the two months before the UN inequality and widespread preventing further environmental Development Goals were adopted origin of raw materials and prod- finalises the Sustainable Develop- environmental destruction. destruction. in 2000, two billion more people ucts we consume all fundamen- ment Goals, it contains strong Unlike the Millennium Devel- The new goals begin with an have access to clean water, 43 mil- tally shape the lives of people political demands for world lead- opment Goals which went awareness that many of the prob- lion children are educated and who are involved in produc- ers to prioritise and protect the before them, the focus isn’t lems we face, such as poverty and extreme poverty has been cut by ingthem. Put simply, the econom- poorest and most vulnerable. simply on delivering help to inequality, are not north-south half. ics of the goods we enjoy can fuel With a major UN summit due to the poor, they’re about realis- BY ALISTAIR DUTTON issues ‘between’ rich and poor Talking to more than 150 of the conflicts, ride rough shod over take place in Paris in December ing the interconnected nature countries. Instead, they reflect the world leaders at the United people’s human and labour rights, with the aim of securing a global of our world and how the has driven more people into unbalanced dynamics between dif- Nations in September, the Pope and render already vulnerable deal to tackle climate change, the issues which most affect the poverty, and climate change is ferent parts of an interdependent drove home the direct link between people even poorer. new encyclical and Pope Francis’ poor, often affect us all. leaving them at the mercy of an world. They clearly recognise that environmental destruction and the Pope Francis’ address to the speech in New York have pro- The UN’s new Sustainable increasingly erratic and hostile the reality of global inter-depen- world’s poorest people being dis- United Nations came hot on the vided important reminders to our Development Goals aim to tackle climate. dence means that we all have a proportionately affected. He also heels of the publication of his political leaders. issues such as inequality which Responding to Pope Francis’ part to play in ensuring the welfare insisted that they must act now to encyclical, Laudato Si’: On care The Pope has also reminded us has soared in last 100 years and is call for ‘critical and global deci- of our brothers and sisters, wher- solve the global problems we face of our common home. In this of our duty to improve the lives of at the root of many of the world’s sions in the face of world-wide ever they are. such as climate change, and not Pope Francis highlights how our the world’s poorest people. We ills. Increasingly, wealth, comfort conflicts which increase the num- If we are to overcome the huge leave them for future generations current way of life and global eco- must not only care for our com- and material wellbeing have ber of the excluded and those in global challenges we face, we to face. nomic system, driven by exces- mon home, but must look at how become concentrated in the hands need,’ the new goals start by set- must honestly analyse our own Fundamental to tackling these sive self-centredness, has led to our personal and collective behav- of the privileged few. Even at ting governments the objective of lives and our relationship with oth- global issues we must examine widespread environmental iour can help, and not hurt, the home, the gulf between the richest ending hunger and poverty ‘in all ers around the world, particularly our own lives and the conse- destruction, pollution and a loss of environment and the world’s poor. and poorest leaves many strug- its forms everywhere’ by 2030. the poorest and most vulnerable. quences our choices have on oth- biodiversity. It highlights climate gling to survive. Over the same The other 16 goals include ensur- Traditionally, and no less impor- ers at home and overseas. Energy, change as a major problem and I Alistair Dutton is the director period environmental destruction ing everyone has access to clean tantly, our response has taken the transport and consumption that the mistreatment of the envi- of SCIAF. WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER COMMENT 11
headed for new horizons this W year, hosting a Muslim team IRE from Yorkshire and a club D I from the same Buenos Aires N slum where Jorge Mario Bergoglio ministered before becoming Pope Francis. An SCO diary The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture A TOUCHING story this week announced the line-up of as Iraqi Christians fleeing matches Thursday. They Islamic State militants have include rematches of the been given refugee in Lourdes. teams the St Peter’s Cricket Arriving in the town where Club played last year during peasant girl Bernadette its inaugural tour of Britain: Soubirous had visions of the The Church of England XI and Virgin Mary in 1858, the refugees the Royal Household cricket have also experienced real club. But in a sign that the Christian charity through the Vatican’s initiative of blending efforts of some dedicated, sport with faith is spreading Lourdes-based compatriots, beyond just improved an ex-soldier and the local relations with the Anglican parish priest. Church, the Vatican team on “We are split between October 17 is due to play sadness and joy,” one of the Mount CC of Yorkshire, a refugees, Youssif, 48, a former Muslim team made up of teacher said. “But Lourdes is mostly Pakistanis, at Rome’s like a flower offering us her Campanelle Cricket Ground. perfume. It is the town of the “It’s Muslims and Catholics Virgin Mary, giving us our faith.” playing together—a bridge Their life was turned upside being made in sport between down on August 7, 2014, when believers,” Fr Robert Islamic State, which espouses McCullouch said, who spent a puritanical and highly four decades working in intolerant version of Islam, Pakistan and is now based in seized their town of Qaraqosh Rome with his St Columban in northern Iraq, home to a missionary order. large Christian community. The other key match is “We had to hide the fact that scheduled for October 14 with we were Christians,” Youssif, the Caacupe de la Villa club who like other Iraqis in Lourdes from the Villa 21 slum of declined to give his surname Buenos Aires where the Pope for safety reasons, said. “But used to work. Legend has it it is obviously very difficult to that the head of the Argentine hide your religious beliefs. We cricket association proposed are Christians, that's our life.” a cricket club for the Responding to the latest shantytown in 2009, and the surge of migrants fleeing to slum’s pastor, ‘Padre Pepe,’ Europe from the conflicts in took him up on the idea. The Iraq, Syria and beyond, Pope then-archbishop of Buenos Francis urged Catholics this Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Differences of opinion can lead month to open their doors to Bergoglio, gave his approval the refugees—something since he knew well Padre Nahren and Amer, living in Pepe well. Lourdes, had already done. “They are coming here The Iraqi Christian couple, because they want to see Church to a new understanding who fled to France more than their former archbishop,” a decade ago, helped to Mgr Melchor Sanchez de Toca organise the escape to France y Alameda, undersecretary in REPARE for a big they think that the Church can bishops expressed downright of Youssif and dozens of other the Pontifical Council for announcement. turn somersaults in its teaching disapproval of the idea—in the Iraqi Christians with the active Culture in charge of its sports Something that will while retaining any credibility 19th century. At the Second involvement of their parish initiatives, said. Daniel potentially shake and remaining true to its self Vatican Council there were priest, Fr Jean-Francois Duhar. Juarez, coordinator of the your world to its and its role. sometimes divisive debates “They asked me if we could Argentina-based group foundations... are you ready? over issues such as Liturgy, help them to bring some of Cricket Without Borders OK, here it is: Bishops and o what will we see over the role of Mary and religious their friends and relatives (to who helped arrange the cardinals (above) sometimes the next few weeks? It is P freedom. France),” Fr Duhar said. match with the Vatican, said disagree with each other. likely that some bishops Perhaps the big difference About 15 Iraqi Christian the group plans to fly to Rome There. I’ve said it. I have no and cardinals will suggest ways S is that these debates were families have arrived in Lourdes on October 10, tour the city idea how many of you, reading in which divorced people who conducted largely in Latin and over the past year. Up to 20 and play the Vatican club on this, are still conscious. There have subsequently remarried be followed by only a handful of families, roughly 70 to 80 October 14. may have been a mass fainting at re-admitted to the Sacraments. specialised writers and experts. people, are expected to have Mr Juarez said the cricket this awful revelation. If however, They will offer ideas and Today’s debates and synodal reached the town by early 2016. programme is aimed at social solutions, which would prioritise someone is still vaguely BY RONNIE stooshies will be instantly Under a local Catholic inclusion. sentient, let me continue. The the idea of welcome and beamed across the globe by the initiative called Echo 65 run by “It’s not that they just play,” disagreement of which I speak CONVERY mercy. Other prelates will media and echoed and amplified retired soldier Pascal he said. “We give them is likely to be very evident this suggest a new welcome to gay on discussion areas on the Vigneron, the refugees stay training, we teach them week and next as bishops from people, one which recognises internet and debated and with Amer and Nahren at first English and help them to keep round the world gather in will take on the conservative some positive elements in re-presented on social media. before being sent to other studying so they can get work.” Rome at the synod, to discuss wing of the episcopate in an some gay unions. Should we be shocked? No. homes in the parish. The 18 team members, family life in the modern world. ecclesiastical power struggle These views will be criticised Should we be afraid? No. Lourdes mayor Josette who also hail from Cricket San There are among us, some which will revolutionise all the and critiqued by other bishops It’s time to grow up as a Bourdeu said the town was glad Juan Bosco, from the parish Catholics who—if truth be Catholic Church ever said and cardinals, who will express Catholic community and to welcome the Iraqi Christians of the Carcova slum, are told—would rather not see about sex. the fear that any change of recognise that there are and that it would also take its between 12 and 22 years old, bishops and cardinals come Both camps, it seems to me, approach will fatally undermine differences of opinion on share of refugees recently though most are around 16 together to discuss such things, are wrong. The ‘we shall not the Church’s teaching and certain matters and that allocated by Paris to the or younger. preferring to cling to some be moved’ tendency is at best even credibility. sometimes the Holy Spirit Hautes-Pyrenees region as The St Peter’s Cricket Club kind of certainty that the naïve and at worst stubborn in And what are we, the works through these differences part of the European Union's was founded in 2013, the Church has delivered the final thinking that a simple reiteration Catholic laity, to make of all to lead the Church to a new efforts to resettle some of the brainchild of the Australian word on every topic relating to of the word ‘no’ to every change this? My answer is, we should understanding. refugees pouring into Europe. ambassador to the Holy See, family life and sexuality and in morals and mores will be serene! Is anyone still conscious after Truly Lourdes is still a place John McCarthy. It is made up that all that is required now is suffice to convince modern It is in the nature of the such a revelation? Is it time to of miracles. of seminarians and young obedience. man and woman of the wisdom Church for points of doctrine reach for the smelling salts? priests, most from Sri Lanka, There are others among us, of Christianity. and discipline and pastoral GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG India and elsewhere, who are Catholics too, who see the synod Similarly the ‘let’s tear up practice to be debated. The I Ronnie Convery is the director of communications training at Rome’s pontifical as a debating chamber, where the Catechism and start again’ issue of Papal infallibility was for Glasgow Archdiocese THE Vatican cricket team is universities. a progressive flange of bishops side are naïve and stubborn if debated—and indeed many
WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 12 MISSION MATTERS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER MISSION MATTERS 13 The Syrian conflict has had a massive impact on the Christian faith in the county (below left) and the everday lives of the people in the country (left). Charities, such as Aid to the Church in Need, have been working tirelessly in the region providing emergency aid (right) to people there (far right), something that Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo (below right) is grateful for
ANSWERING GOD’S CALL MICHAEL J ROBINSON, communications executive in Scotland for Aid to the Church in Need, explains how the Catholic charity is helping and supporting the Syrian refugees who are facing the onset of winter
CCORDING to latest reports, the left, while the others are still trying to leave the overwhelming,” Fr Halemba said: An old woman great encouragement, delivering hope to Christian violence in Syria has claimed more than country,” Bishop Audo said. “Above all our young pleaded with me, with tears in her eyes, to go on communities in need. In recent years we, at ACN, 200,000 lives since the conflict began men, who fear being called up for military service helping the Christians in Syria so that they could stay.” have also helped victims of natural disasters in Haiti in spring 2011. With entire towns and and don’t want to take part in a senseless war that The cost of living in the town has risen and the and Pakistan, amongst others. villages empty and in ruins, at least six has brought nothing but destruction.” displaced people living there do not have any work. million people have been displaced within the country. The mass exodus has not spared the Christian The situation in Aleppo is far worse with 80 per cent Scotland In January 2014 the UN secretary general stated that community in Aleppo, a place where once the of the population now unemployed. Moreover, for As Christian people, we are called by Christ to Asome 9.3 million people—nearly half the country’s Christian minority was most visibly present. Before over two months now, the city has been without respond to those in need with love and compassion. pre-war population—were in urgent need of aid, the war there were 150,000 Christians in the city. water and electricity. Here are some suggestions of how you, your family making it the worst disaster in the UN’s history. Today it is estimated that only 50,000 remain. Fr Halemba is particularly concerned about the or parish can support the Syrian refugees: Increasingly alarmed by the deepening crisis Similarly, across Syria since the outbreak of the civil effect the coming winter will have on displaced engulfing the region, Aid to the Church in Need has war in 2011 it is estimated that 700,000 Christians families in Syria. He said that gas and fuel were in G Pray for the persecuted Church provided emergency aid—food, heating, shelter and have fled Syria. very short supply and were very expensive. G Follow @ACN_Scotland on social media medicine—for some of the worst-affected regions Middle East analysts have warned of Syria Fr Halemba added: “Last year some 50 people G Sign up for our E-newsletters in Syria as well as for those seeking sanctuary in experiencing a repeat of the crisis in Iraq where died from the cold, we will therefore need to pay G Fundraise for Syria neighbouring countries including Jordan and Christian numbers have haemorrhaged from 1.5 particular attention to [appropriate] aid for the winter.” G Invite ACN in to run workshops and retreats in Turkey. ACN has carried out 140 emergency and million to less than 200,000 over the past 15 years. your school or parish pastoral projects—£5 million—in Syria since the Aid to the Church in Need G Write to you MSP and MP about the issues faced conflict began four years ago. Father Andrzej Halemba In a recent interview, Baron Johannes Heereman, by persecuted Christians Fr Andrzej Halemba, head of the Middle East International President of ACN, said: “The found- Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo projects section of Aid to the Church in Need, ing charism of ACN was one of ministering, with “There would be no ACN without the love and “We Christians are determined to stay on in Syria highlighted the ongoing need for the Catholic humanitarian aid initially, but then also spiritually, to support of our benefactors,” Lorraine McMahon, and continue to give our witness.” charity’s emergency and pastoral work in Syria, the many refugees in Europe after the Second World head of operations in Scotland for ACN said: We are This was the assurance given by Chaldean Bishop saying that it had helped people to survive. War. We intend to remain faithful to this charism.” grateful to all the benefactors of the charity and to Antoine Audo of Aleppo during a conference Fr Halemba said ACN’s project partners in the With the ongoing conflict in Syria and the resulting those who raise awareness about what it means to bear organised by the Italian national office of Aid to the region are working for the good of the whole people migration of large numbers of people experiencing the cost of being a Christian, witnessing to Christ today.” Church in Need (ACN) in collaboration with the ‘in an ever more efficient and coordinated way.’ great pain and vulnerability, you may be asking what country’s foreign press service. The archbishop “When I was in the Christian town of Marmarita can I do? I To find out more about Aid to the Church in Need, confirmed the mass departure of Syrians. in Syria near the Lebanese border, the gratitude for In times of crisis,ACN respond swiftly and decisively Follow them on Twitter: @ACN_Scotland or give “All those who were able to leave have already the aid that our benefactors have made possible was to offer practical support but also in providing a them a call: 01698 337 472 WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 12 MISSION MATTERS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER MISSION MATTERS 13 The Syrian conflict has had a massive impact on the Christian faith in the county (below left) and the everday lives of the people in the country (left). Charities, such as Aid to the Church in Need, have been working tirelessly in the region providing emergency aid (right) to people there (far right), something that Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo (below right) is grateful for
ANSWERING GOD’S CALL MICHAEL J ROBINSON, communications executive in Scotland for Aid to the Church in Need, explains how the Catholic charity is helping and supporting the Syrian refugees who are facing the onset of winter
CCORDING to latest reports, the left, while the others are still trying to leave the overwhelming,” Fr Halemba said: An old woman great encouragement, delivering hope to Christian violence in Syria has claimed more than country,” Bishop Audo said. “Above all our young pleaded with me, with tears in her eyes, to go on communities in need. In recent years we, at ACN, 200,000 lives since the conflict began men, who fear being called up for military service helping the Christians in Syria so that they could stay.” have also helped victims of natural disasters in Haiti in spring 2011. With entire towns and and don’t want to take part in a senseless war that The cost of living in the town has risen and the and Pakistan, amongst others. villages empty and in ruins, at least six has brought nothing but destruction.” displaced people living there do not have any work. million people have been displaced within the country. The mass exodus has not spared the Christian The situation in Aleppo is far worse with 80 per cent Scotland In January 2014 the UN secretary general stated that community in Aleppo, a place where once the of the population now unemployed. Moreover, for As Christian people, we are called by Christ to Asome 9.3 million people—nearly half the country’s Christian minority was most visibly present. Before over two months now, the city has been without respond to those in need with love and compassion. pre-war population—were in urgent need of aid, the war there were 150,000 Christians in the city. water and electricity. Here are some suggestions of how you, your family making it the worst disaster in the UN’s history. Today it is estimated that only 50,000 remain. Fr Halemba is particularly concerned about the or parish can support the Syrian refugees: Increasingly alarmed by the deepening crisis Similarly, across Syria since the outbreak of the civil effect the coming winter will have on displaced engulfing the region, Aid to the Church in Need has war in 2011 it is estimated that 700,000 Christians families in Syria. He said that gas and fuel were in G Pray for the persecuted Church provided emergency aid—food, heating, shelter and have fled Syria. very short supply and were very expensive. G Follow @ACN_Scotland on social media medicine—for some of the worst-affected regions Middle East analysts have warned of Syria Fr Halemba added: “Last year some 50 people G Sign up for our E-newsletters in Syria as well as for those seeking sanctuary in experiencing a repeat of the crisis in Iraq where died from the cold, we will therefore need to pay G Fundraise for Syria neighbouring countries including Jordan and Christian numbers have haemorrhaged from 1.5 particular attention to [appropriate] aid for the winter.” G Invite ACN in to run workshops and retreats in Turkey. ACN has carried out 140 emergency and million to less than 200,000 over the past 15 years. your school or parish pastoral projects—£5 million—in Syria since the Aid to the Church in Need G Write to you MSP and MP about the issues faced conflict began four years ago. Father Andrzej Halemba In a recent interview, Baron Johannes Heereman, by persecuted Christians Fr Andrzej Halemba, head of the Middle East International President of ACN, said: “The found- Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo projects section of Aid to the Church in Need, ing charism of ACN was one of ministering, with “There would be no ACN without the love and “We Christians are determined to stay on in Syria highlighted the ongoing need for the Catholic humanitarian aid initially, but then also spiritually, to support of our benefactors,” Lorraine McMahon, and continue to give our witness.” charity’s emergency and pastoral work in Syria, the many refugees in Europe after the Second World head of operations in Scotland for ACN said: We are This was the assurance given by Chaldean Bishop saying that it had helped people to survive. War. We intend to remain faithful to this charism.” grateful to all the benefactors of the charity and to Antoine Audo of Aleppo during a conference Fr Halemba said ACN’s project partners in the With the ongoing conflict in Syria and the resulting those who raise awareness about what it means to bear organised by the Italian national office of Aid to the region are working for the good of the whole people migration of large numbers of people experiencing the cost of being a Christian, witnessing to Christ today.” Church in Need (ACN) in collaboration with the ‘in an ever more efficient and coordinated way.’ great pain and vulnerability, you may be asking what country’s foreign press service. The archbishop “When I was in the Christian town of Marmarita can I do? I To find out more about Aid to the Church in Need, confirmed the mass departure of Syrians. in Syria near the Lebanese border, the gratitude for In times of crisis,ACN respond swiftly and decisively Follow them on Twitter: @ACN_Scotland or give “All those who were able to leave have already the aid that our benefactors have made possible was to offer practical support but also in providing a them a call: 01698 337 472 WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 14 FR ROLHEISER SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 Moving towards a second naivety people, however unexpressed. The idea is that God and human complexity do not go together. Ironically, that attitude is particularly prevalent among the over-pious and those most negative towards religion. For the both the over-pious and the militant-impious, God and robust life cannot go together. And that’s also basically true for the rest of us as is evident in our inability to attribute complexity, earthiness, and temptation to Jesus, to the Virgin Mary, to the saints, and to other publicly-recognised religious BY FR RONALD figures such as Mother Teresa. It seems that we can only picture Holiness as ROLHEISER linked to a certain naivety. For us, holiness needs to be sheltered and OME years ago, I officiated protected like a young child. As a at a wedding. As the result we then project such an over- officiating priest, I was idealisation of innocence and simplicity invited to the reception and onto Jesus, Mary, and our religious dance that followed upon exemplars that it becomes impossible the church service. Not knowing the for us to ever really identify with family well and having church services them. We can give them admiration, theS next morning, I left right after the but very little else. banquet and the toasts, just as the For example, the Virgin Mary of our dancing was about to start. When I piety could not have written the was seemingly out of earshot, I heard Magnificat. She lacks the complexity unstained into the everlasting life of Young children are so beautifully rationalisation. The task is rather to the bride’s father say to someone: “I’m to write such a prayer because we have Heaven.” That’s a wonderful statement innocent because they are still naïve move towards a second-naivety, a glad that Father has gone; now we can projected on to her such an innocence, celebrating the beauty and virtue of and pre-sophisticated. To move to post-sophistication, which has already celebrate with some rock music!” delicacy, and childlikeness so as to innocence, but it celebrates an innocence adulthood they will have to pass taken into account the full complexity I didn’t take the remark personally leave her less than fully adult and fully that has yet to meet adult life. through inevitable initiations which of our lives. Only then will we have since the man meant well, but the intelligent. Ultimately this has a The innocence of a child is stunning will leave more than a few smudges again the innocent joy of children remark stung nevertheless because it negative effect religiously. To identify in its beauty and holds up for us a mirror on the childlike purity of their (above), even as we are able to stand betrayed an attitude that painted me, an unrealistic innocence and simplicity within which to see our moral and Baptismal robes. steady inside the rawness of rock and others like me, as religious, but with holiness sets out an unattainable psychological scars and the missteps A friend of mine is fond of saying music, the power and complexity of naïve, as good to sit at the head table ideal that has too many people believe we have taken as adults, not unlike the this about innocence: As an adult, I human sexuality, the concupiscent and be specially introduced, but as that their own red blood, with its humbling we can feel when we look at wouldn’t give a penny for the naïve tendencies of the human heart, and the being best out of sight when real life restless stirrings, makes them bad bodies in a mirror when we get older. purity of a child, but I would give uncanny and wily maneuverings begins; as if being religious means that candidates for the church and sanctity. The beauty of youth is gone, but the everything to find true childlike innate inside the human spirit. From you are unable to handle the earthiness disquiet and judgment we feel in the innocence inside the complexity of my there we can write the Magnificat. and beat of rock music, as if church and n the Catholic Rite of Baptism, at a presence of a child’s innocence is adult life. I think that what he means is earthy celebration are in opposition to point, the priest or deacon more a neurosis and misconception than this: Jesus went into the singles’ bars I Fr Ronald Rolheiser is a priest and each other, as if sanctity demands an pronounces these words: “See in a genuine judgment on our sanctity of His time, except He didn’t sin. The member of the Missionary Oblates of elemental innocence the precludes this white garment the outward sign of and moral goodness. Children are task in spirituality is not to try to Mary Immaculate. He is president of I the Oblate School of Theology in San human complexity, and as if full-blood your Christian dignity. With your innocent because they have not yet emulate the naive innocence and non- and religion are best kept separate. family and friends to help you by word had to deal with life, its infinite complexity of our childhood. That’s Antonio, Texas. Visit his website at But that’s an attitude within most and example, bring that dignity complexities, and its inevitable wounds. an exercise in denial and a formula for www.ronrolheiser.com
The views expressed in the opinion What do you think of FR ROLHEISER’S comments on innocence? Send your points of view pages of the SCO are those of to the SCO. Write to Letters, SCO, 19 Waterloo St, Glasgow G2 6BT or e-mail [email protected] informed individuals and groups and not necessarily those of the newspaper or the Church
A BRITISH nurse called Edith have no hatred or bitterness She told of the need to most famously—in 1066. King Cavell was invited to become towards anyone.” provide work materials for the Edward the Confessor died matron of a nurses’ training prisoners. She brought about that year. He was succeeded centre in Brussels, Belgium. Lord our God, we pray that, no so many changes for the better by his cousin, Harold. Seven years later—with the matter what happens to us, we that she was asked to visit On October 14, 1066, the outbreak of the First World may grow as people who are prisons throughout Britain and Battle of Hastings took place. War in 1914—the place generous enough to hold no other European countries. Harold (the last Saxon king) became a Red Cross hospital. hatred or bitterness towards She shared with the women was killed in battle, and During the German Occupation, anyone. Amen. her great faith in God’s love, another cousin—William of she treated German soldiers sent and she prayed with them. She Normandy—became the first there, and also nursed captured IN THE early 1800s a child died on October 12, 1845, Norman King of England. British, French and Belgian could be hanged for stealing. having influenced many William the Conqueror was soldiers. Society’s attitude to those people to change their attitude crowned king on Christmas Meanwhile, over a period of committing crimes was towards prisoners Day 1066, in Westminster months, Edith gave shelter in extremely harsh. Abbey. The building of the her house to some 200 British, Elizabeth Fry set out to visit God our Father, one of the Abbey by King Edward the French and Belgian soldiers the women in Newgate Prison PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK greatest yearnings of the Confessor had been finished and then arranged for them to in London. The governor of human spirit is to be free, and earlier that year. escape from Occupied Belgium. the prison told her that the “Together we can make this themselves and their children. we know that there are many She was found out and arrested women were wild. He himself prison a better place,” Elizabeth One of the prisoners became a kinds of restriction that limit There are likely to be some by the Germans. never entered except with Fry said to the women. “Let us teacher for the children there. and confine us. Inspire us sudden and abrupt changes in On October 11, 1915, Nurse soldiers to guard him, but she work together and ask for Elizabeth Fry approached today to help others to grow in my life, but there will be many Edith Cavell was sentenced to was determined to go to them. God’s help,” she said. Others Members of Parliament, freedom through the respect and more changes that are slow in death by the German authorities. There she found 300 women volunteered to visit the prison newspaper editors and other understanding and kindness taking place. When I face She was executed by firing living in filthy conditions and and help improve conditions influential people, to help in that we can offer. Amen. difficulties and crisis, I ask you, squad at 2am the following without heat or light or fresh there, along with the prisoners reforming prison life. “Prisons Lord, to help me to be wise and morning, aged 50. air. There were no places for themselves. Medicines, clothes are not just places for punishing ON THREE occasions in balanced in my decisions, With ‘patriotism’ meaning washing, and no beds—just and food were brought in. people,” she said. “We must British history, three kings strong in my friendships, and love of one’s country, Edith straw on the floor. Perhaps worst Elizabeth showed the women help them to lead better lives. have ruled one after the other faithful to you, and so be more Cavell said: “I realise that of all, the women’s children how to sew and knit, and they Kindness will do far more than in the same year. It happened able to live at peace within. patriotism is not enough. I must lived with them in the prison. began to make clothes for cruelty.” in 1936 and in 1483 and— Amen.
WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER REFLECTION 15 EWTN PROGRAMMES SUNDAY OCTOBER 11 EWTN NEWS SYNOD UPDATE 11AM 6PM ANGELUS WITH POPE FRANCIS EWTN NEWS PRESENTS: THE 1PM SYNOD ON THE FAMILY LIVE SUNDAY MASS 9PM 4PM PREPARATION FOR THE EWTN'S CANADIAN PRO-LIFE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE ROUNDTABLE THURSDAY OCTOBER 15 6PM 1PM THE WORLD OVER LIVE LIVE DAILY MASS 8PM 2PM THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL EWTN NEWS SYNOD UPDATE MONDAY OCTOBER 12 6PM 1PM LIVE DAILY MASS THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY 2PM 8PM EWTN NEWS SYNOD UPDATE EWTN LIVE 6PM 9PM EWTN NEWS PRESENTS: THE PREPARATION FOR THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE 7.30PM FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 VOCATION BOOM 1PM 9PM LIVE DAILY MASS PREPARATION FOR THE 2PM SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE EWTN NEWS SYNOD UPDATE TUESDAY OCTOBER 13 6PM 10AM LIVE THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY HOLY MASS IN HONOUR OF 8PM OUR LADY OF FATIMA THE WORLD OVER LIVE 1PM 9PM LIVE DAILY MASS A vow of obedience still PREPARATION FOR THE 2PM SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE EWTN NEWS SYNOD UPDATE SATURDAY OCTOBER 17 6PM EWTN NEWS PRESENTS: THE 1PM SYNOD ON THE FAMILY LIVE DAILY MASS allows for different views 9PM 6PM PREPARATION FOR THE THE SYNOD ON THE FAMILY SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE. 7.30PM In the latest article on our series on spirituality, ABBOT MARK CAIRA WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14 FATIMA AND THE POPES 1PM 9PM of Nunraw Abbey looks at consultation within the Church today LIVE DAILY MASS CONVERSATION WITH 2PM CARDINAL DOLAN ONSULTATION is in the air these Today our lives continue to be enriched days.Within the Church, in politics A SPIRITUAL through our reflection on the Word of God. and in our normal domestic lives Our trust in God’s guidance should help us there is much evidence of REFLECTION to see afresh what the Scriptures tell us in the LAY READERS’ GUIDE people having their say. light of our new experiences. That has In the monastic life, monks and nuns take always been the case. It is also what we are a vow of obedience. That, however, doesn’t being asked to do again both in the universal meanC that there aren't different views on Church and in our local domestic Church. certain matters in community life nor that Pope Francis has shown a freshness in his SUNDAY OCTOBER 11 the community is not consulted in major, and preaching on the scriptures that is simple, Wisdom 7:7-11. Response: Fill us with even at times in some smaller, decisions. appealing and delivered with effect. We can your love so that we may rejoice. Hebrews This is not something new. In St Benedict’s all learn to practice that in our own particular 4:12-13. Mark 10:17-30. sixth century Rule, he speaks in Chapter 3 niche in life. St Benedict was concerned that of Summoning the Brothers for Counsel. In his monks keep to their monastic values. it he says: “As often as anything important is That we live them is important; how we might MONDAY to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall Church in Jerusalem (see Acts, Chapter 15). do that simply is also to be greatly desired. Romans 1:1-7. Response: The Lord has call the whole community together to Later Ecumenical Councils and Synods have It’s not always easy to balance basic values made known His salvation. Luke 11:29-32. explain what the business is. After hearing been held down through the years. Religious in a way that expresses them clearly in daily the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it Orders and Congregations have also met at life. Some people have that gift; others need and follow what he judges the wiser course.” critical times to try to reform their structures. help to do that. Balance is one of the features TUESDAY But he adds: “The brothers for their part are that many have found in Benedict’s Rule. An Romans 1:16-25. Response: The heavens to express their opinions with all humility e are living in a time when we are example of that is where he lays down the proclaim the glory of God. Luke 111:37-41. and not to defend their opinions obstinately.” very conscious of the difficult order in which the psalms are to be recited in Pope Francis expressed the same sentiment situations people find themselves the Divine Office. When he had laid out his when he said ‘speak boldly, but with humility.’ in.W Many find life so uncertain because of the scheme, he said that if someone finds a WEDNESDAY St Benedict continued: “It is proper for the number of difficult real life problems within better way they may follow that. Romans 2:1-11. Response: Lord, you monk to follow what seems best to the abbot the Church. There is the danger that they see repay each man according to his deeds. after the consultation. However, it is becoming only the problems and forget that the Lord e must believe that there is a great for the abbot, on his part, to act with foresight promised to be with the Church always. It’s benefit in getting together to tackle Luke 11:42-46 and fairness.” when we feel adrift in uncertain seas that we important decisions. This is not Some members of the Church think that need to find time and space to deal with our justW to express views, necessary as that is. THURSDAY important matters should be left to the Pope concerns in a positive way. Our need is to be When we meet to discuss or dialogue with Feast of St Teresa of Jesus. Romans and the bishops, and, in the monastery, to the open to God and to be ready to receive the others we often get insights into how others abbot. Others, however, point out that in the guidance our Lord promised us. see things. That helps us, when appropriate, 3:21-30. Response: With the Lord there is Scriptures and in the history of the Church Because there are so many different types of to modify or balance our own opinions. In mercy, and fullness of redemption. there have been prophets and other Holy people with their own needs in the community this way we may discover how to re-express Luke 11:47-54. people who have risen up in a time of crisis of the Church, it’s understandable they don't our understanding of a position or of some and spoken boldly of what they knew was find it easy to meet the challenges life throws problem that has been bothering us. That can God’s mind. There have been, of course, at them. Some want to keep to what ‘has happen in international gatherings all the FRIDAY false or unbalanced prophets who gave always been,’ others are keen to find fresh way down to our own families or religious Romans 4:1-8. Response: You are my misleading messages. There have also been ways to express their Faith. communities. refuge, O Lord; you fill me with joy of wise prophetic figures who were not listened The Christian Faith developed out of the In the end, we ought remember that in our to. That is all the more reason why at important Jewish religion. Jesus gave the people of His discussions or consultations, Jesus said that salvation. Luke 12:1-7. times we need to come together to find God's time a somewhat different but deeper we should be known for our love for one guidance as to what we should do to be faithful understanding of the fulfilment of what God another. Our efforts to understand each other SATURDAY to God. It was through such circumstances had been revealing over the centuries. should be respectful. In that way we are Feast of St Ignatius of Antioch. Romans that the Gentiles came to be accepted into During the last 2000 years, the Gospels have more likely to draw closer together in our the community of believers in the Acts of the enlivened the lives of Christians and given common seeking of God. That can only be 4:13, 16-18. Response: The Lord remembers Apostles. That was the first Council of the us the Church that we are familiar with. good for all of us. His covenant for ever. Luke 12:8-12. WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 16 THAT’S LIFE SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 A look at the real meaning of hospitality THAT’S LIFE says that being hospitable means inviting people into our lives with charity and compassion
back garden. For the benefit of younger readers the the necessary. No can do was the polite, but firm slabs are what you call the patio. The gardening TV response. Mining bees are an endangered species, show era and the nation’s love affair with decking had he was told. You couldn’t make this stuff up. Much yet to begin (and end). later I learned that mining bees are non-aggressive Some entrepreneurial guy introduced what and their sting—when they can be bothered— By Mary became an entire industry; talk about filling a gap registers 0.1 on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Try in the market. Until then no one had thought to explaining that to your toddler and her bee-averse McGinty clean the garden slabs. Was that not what God sent big sister when their brother follows them around the rain for? Suddenly the bit of the back garden making a buzzing noise. LIKE to think of myself as the hospitable that didn’t have grass was the patio and patios, Parents of new-borns are a special category of sort. You’ll always get a piece at my door. don’t you know, need cleaning. The house-proud, guardians. It’s a brave man that tells a doting dad The family of mice that we saw off with a the weekend DIYers and husbands desperate to that the garden is a no-go area for his wean’s pram lethal combination of traps and tasty treats avoid unloading the dishwasher were rushing out for the entire summer, but the man from the council that disguised a deadly compound would to B&Q to purchase the latest must-have—the wouldn’t budge, even going so far as to advise us argue the toss. Well, they would if they could. power-washer. Not my man. of our duty of care to the little critters. Telling you Certainly, the slugs that make a bee-line for our Those were the years I was up to my knees in how we dealt with the problem would incriminate kitchenI door, as soon as darkness falls, seem to like dirty nappies so when Himself came home from an otherwise law-abiding family man, that’s all us well enough. work the very last thing I wanted him to do was I’m saying. When our youngest was just a babe-in-arms we clean the slabs. Anyway, back to the mining bees. Ever after, I felt a bit bad about sending the bees had a colony of mining bees under the slabs in the Himself called the council to get a man out to do to the hive in the sky. So now I treasure God’s creatures however pesky they might be. I gently We all want to be hospitable, but how far will gather spiders in a duster and convey them safely we go? The Scottish Government has pledged to to a corner of the garden. Granted, when they get take 2000 of the UK’s pledge to welcome 20,000 Gordius No 215 there they plan their revenge and, rallying the troops, refugees. All 32 councils will participate in a ‘co- CROSSWORD they return with a vengeance, usually to party in ordinated response’ to Europe’s largest wave of our arachnaphobic middle daughter’s bedroom. refugees (above) since the Balkan wars of the 1990s. As Archbishop Tartaglia said in his recent 123 4 5 6 7 ur latest guests are a mini-plague of moths. letter to the First Minister many of us hail ‘from We live in the moth capital of Glasgow and families with a history of fleeing conflict and they say it’s the vintage shops that are to poverty in the 19th and 20th centuries to find a blame. Any time I clap eyes on a dapper young new home in Scotland.’ Pope Francis has led the 89 O man in a 1950s suit or a girl working a 1960s vibe way by housing a Syrian family of Melkite Greek I run a mile. A rig-out of unknown provenance and Catholics in the Vatican’s Santa Anna parish. It is I’m spritzing myself with moth-busting lavender. incumbent upon us to respond with charity and 10 11 12 First entry out the hat on FRI Even if the wearer tries to assure me that her sable compassion to this humanitarian crisis. A recent 13 14 OCTOBER 16 will be the winner belonged to her granny I need to see the dry cleaners survey found that one in 10 British adults would receipt. You say chinchilla, I say rat with bushy tail host a refugee in their home for six months. That’s in his Sunday coat. the real meaning of hospitality. Send your completed 15 16 17 crossword entries—along with 18 your full name address and daytime phone number—to 19 20 SUDOKU CROSSWORD CONTEST SCO 19 21 22 23 WATERLOO ST GLASGOW G2 6BT SIMPLE 5 24 25 The winner’s name will be printed below. 9 4 6 3 2 2 4 6 5 1 3 8 9 7 9 7 5 6 2 8 1 3 4 26 27 The editor’s decision is final 2 19 8 4 3 1 8 974 5 6 2 85924 7 63 1 ACROSS OCTOBER 2 5 41 68 9 7 2 3 1 Unruly group; rabble (3) SOLUTION 5 4 3 Will it make music at a stretch? (7,4) 7 6 3 1945 28 8 Cookers (6) ACROSS 7 8 1 9 4 87295 3 1 6 9 One's ideal partner may give a mule oats (8) 1 Aide de camp 6 Sand 5 3 1 7 4 6 2 8 9 10 Pasta 11 Rectangle 10 A novice left Sherlock some dwellings (5) 6 279 83 1 4 5 11 Parted with money (5) 12 Settled 15 Virus 6 7 17 Rome 18 Orbs 13 Male rabbits worth having in America! (5) FILL IN THE GRID IN SUCH A WAY 15 Six rulers became Scandinavian marauders (7) 19 Satan 21 Bracket 23 Mercy 24 Peru AS EVERY ROW AND COLUMN 16 Middle-Eastern country, capital Beirut (7) 3 5 4 7 6 25 Ahem 26 Divan AND EVERY 3 BY 3 BOX CONTAINS 20 First citizen of a town or city (5) 28 Against 33 Blueberry 21 Clean out thoroughly (5) 34 Largo 35 Efts 8 4 5 2 3 THE NUMBERS 1 TO 9. NO GUESS 23 Vertical stretch of rock (5) 36 Hermit crab WORK IS REQUIRED AND THERE 24 Commence shooting on what should be in the hearth 7 IS ONLY ONE SOLUTION. ABOVE (4,4) DOWN IS THE OCT 2 SIMPLE SOLUTION 25 Lacier kind of cake (6) 1 Alps 2 Dismember 26 They hope charitably to assemble a collection of 3 Dealt 4 Curse 5 Mace note! (11) 7 Augur 8 Dressing up MODERATE 27 Hospital department involved finally in an accident 9 Harvest 13 Leer (1.1.1.) 14 Drachma 3 8 9 16 Formidable 1 3 947 56 8 2 20 Treasurer 21 By and by DOWN 3 7 1 4 2 6 9 8 3 5 71 22 Emma 27 Vault 1 His sumo vice is potentially impish (11) 578 1 2 4 3 69 2 Reserve an evangelist to show where you left Reading (8) 29 Goyim 30 Inlet 31 Brie 32 Comb 6 1 5 2 9 7 4 8 3 3 Odds of one-to-one (5) 5 1 4 One under investigation (7) 2 4 8 3 169 7 5 5 Young horses for firm lieutenants (5) SEPTEMBER 25’s crossword 8 5 3 7 7 9 3 5 4 8 2 16 6 Eased off, lessened (6) competition winner was: 8 5 1 6 3 2 7 9 4 7 Colorant (3) Mr P Kerr, Gartcosh 95714 8 236 12 Birthday associated with the key of the door (6-5) 9 634 13 Goodness, it’s attributed to glue! (2,3) 3 6 274 9 15 8 14 Affirm under oath (5) 1 4 6 5 17 I get a van to steer thus (8) Scottish Catholic Observer: FILL IN THE GRID IN SUCH A WAY 18 It sounds like this tree may be found in a Mediterranean Scotland’s only national AS EVERY ROW AND COLUMN island (7) Catholic weekly newspaper 5 2 AND EVERY 3 BY 3 BOX CONTAINS 19 A serious arrangement of melons (6) printed by Trinity Mirror, Oldham. THE NUMBERS 1 TO 9. NO GUESS 22 Either way, give it a mention (5) Registered at the Post Office 9 7 2 WORK IS REQUIRED AND THERE 23 Male birds (5) 24 Idiot (on a farm, initially) (3) as a newspaper. IS ONLY ONE SOLUTION. ABOVE IS 1 5 4 THE OCT 2 MODERATE SOLUTION WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER CHURCH NOTICES 17 CHURCH&PUBLICNOTICES EXPERTSERVICES
Healing Service PRO - LIFE Sunday 18th October at 2pm John-PaulJohn-Paul Mackiekie MRPharm.S St Columbkilleʼs Church Hall PRAYER CAMPAIGN Free Prescription Kirkwood Street, Rutherglen. TORCHLIGHT ROSARY • Ordering Speakers: • Collection Father Douglas Macmillan FOR • Delivery THE REPEAL OF THE 1967 ABORTION ACT And with new app and text JoeLivingston THURSDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2015 IN message support Themes: Divine Love & God of Surprises GEORGE SQUARE GLASGOW ASSEMBLE 6PM FOR ROSARY 6:30PM TO 7:00PM FreeFree PPhonehone 08000800 223232 1885 1885 Tea Music Coffee Giffnock G46 6XW FOLLOWED BY 154 Fenwick Road “Come to me all you who are weary and Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm overburdened and I will give you REST” TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION TO Our Foundation of Truth (Ministries) ST. ANDREWS CATHEDRAL FOR Shawlands G41 3YF 1067 Pollokshaws Road WWW.FOUNDATIONOFTRUTH.ORG.UK MASS AT 7:30PM Mon - Fri 8am - 7pm, Sat 9am - 6pm UNBORN BABIES ARE DEFENCELESS AND Cardonald G52 3SS 1795 Paisley Road West VOICELESS THEY ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITY. Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm, Sat 9am - 6pm PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR THE REPEAL Bearsden/Drumchapel G61 1LF OF THIS BARBARIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION. 145 Spey Road Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am - 6pm
48 YEARS OF ABORTION- Moodiesburn G69 0EN 16 Blackwoods Crescent 8 MILLION DEAD Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm, Sat 9am - 1pm IF YOU CARE-PLEASE BE THERE... Moodiesburn G69 0LB 63 Glenmanor Ave FOLLOWING MASS WILL BE THE CLOSING CEREMONY Mon Tue Thu Fri 9am - 6pm, W&S 9am - 1pm OF THE RELIC OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Contact: Robert Graham - 01505 335571 SimplySimply register regig ster in in sstoretore oorr online online aatt Mackiepharmacy.co.ukMackiepharmmacy.co.uk Advertising Tel: 0141 241 6105 Opinions of advertisers are not necessarily those held by The Scottish Catholic Observer To The Archdiocesan Music Committee NOVENA TO advertise A Festival Mass ofThanksgiving ST. JOHN PAUL II St Mungo’s Church, Townhead at 7.00 on Sunday 18th October Recruitment ALL WELCOME The 50th anniversary ofthe firstMass in the vernacular or an ST. PATRICK’S, SHIELDMUIR followed by refreshments in the hall 71 SHIELDMUIR STREET,WISHAW Expert Service Tuesday13th Oct at 7pm– John Paul II Son of Poland (Fr M. Łękawa) Friday16th Oct at 7.30pm - Music Concert by Martin Aelred in honor of St John Paul II contact Sunday18th Oct at 3.00pm – Installation of “the beginning of a flourishing spiritual life...a new effort to participate in the great dialogue between God and man.” Relic of John Paul II by Rt. Rev Bp. Joseph Toal Maire Élise All welcome to Mass and refreshments afterwards – contact as below for music in advance. Music led by The St Mungo Singers and the East Khoo End Deanery Choir, with singers and cantors from the Archdiocese. WOMEN’S ALL NIGHT PRAYER MEETING The music covers a broad sweep of what has been sung in the past 50 years and a rehearsal booklet is available for choirs and singers. Inviting all women to join in a night of email: Sung Eucharistic Prayer led by Fr Michael Hutson. Homily Mgr Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration advertising@ James MacNeil. Music and CD available for priests. on the 16th October at the Tyburn Convent, Largs. From 8pm til 8am sconews.co.uk Contact: 0141 427 0293 finishing with Holy Mass at 8am. [email protected] or [email protected] The Music Secretary, St Leo the Great, 5 Beech Avenue, Please note door is locked at 8.30pm and wonʼt be reopened until between 5 and 6am. Glasgow G41 5BY For further information please call: 01475 726318 18 FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 FAMILYANNOUNCEMENTS
DEATH MacINNES DIVERS GILROY LEE McDONALD Precious memories of my 15th Anniversary of our In loving memory of our In loving memory of our 20th Anniversary beloved wife, mother and mum, Alice. beloved parents, our dear Please pray for the repose of BRADLEY, Susan precious mum, Mary Lee, May the love you shared father, Peter, who died the soul of Eddie, a beloved Peacefully, on Thursday, grandmother, Mary, whose whose fifth anniversary falls with us, Mum, live forever in October 5, 1998, and our husband, father and September 24, 2015, at St birthday occurs on October on October 13. our hearts. We will always dear mother, Annie, who grandfather, who died Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie, 13. Our Lady of Knock and “A light shone in the love you. The greatest thing died October 10, 1962. October 14, 1995. Susan, aged 56, youngest Lourdes, pray for her. darkness and the darkness that you have left behind is Eternal rest grant unto them, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for daughter of the late Vincent Loving husband John and couldn’t put it out.” the gift of your memories. O Lord, him. and Sadie Bradley, much children Stuart and Karen. Forever in our thoughts and Inserted by Brenda, Bill, And let perpetual light shine Betty and family. loved sister to Colm, James Stephen, Tommy, George upon them. prayers mum. Anthony, Catherine Anne, MacINNES and Paul. Our Lady of Lourdes and St May they rest in peace. MacDONALD Mary Therese, beloved Remembering with much Inserted by the family. Pio, pray for her. In loving memory of our dear sister-in-law and aunt to her love and affection, Mary, our wonderful sister whose DUFFY Marie, Clare and all the parents, Angus James, who nieces and nephews. 7th Anniversary GLANCEY family. died on October 9, 1991, Fortified by the rites of the birthday occurs on October 13. In loving memory of my First Anniversary and Mary, who died on April O Lord Jesus grant her beloved husband, John, Holy Catholic Church. R.I.P. In loving memory of our LENNON 3, 2015; also remembering eternal joy. treasured dad and granda, Sincere thanks to Fr brother, uncle, great uncle In loving memory of our dear Kate, who died on October Lol and Dolina. who died on October 11, 2008. Eamonn Sweeney and and brother-in-law, Brian, mother, Jeannie, who died 9, 1978, Annie, who died on Canon Jim Duggan, who When a husband breathes on October 8, 1989, brother October 13, 1999 and RELIGIOUS MEMORIAM his last farewell, who died on October 12, celebrated the Funeral Mass Kevin, who died on May 7, remembering all loved ones The blow is more than 2014, also remembering our on Tuesday, September 29, 2007, brother Arthur Lennon, gone before and after. R.I.P. TOLAN tongue can tell, departed parents, Henry and in St Patrick’s R.C. Church, 2nd Anniversary who died on October 1, 2007 To us you were someone Home does seem another Catherine. Coatbridge, and for their In memory of Fr Andrew Very much loved and sadly and father, Arthur Lennon, special, place, Someone good and true, spiritual support. The family Tolan, who died October 6, missed. who died on December 19, would like to thank all who Without the comfort of his You will never be forgotten, 2013. smiling face. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray 2007. attended, for prayers and For we thought the world of He never failed to do his So dearly loved. for him. Love and prayers from all Mass cards, condolences best the family, home and you. Mary. St Joseph, pray for him. Inserted by their loving and support at this sad time. His heart was true and abroad. Dad, Gerard, Patricia, Joan and family. Special thanks to Susan’s tender, There are some who bring a Anne, Katie, Martin and carers for the love and care He worked and toiled for light so great into this world Geraldine. LINDSAY shown to Susan. Thanks to those he loved that even after you have Hannah, Sam, Emily, Joe 18th Anniversary the staff at St Andrew’s And left them to remember. gone the light will shine and Molly. Betty, David, In loving memory of our dear Hospice, Airdrie, for the R.I.P. forever on. Dennis, Alistair & Steven. mother, grandmother and exceptional care given to From the family. You are with us every day in great-grandmother, Joanna, Susan and support to the everything we do and say. HERRON died on October 14, 1997. family. Thanks also to MEMORIAM Love always Mhairi and Precious memories of a Sacred Heart of Jesus, MacMillan Nurses and to Allan. loving father and grandpa, pray for her. McLaren Funeral Directors, BEECHEY Granda, Patrick Herron, died October From all the family. Agnes Bell Florist, Coatdyke In loving memory of my dear Every day you are missed so 7, 1978, and his beloved and Minuteman Press, son, Henry, who died much and always will be too, wife, Katie, our dear mother LOUGHRAN Paisley for outstanding October 12, 1966. R.I.P. For granda no one could and grandma, who died Jim, dad and grandpa. service. Queen of the Most Holy forget someone as good as you. October 15, 2005. Gone but not forgotten. McENEANY, Bridget Susan was laid to rest in Old Rosary, pray for him. Hugs and kisses. Sacred Heart of Jesus, keep Rest in peace. Fifth Anniversary Dillan and Luke. Monklands Cemetery, Inserted by his father and them in Your care. St Joseph, pray for him. Treasured memories of our Coatbridge. brothers, Clydebank. St Francis, pray for them. Love Helen and your six dear mother, Bridget The Holy Sacrifice of the FOLEY Inserted by the family. bears. McEneany, who passed Mass will be offered for the BOGAN In loving memory of our dear away on October 10, 2010. father, grandad and R.I.P. intentions of all. 18th Anniversary McCANN, James great-grandad, James, who HUGHES Lonely is the home without Please pray for the repose of Remembering with love In loving memory of a dear died 1986, also our dear you, BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE the soul of Hugh Bogan, who husband, father, grandfather mother, grandma and today and every day, Agnes Life to us is not the same, died on October 10, 1997. (née MacAskill), our lovely and brother, James McCann, James (Jim) great-grandma, Madge All the world would be like DIVERS, God, our Father, You have mum, granny, great-granny who died October 9, 2010. Whose 98th birthday occurs (Harkins), who died 1991, Heaven, revealed Your goodness in and friend. Born in South St. Vincent de Paul, on October 15. both on October 10; also our Just to have you back again. Your servant Hugh. Uist and who died October pray for him. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray dear brother and uncle, James, If we could have a lifetime Keep him close to You and 14, 2011, aged 93 years. Inserted by his loving wife, for him. who died June 26, 2001. wish, reward him for his Also Andrew, our dear father Maureen (Callaghan), Inserted by Edith, family and How much we miss you day We would never ask faithfulness. and grandfather, who died Deirdre, Eugene, Christiana grandchildren. by day, another, Breathe in him the eternal When the family meet and April 8, 1981, and our lovely and Sophie. Just for God to turn back the life of the resurrection. you’re not there, sister, Marion McPhilemy, hands of time, We ask this through Your So dearly loved, so sadly who died November 18, McCOMISH And give us back our Son, Jesus, who lives with missed. 2003. In loving memory of our dear mother. You and the Holy Spirit, one Our Lady of Lourdes, pray Eternal rest grant unto them, father, Charles McComish, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray God, for ever and ever. for them. O Lord, who died on October 9, for her. Amen. From Frances and Angela And let perpetual light shine 1960. R.I.P. Inserted by Mary, Ann, St Joseph, pray for him. (Sister Mary Gabriel). upon them, Our Lady, Queen of the Most Joseph and all her family. From his loving family. May they rest in peace. Holy Rosary, pray for him. GALLACHER Amen. Inserted by the family, COVENTRY Precious memories of mum, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, 38 North Elgin Street, In memory of a very dear Catriona Gallacher, who pray for them. Clydebank. husband and father, James passed away on October 9, St Therese of the Child HENRY Scott, who died October 11, 2004. R.I.P Jesus, pray for them. MacDONALD Please remember in your 2013. Always in our thoughts and From all the family in In loving memory of my dear prayers the soul of our Dad, In the shelter of Thy Sacred prayers. Glasgow and South Uist. parents from Vatersay, Heart, Dear Jesus may he Our Lady of the Isles, pray Bernard Henry, who died on for her. Barra; January 9, 2000, and whose rest. Inserted by her loving family KING Roderick MacDonald, died 94th birthday is on October From his wife and son. in Forres. Please pray for the soul of October 12, 1977, and 6. Hope he and mum can our beloved father, Francis Morag Campbell, died celebrate in heaven together DAWSON Place Your Intimation Groves King, who died October 1, 1989. again. Cherished memories of Announcing, October 10, 2011. Always in my thoughts and Remembering, Sweet Heart of Jesus, pray Mona, beloved wife of the Thanking All I ever ask is that prayers. Births, Marriages, for our Dad to Our Father. late Bert, much loved mother Deaths,Anniversaries wherever you may be you Fois shiorruidh thoir dhaibh Our Lady of Fatima, pray for of Monica, loving grand- will always remember me at a Thighearna, him. mother of Monica Mary and the altar of God. Agus solus nach dibir St Bernard, and St Teresa the late Kevin and Michael, Always with us. dearrsadh orra. pray for him. who died October 12, 1983. From your beloved wife and Their grateful son Father To place a Family Announcement Contact The family. Eternal rest grant unto her. Patricia Cairney: 0141 241 6106 all the children. Tony MacDonald, Edinburgh. FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS 19 FAMILYANNOUNCEMENTS
MacLEAN MULHOLLAND YOUNG THANKSGIVING BLESSED VIRGIN MARY In loving memory of my 15th Anniversary 10th Anniversary please answer my prayer father, James MacLean, who In loving memory of Jim, much Precious memories are held PRAYER TO THE and I will be forever grateful died October 14, 1990. loved husband and father, close to our hearts of Ellen, BLESSED VIRGIN A frequent mass, a daily to you. – M.M. who died October 15, 2000. dear wife of the late Charles, O Most Beautiful Flower of prayer, Sadly missed. loving mother and The purest token we can Mount Carmel, fruitful in the DEAR HEART OF JESUS Our Lady of Lourdes, pray grandmother, who died on share, splendour of Heaven, Dear Heart of Jesus in the for him. October 12, 2005. Whatever else we fail to do, From your loving wife Alice Blessed Mother of the Son past I have asked you for We never fail to pray for you. We miss you mum, we and all the family. of God, Immaculate Virgin, many favours, this time I ask Inserted by Donald Joseph always will, assist me in this my and Mary Anne. You left a place no one can you for this special one NICHOLSON McGEE, Seamus (Jim) Gentle Jesus up above, fill, necessity. O Star of the (mention favour), take it In loving memory of our dear 1st Anniversary Give our Gen all our love. Sea, help me and show me Dear Heart of Jesus, and mother and grandmother, Thank you for the years we In loving memory of a dear Michael Jamie and Donald shared, herein You are my Mother. place it within Your broken Allan. Elizabeth, died October 13, dad, papa and husband to The love you gave, the way O Holy Mary, Mother of God, heart where your Father the late Minnie, called to 1997; and our dear father and grandfather, Michael, died you cared. Queen of Heaven and Earth, sees it, then in his merciful Heaven, October 9, 2014. McMAHON December 12, 1986. R.I.P. Deep in our hearts your I humbly beseech You from eyes it will become Your St Patrick, pray for him. 15th Anniversary In loving memory of Always in our thoughts and memory is kept, the bottom of my heart to favour, not mine. Amen. Say If we could have one dream Too dearly loved to ever Brendan, a dear husband, prayers. succour me in my necessity. for three days, publication that would come true, dad and papa, who died on St Anthony, pray for them. forget. There are none that can promised. – P.B. We would pray to God with October 13, 2000. Inserted by the family. So very sadly missed. withstand Your power. O all our hearts for yesterday We hold you close within our Eternal rest grant unto her, hearts, show me herein You are my and you. WARD O Lord, DEAR HEART OF JESUS And there you shall remain, Sadly missed by your 35th Anniversary mother. O Mary, conceived To walk with us throughout And let perpetual light shine Dear Heart of Jesus in the daughters Katie and Grace, without sin, pray for us who our lives, In loving memory of our dear upon her, past I have asked you for son-in-laws Michael and father, John Ward, who died have recourse to Thee Until we meet again. May she rest in peace. many favours, this time I ask Alex. Sacred Heart of Jesus, grant October 13, 1980; also Amen. (three times). Holy Mary, I you for this special one If tears could build a him eternal rest. remembering our dear Our Lady of the Rosary pray place this cause in your stairway and memories a Loved and remembered mother, Margaret Kane, who for her. hands (three times). O thank (mention favour), take it always. died May 1, 1998. R.I.P. lane, Your loving daughter Annie, Dear Heart of Jesus, and His loving wife Bridget and Our Lady of Fatima, pray for you for your mercy to me We would walk right up to son Terence and families at family. them. and mine. Amen. Say for place it within Your broken Heaven and bring you back home and away. xx Inserted by the family. three days; publication heart where your Father again. We miss you Granny, please MacNEIL promised. – C. McK. sees it, then in his merciful Forever in our hearts and 27th Anniversary watch over us from above. prayers Papa. WATSON eyes it will become Your In loving memory of my dear Treasured and loving Your loving grandchildren GRATEFUL thanks to St Love Danielle, Shannon, husband and our father, favour, not mine. Amen. memories of our darling dad, Ben, Amy, Stephanie, Clare, Joseph for answering our Declan, Kaitlin, Kieran and Joseph, who died in Miami, papa and great-papa, James, Anthony, Michael and Say for three days, Sinead. on October 14, 1988. prayers. – E. who died October 14, 2007. Siobhan. xxxxxxx publication promised. – A.C. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray Fios gun robh aig anam Midnight stars are shining, for him. agus aig anamannan nam marbh- On a grave not far away, Rest in peace. Where we laid our loving Anne, Elaine, Denis and Chreideach troimh iochd Dhe, Amen father, family. Oigh Mhiore nan Tonn Seven years ago today, guidhe air a shon. It broke our hearts to lose MacINNES Peggy and family. you, In loving memory of Alasdair, But you did not go alone, a much loved husband, dad, MacNEIL For part of us went with you, father-in-law and grandad, In loving memory of Dolly, The day God called you died October 13, 2005. who died October 11, 2007. home, It doesn’t need a special day Our Lady of Lourdes, pray So put Your arms around To bring you to our minds, for her. him Lord, For days without a thought The cousins. Forever keep him safe, of you He was so very special, Are very hard to find. MacPHEE And can never be replaced. SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY SUBSCRIPTION OFFER In memory of our dear Aunty Sacred Heart of Jesus, have Loved and remembered by Peggy, who died on October Annie, Donald, Agnes, Iain mercy on him. 9, 2010, and is sadly missed Until we met again. and families. by her many nieces and 6 ISSUES FOR ONLY £5 Inserted by all all his loving nephews home and away. We want you to experience the benefits of having MacLEAN Ours is just a simple prayer, children. 25th Anniversary God Bless and keep you in A daily prayer, a silent tear, The Sco'sh Catholic Observer delivered to your door every week – and In loving memory of my dear His care. Forever wishing that you to show you how good our newspaper is. That is why we are making husband, and father, James, Our Lady, Star of the Sea, were here, who died October 14, 1990. pray for her. The many things you did for you this excep&onal offer, which has gone down a storm with readers R.I.P. MacPhee Clan. us, who are keento get anintroduc&onto Scotland’s Fois shiorruidh thoir dha In your kind and special way, Thighearna, MacPHEE Give us memories to treas- na&onal Catholic weekly newspaper. Agus solus nach diabair 5th Anniversary ure, dearrsadh air. Remembering with love our dear aunt Peggy, who died As we think of you each day. 6 ISSUES FOR ONLY £5 Our Lady of the Isles, pray October 9, 2010. May you rest in peace. Return with cheque to:Scosh Catholic Observer, for him. Our Lady of the Isles, pray Love you forever papa. Inserted by his wife Peggy for her. Your loving grandchildren 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT or telephone and family. Borve, Barra and Sadly missed by her nieces and great-grandchildren. 0141 241 6112 to order and pay by card Inverness. and nephews. WOODS Name: 8th Anniversary In loving memory of Jean, Address: beloved mother, sister and grandmother, who died on October 8, 2007. May she rest in peace. Email Address: Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for her. Telephone Number: Inserted by Raymond, Liz This offer is only available to new subscribers & can only be used once and Michaela. 20 FUNERAL DIRECTORY SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 BISHOPS ENGAGEMENTS FUNERAL DIRECTORY ARCHBISHOP TARTAGLIA Archbishop of Glasgow, www.rcag.org.uk
THU OCT 1 - SUN OCT 25 Rome, Synod on the Family.
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SAT OCT 10 5.30PM Charismatic Renewal national conference, Blessed John Don Scotus, Glasgow. THU 8PM Meeting with MEMORIAM CARDS Deacons of the Diocese. SAT 10AM SSVP National meeting and Mass at Celtic Park 7PM SERRA National Conference, Conforti Centre, Coatbridge.
BISHOP NOLAN Galloway, www.gallowaydiocese.org.uk MEMORIAMdesigned & printed to your exact CARDS requirements we can produce order of service for Requiem THU OCT 8 - OCT 18 Cultural Exchange With China, Masses and also design and print Exposure Visit, China. jubliee cards, bookmarks, and acknowledgement/thank-you cards please call for full details of the personal service we can provide SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER Tel 07818 645 863 MAIN SWITCHBOARD Advertising Terms and Conditions Tel: 0141 221 4956• Fax: 0141 221 4546 EDITOR Contact Maire Élise Advertisements submitted must contain complete and accurate information and comply with Liz Leydon—Tel: 0141 241 6109 Khoo requirements of all relevant legislation, the British Code of Advertising Practice, and the [email protected] Advertising Standards Authority. DEPUTY EDITOR Phone: The publisher has the right, at its discretion, to refuse, omit, suspend, or change the position Ian Dunn—Tel: 0141 241 6107 of advertisements, or require artwork or copy to be amended to comply with any moral or [email protected] 0141 241 6105 legal obligations. The publisher will not be liable for any loss of revenue to the advertiser incurred as a consequence of non-publication or incorrect reproduction of an advertisement. REPORTER Email: Advertisementsmay be cancelled within 14 daysof an order being received and not lessthana Daniel Harkins—Tel: 0141 241 6103 minimum of 24 hoursbefore deadline for entry. [email protected] advertising Any cancellationsoutsidethisperiod will not affect the buyer’sliability for payment for the SUB-EDITOR advertisement. Payment for advertisements must be received within 30 days. Any order, verbal Gerard Gough—Tel: 0141 241 6115 @sconews.co.uk or written, which isplaced for the insertionof an advertisement amountsto an acceptance of [email protected] these conditions. FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER CHILDREN’S LITURGY 21
Our weekly series on Children’s Liturgy has lesson plans and activity suggestions for use with young people who are on the path to Christ Each week, Catechists will find readings and Psalm responses, complemented by prayer, reflection, FAITH discussion questions, and activities. Please feel free to use them as you wish The lessons are created by Adorer-theologians using the lens of the spirituality of St Maria de Mattias, which also embraces precious blood spirituality FIRST While this is the starting point for the lessons, readers are invited to approach them however the spirit moves you The Church is concerned with the availability and understanding of scripture for children who have their rightful place in the Church. In light of this SCO aims to provide a useful tool in drawing children closer to KIDS the Catholic Faith
Show the children what missionaries and He loves justice and fairness and He is kind to CHILDREN’S mission work is about. There are many everyone everywhere on earth. missionary communities and service groups (R) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place both with church affiliations and with love. our trust in you. CROSSWORD 102 We depend on you, Lord, to help and protect us. Activities Be kind and bless us! We depend on you. G Perhaps you can have magazines and the (R) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place 1 2 3 4 5 children can cut or tear pictures out that show our trust in you. how people need others to make their wish for 6 a better life come true. Alleluia G Our you could make a scroll and list the needs Mark 10:45. 7 of others—to be taken back into church and (R) Alleluia, alleluia. placed by the altar—or somewhere acceptable The Son of Man came to serve and to give His to show what the children wish for the world. life as a ransom for all. G Perhaps you could write a letter to a ‘mission’ (R) Alleluia, alleluia. 8 9 10 parish or diocese just to let them know you are praying for them. Gospel G Make a wishing well and write on it a wish The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for for the week, something like: I wish to share my all. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to 11 12 13 14 15 favorite toy with my brother/sister. I wish to Mark 10:35-45. 16 17 pray for poor children. If your group is large, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up you selelct an action/concern for them. This to Jesus and asked: “Teacher, will you do us a 18 would help in having time to share. favour?” Jesus asked them what they wanted, and they Prayer answered: “When you come into your glory, Dear Jesus, we want to follow you each day. We please let one of us sit at your right side and the 19 20 know we need your help to be true and loyal other at your left.” 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time friends, please help us walk in your footsteps Jesus told them: “You don’t really know what each day. Amen. you’re asking! Are you able to drink from the ACROSS cup that I must soon drink from or be Baptised 1 Doing the breaststroke, perhaps (8) Reflection First Reading as I must be Baptised?” 6 You might say this if you were hurt (4) THIS is World Mission Sunday. There are Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence. “Yes, we are!” James and John answered. 7 A hurtful thing someone might say (6) people around the world who need our help. A reading from the letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16. Then Jesus replied: “You certainly will drink 8 Wealthy (4) They need us to pay attention to their needs Brothers and sisters, we have a great high priest, from the cup from which I must drink. And you 10 Needing immediate action (6) and not just be concerned about our own who has gone into Heaven, and He is Jesus the will be Baptised just as I must! But it is not for 11 Flamingos are this colour (4) wishes and needs. Son of God. That is why we must hold on to me to say who will sit at my right side and at 12 2, 4, 6 and 8 are ____ numbers (4) This is the point of the Gospel story: James what we have said about Him. my left. That is for God to decide.” 17 Large type of tree (3) and John are worried for themselves. The Jesus understands every weakness of ours, When the ten other disciples heard this, they 18 Direction opposite to north (5) other disciples didn’t feel it was right that because he was tempted in every way that we were angry with James and John. But Jesus 19 Perhaps (5) Jesus promised James and John something are. But He did not sin! So whenever we are in called the disciples together and said: “You 20 Play the first shot in tennis (5) they thought they couldn’t have. They were need, we should come bravely before the throne know that those foreigners who call themselves DOWN only concerned with ‘being important,’ they of our merciful God. There we will be treated kings like to order their people around. And 1 Put your foot in this when riding (7) weren’t acting like Jesus would want. James with undeserved kindness and we will find help. their great leaders have full power over the 2 Your teeth are in this part of your body (5) and John would have to endure all that Jesus The Word of the Lord people they rule. But don’t act like them. If you 3 Butt in (7) would—drinking the cup—being open to Responsorial Psalm want to be great, you must be the servant of all 4 Leaving, moving away (5) give His life blood as a sign of love and the others. And if you want to be first, you must 5 Playing a part in a movie or play (6) forgiveness and being Baptised into eternal 96:1 and 3, 4-5, 9-10abef. be everyone’s slave. The Son of Man did not 9 A hundred years (7) life in God. (R) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place come to be a slave master, but a slave who will 13 The second planet from the sun (5) Jesus clearly says: “You don’t know what our trust in you. give His life to rescue many people.” 14 Not at any time (5) you are asking.” But James and John The Lord is truthful; He can be trusted. The Gospel of the Lord. 15 It rises from a fire (5) willingly commit themselves. 16 You wear it on your foot (4) In reality, we all are called to sit at Jesus’ 18 Work it out in Maths (3) right and left side. We, too, are called to commit to giving our life and to be willing to LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION die for love of God like Jesus did. Do we understand what that means? Probably not. ACROSS We have to grow into its full meaning. When 1 Chimpanzee 6 Attic 7 Kitchen 10 Pint 11 Berries we act like Jesus, then we can sit there in 13 Afraid 16 Amazon 17 Stream humility because we know what it means— we are to serve. DOWN James and John had a wish and Jesus 1 Champion 2 Intend 3 Pick 4 Neat 5 Entered says: If you act and become like me, then, 8 Ice-cream 9 Cardigan 12 Canoe 14 Hand 15 Bat yes. What if we each had a wish and Jesus fulfilled it. What would you wish for? Well, on this World Mission Sunday: What would The Children’s Liturgy page is we wish for all people of this world? Even for published one week in advance to the ‘world.’ There are many needs and we are called to be Jesus’ response as best we allow RE teachers and those taking can. On Mission Sunday—and every day the Children’s Liturgy at weekly —we are called to be Jesus’ children and serve one another with love, mercy and Masses to use, if they wish, this kindness. How often do we put the needs of page as an accompaniment to their others before our own? That is a practical way we learn to be ‘missionaries.’ teaching materials
WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK 22 VOCATIONS SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 Families can help vocations flourish IAN DUNN recounts the message delivered by four women religious at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia
OCATIONS grow and to read Scripture.” It is critical to cultivate a ‘deep in the soil of families With so many cultural awareness’that there is a ‘current and they need distractions, she said, it is of love’ flowing between a child nourishment. That necessary for families to be and the heart of God, she said. was the message more intentional about living Respecting the uniqueness of four women religious who their Faith. When religious art is each child’s encounter with God delivered a presentation on displayed on walls and Scripture will safeguard against the vocationsV at the World Meeting stories are read to children, she temptation of manipulating a of Families in Philadelphia. said, homes can become the child into or away from the “Children are nurtured when setting in which children ‘breathe priesthood or religious life, they see Mum and Dad pray— in the beauty of their faith.’ she said. not only at church on Sunday, but Sr Regina Marie Gorman, vicar “This is sacred territory and at home every day,” Mother Ann general of the Carmelite Sisters we need to be mindful and Marie Karlovic, prioress general of the Most Sacred Heart of Los attentive to what the Lord is of the Dominican Sisters of St Angeles, said children learn about doing in your child’s life so that Cecilia, based in Nashville, God long before they learn to you can cooperate with God,” Tennessee said. “They are pray. It happens when they feel she explained. nurtured when they see their loved by their parents, she said. Just as parents (right) have an parents take time away from “Then our children will want obligation to expose children to the TV, computer or other to turn their hearts toward Him,” works of art, science, beauty, distractions to be quiet, to reflect she said. nature and history, she said, they have a duty to expose them to religious life. She urged parents to visit priests and religious and sign up to receive correspon- FRANCISCAN dence from various religious communities. MISSIONARIES “If the child sees correspon- OF ST. JOSEPH dence coming from them,” she said, “they will know it’s part of Are you called like Francis of Assisi their life. They aren’t going to to live the Gospel radically? know it any other way unless we expose it to them.” Want to know more? other Mary of the Email Sister Noel – Sacred Heart Gaes, provincial superior of [email protected] Mthe Institute Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara, told www.fmsj.co.uk parents there is no need to fear Reg. Charity no. 1135474 the vocation to which God may be calling their children. Receiving the Sacraments and praying the families to encourage their children Children learn to love in the newspaper, that in her family, Cistercian Monks Rosary are ways to foster to start asking fundamental ‘school of the family’, she said. religious vocations are presented openness to God’s call, she said. questions such as ‘Why was I “This fundamental truth about as real possibilities for her children. “The Rosary leads to peace of created?’ and ‘How does God love must be experienced by all “We have priests over for soul,” she said. need me to build his kingdom?’ members of the family by having dinner and visit the sisters in the MotherAdela Galindo, founder She noted that love is the a regular participation in service convent,” she said, noting that of the Servants of the Pierced fundamental vocation of each to those in need within the family some of her children have also Hearts of Jesus and Mary in the human being—not something or in society,” Mother Adela attended a religious vocation Do you feel called to seek God as a Cistercian monk within a Archdiocese of Miami, urged that can be bought or sold. said. “It is a very formative path camp. “Whenever we see a sister Community, living in prayer and work, in a spirit of silence? for the encouragement of young or a priest, we go up and talk to people to serve those who will them and include them in our life.” Write: Novice Director, Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw, not give them any recompense.” She and her husband, Ryan, Haddington, EH41 4LW Scotland Email: [email protected] Tel: 01620 830 223 remind their children that God (Scottish Charity No. SC 022611) eselyn Basler, a mother of has a special call for them. Prayer Website: http://www.nunraw.com.uk five from Kalamazoo, is ultimately key, she said. Michigan, who is expecting “We have to pray for what DO YOU FEEL THAT GOD IS Janother child, told the Catholic their call is and we should pray CALLING YOU TO THE Review, Baltimore archdiocesan for them also,” she added. MISSIONARYPRIESTHOOD? Thinking about Life Choices? THEN WE CAN HELP YOU The Society of African Missionaries (SMA Fathers) JERICHO is an international group of Missionary Priests. “The Next Today we are active in Liberia, Compassion of Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa and other Jesus.” Vocations African countries working as partners in the rapidly Drug & Alcohol Rehabs., growing Church. Refuge for Victims of Feature will WILL YOU Domestic Violence, be in our JOIN US? Supported Accommodation Send the for the Destitute, the November 13 coupon for more details Distressed, and all being I wish to know more about our editon. about the work of the lifestyle ‘passed by on the other side.’ SrFranceswill help you choose Society of African Missions A COMMUNITY OF To book a MEN OF PRAYER FOR what’s right for you! OUR TIMES (founded 1970) space contact NAME...... AGE...... Vocation info from visit: www.sistersofnazareth.com ADDRESS...... Bro Patrick Mullen, advertising ...... The Jericho Society, email: [email protected] Mater Salvatoris, Harelaw Farm, POSTCODE...... Please print clearly and send to: Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, PA10 2PY @sconews ScottishCharity SC016909 mobile: 07906 372 786 FR. PATRICK McGUIRE Tel: 01505 614669 .co.uk SMA, St Theresaʼs, Clarendon Place Email: Dunblane, Perthshire FK15 9HB [email protected] WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER CELEBRATING LIFE 23
Aberdeen Catenians celebrate milestone; Dundee and Perth Circle enjoy legal talk
THE 84 year-old Aberdeen Circle of the rounded off with a note of thanks to the visiting Catenian Association celebrated its 900th clergy for celebrating Mass, and a toast to all the meeting recently with the Vicar General of gathered Catenians and guests. the diocese, Fr Stuart Chalmers, and a newly Further south, in the Queens Hotel in Perth, the arrived Ghanaian priest Fr Isaac Nsiah. Dundee and Perth Circle of the Catenian After Fr Chalmers had said a few words, George Association gathered for a fascinating legal talk Brand gave history of the circle, musing over the from a top prosecutor. association’s 500th meeting, which was celebrated Donna Brown, senior Procurator Fiscal Depute with a Mass with Cardinal Gordon Gray, and its in Dundee, spoke on the Crown Office and golden jubilee celebrations in 1981. Procurator Fiscal Service and gave an insight into The evening, held in Bishops House, was its work.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Mass celebrates beginning of academic year
THE new academic year was principal celebrant at the Mass, Francis Ferrone, president of the marked by university students held on Feast of the Archangels, Canmore Catholic Society at St in St Andrews and Edinburgh and in a drinks reception that Andrews University, said. “It’s Archdiocese last week with followed (above) he encouraged moving onto people’s radar the celebration of Mass in the students to pray to the through the actions of Pope St Margaret’s Chapel in the Archangels for protection as Francis and also through our capital city. they evangelise on campus. own efforts at a local level, Held for the second year in a Fr Andrew Kingham from which means we’ve seen our row, the Mass was described as Stirling University said the Mass Catholic society grow each year. ‘lovely’ by Fr Dermot Morrin had reminded him of the fond “Deep down that means living of St Albert’s Chaplaincy at stories he’d heard from his our Catholic Faith in our daily Edinburgh University who co- mother who trained as a Catholic lives and being true to God in ordinated the event. teacher in the 1950s. our interactions with other “It’s great for the Catholic “She has great memories of students who perhaps don’t yet students of the universities of the experience of bonding with share our perspective.” Primary 2 pupils at St Charles Primary School led their school friends and parents in prayers thanking God for Edinburgh, St Andrews, Stirling, other students at that time,” he “We are a small chaplaincy at the abundance in their lives as they learned about food poverty. The youngsters from the school in the village of Heriot-Watt, Napier and Queen said. “The students here will Heriot-Watt and the Catholic Newton, Cambuslang, studied up on food production and put their learning to good use as they asked pupils Margaret to come together, to remember tonight for years to students could feel a bit isolated, and parents to make a donation of tinned food to The Cambuslang Food Bank. Pictured are the pupils of P2A surrounded by donations alongside class teacher Rose Hewitt (right) and Charlene Coll (left) who represented pray together, to meet each other come and it will also be a great so coming together in this larger The Cambuslang Food Bank at the assembly and to meet the archbishop,” bonding experience.” gathering helps to enthuse us all,” Fr Morrin said. “Catholicism is coming to the Fr Stefan Park, chaplain to Archbishop Leo Cushley was forefront of life on campus,” Heriot-Watt University, said.
GOLDEN JUBILEE ARCHIVE REPORT: NOVEMBER 1, 1996 Zaire crisis: SCIAF’s urgent plea for help
DURING 2015—the golden (right) beset by violence jubilee year of the Scottish between Zairean troops and Catholic International Aid Banyamulenge Tutsi rebels. Fund (SCIAF)—the SCO will “For many years we have bring you highlights of the been warning of a crisis waiting last five decades of the to happen in the Great Lakes campaigns and work of the region and unless peace and Catholic aid agency—an security are restored, the suffering agency of the Bishops’ will continue,” SCIAF executive Conference of Scotland—as director Paul Chitnis said. its reach developed and it “The people of Scotland became a member of the demonstrated their special umbrella organisation Caritas concern for the poor by supporting Internationalis. Rwanda and I know they will do all they can to help this time.” SCIAF launched an urgent The agency had already appeal for the ongoing refugee pledged £20,000 to support the crisis in Zaire (now Democratic region and had arranged Republic of Congo). emergency air lifts to Gorna and The fund required donations of Bukavu and supported calls for food, shelter and medical supplies the international community to after fleeing refugee camps find a lasting peaceful solution. E-MAIL CELEBRATING LIFE EVENTS TO DAN McGINTY AT [email protected] 24 CATHOLICISM AND ISLAM SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015 Portugal and Persia’s contrasting fortunes DR HARRY SCHNITKER, in his series on the history of Islam and Catholicism, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ISLAM looks in depth at the evolution of both the Portugese and Persian Empires
NE of the most important developments in the relationship between the Catholic Church and Islam was the great expansion of the former from the 16th century onwards. This caused the view of Islam in the West to change. Not that suddenly amongst Christians there grew a Ogreater understanding of Islam—although in some circles that did happen—and not that Muslims suddenly felt more at ease in Christian circles. What did happen, however, was that the West encountered Muslim powers beyond their immediate neighbours, Morocco and the Ottoman Empire. Over the next weeks, we shall examine three such encounters—with the Mughal Empire in India, with the Shahs of Persia and with the sultanates of south-eastAsia. In all three cases, the leading Catholic European power was Portugal. Increasingly, as the 17th century unfolded, Portugal was joined or even replaced as the senior Catholic power by France. From a Scottish perspective this requires a little adjustment. Most of us have grown up with a narrative of European overseas expansion that is firmly rooted in a British context. Scots bought into the Empire that the English were already developing prior to the Union of Parliaments in 1707 and even prior to the Union of Crowns of 1603. They did not just buy into it, but in many cases became so involved that Scots featured disproportionately in the Empire. This, in turn, helped shape a narrative, first established in the 19th century, that has ensured that we instinctively look at the European colonial adventure through ‘places coloured red for Empire’ on the map perspective. Needless to say, though, the British-Muslim encounter through the Empire was not a Catholic-Muslim encounter: the de facto official denomination of the Empire was Anglican, with a tolerance for Calvinism thrown in after 1707. So we have to readjust our thinking and look at the Catholic-Muslim encounter beyond the Ottoman Empire and Morocco through Portuguese and French eyes. The Portuguese—as we saw in early instalments of this series—were the earliest of European powers to expand beyond the con- fines of the old continent. Their encounters with Muslims other than Ottomans or Moroccans began consequently early. We have already noted the Portuguese battles with the Omanis over the East African coast, a battle they eventually lost after fiefdom of al-Din’s descendants. Two significant or the Catholic Church, the main point of With the ascent to the Persian throne of Shah two centuries. developments took place during the rule of Shayk contact with the new power came through Abbas I (1571-1629) the tide turned. Abbas Yet the most important contact made by the Junayd (d1460). Firstly, the hitherto mainly mystical the Portuguese possession of Hormuz at the (above) was the greatest of Safavid rulers, and Portuguese in the western Indian Ocean was with Sufi order turned to violence. It declared Jihad on Fentrance to the Persian Gulf. In 1507, the founder expanded his borders at the expense of Muslim the hereditary enemy of the Ottomans, Persia. For the Christian princes of Georgia and fought long of Portugal’s empire, Afonso de Albuquerque rivals such as the Ottomans and Mughals, but also four centuries, the ancient Persian state had been battles with them. Secondly, he became a Shia, (c1453-1515), conquered several ports in what is at the expense of the Portuguese. By this time, the submerged by wave after wave of invading forces. more specifically a Twelver, a follower of the largest now Oman, effectively gaining control over the Spanish Habsburgs also ruled Portugal, uniting the However, in the early 16th century—just as branch of Shia Islam. Both were to have profound Persian Gulf, which is extremely narrow at this two Catholic colonial powers in one family. Portugal broke out of the European continent— consequences, not in the least for Shayk Junayd— point. The port of Hormuz was at the centre of this Even if the Spanish Habsburgs were the this changed. From the mountains of Azerbaijan he was killed in a skirmish with Sunni Azeris. chain of Portuguese feitoria, and one of the three traditional enemy of the Ottomans, Abbas could came a new dynasty, which was to restore the The Sufi order now became a militarised Shia pillars of the Indian Ocean Empire. The others not tolerate the repeated Portuguese attacks on country to its former glory. war band, which went on eventually to conquer were Goa in India and Malacca in south-eastern Basra or their conquest of Bahrain, with its large Persia. It was at this point in history that the country Asia. All three were in largely Muslim areas. All Shia population. In 1621, after eight decades of nterestingly, just as Portugal’s eastwards definitively turned towards Shia Islam. The three were also major depots in the eastern spice Portuguese rule, Bahrain was taken by the expansion was driven in part by Faith, so the conquests of Azerbaijan and Persia by Junayd’s trade with the West. Persians. This was followed in 1622-4 with the restoration of Persia was driven, in part, by grandson, Ismail I, led to the conversion of most Hormuz was the first of the three ‘pillars of expulsion of the Portuguese from their Omani Ifaith. For the roots of this revival we have to go Persians and a majority of Azeris to Twelver Shia. Empire’ conquered by the Portuguese, and it was strongholds. The Persians received English back in time a little. In the 13th century, a man In 1501, Ismail was crowned Emperor of Persia. the one that entangled them most closely with assistance. Obviously, the conflict between called Shayk Safi al-Din Ardabili reformed a Sufi In the next nine years, his armies swept across Muslim powers. The Ottomans, against whom Christianity and Islam overrode inter-faith conflict, order. A mystic who had visions of angels and what is now Iran and the southern Caucasus, and Portuguese policy was principally directed, would be it Sunni-Shia or Catholic-Protestant. Equally Muslim saints, he was the composer of verse in conquered all. over the years ally with local powers in Oman, obviously, trade overrode religious scruples. Tati, a dialect of Farsi, the old language of the Their reach extended into modern-day Iraq, Yemen and Somalia; the Portuguese in turn would The Portuguese presence in Oman had not come Persian Empire. Interestingly, Shayk Safi al-Din where they captured the Baghdad region. Central ally with the Christian rulers of Ethiopia. Later to a complete halt, but it would be Arabs and was a Kurd writing in Persian, and a Sunni Muslim Asia was next, and most of contemporary still, in the 17th century, the English, muscling in Ottomans who would, in the second half of the in a region where the majority were Azeris and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and a swathe of onto the spice trade, would ally with the Ottomans 17th century, eliminate the remaining Portuguese many Persians were Shia. As is so often the case, Kazakhstan fell to the Persian ruler. The year was against the Catholic Portuguese. feitoria on both the Arabian and north-east African official identities often merge in one person. now 1512, and the Emperor was only 25 years old; The Persians long tolerated the Portuguese coasts of the Indian Ocean. Again, they would The reformed Safaviyya order grew rapidly, and astonishingly, he began his conquest aged 14. At presence, after all, it troubled their Ottoman rivals have English assistance. The Catholic encounter expanded across the Middle East. Then as today, the Battle of Chaldiran in 1514, however, the and was a thorn in the flesh of the Sunni powers with Persia, meanwhile, moved away from Islamic religious movements refused to recognise Persians were checked by that other great Islamic along the north-western Indian Ocean. The troops Portugal to Rome: in 1629, the Shah invited the political boundaries. Within a relatively short power, the Ottomans, who ensured their grip on from the Portuguese forts frequently visited the Church to erect a bishopric in his capital of period of time, the order became the hereditary the Middle East. Yet Persia was here to stay. Persian mainland for water supplies and food. Isfahan, which exists to this day. WWW.SCONEWS.CO.UK