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The OOcial Newspaper to Inside: p10 Military Funeral Cpl. Marlton-Thomas the Diocese of Lancaster Issue 216 + February 2010 p2 Cumbria’s Floods p6 Being a Young Catholic Today

St Jeanne Jugan Jonathan Gilchrist Pray for us

ishop Michael Campbell celebrated makes history Ba special thanksgiving Mass at St Clare’s Preston for the recent canonisation of the foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan, who have a care home of that name in Preston.

l-r: Bishop Campbell, resident 87yr old peaker John Bercow welcomed inquiry into how the university tuition Tom Dilworth and Rev. Mother Marie. Shundreds of teenagers to the system is run in the UK. He was cheered House of Commons on Friday, as they for his barnstorming opening in the gathered for a series of debates. debate and argued that politicians were using the current economic He said it was an “historic occasion” , the climate as a "get out of jail free card". Vrst time any body of people other than Indeed he compared the £20Bn being MPs had debated in the Commons spent on Trident to the £3.5Bn to give chamber. everyone no matter what their background a free University Jonathan Gilchrist, representative of education. The Speaker thanked the UK Youth Parliament for the North Jonathan for a truly wonderful and West, was the Vrst non-MP in the robust opening to the debates. There history of Parliament to lead a debate were 5 debates over 5 hours. in the House of Commons Chamber. It was on 30th October 2009, a day At lunchtime, Jonathan was asked to go before his 18th birthday. He was met at to the Lobby and was interviewed live Euston Station by BBC TV. BBC plan to on BBC News at One by Kate Silverton. show a documentary of the occasion The full interview can be seen on early in 2010. YouTube and AOL. See links below. Jonathan is currently studying at Jonathan, from Our Lady & St Edwards Newman College and hopes to read Pictures: in Preston, called for a full and frank Law at University. © Parliamentary copyright. http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/jonny-on-bbc-news-at-one-30-oct-2009/1585315241 Photography by http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0g2hfnLjLY Terry Moore.

Schoolboys earn reward for honesty

aggie Plum sent a heartfelt reward to Christ the King School Preston after Mpupils from the school safely returned her lost purse containing over £300. Mrs Plum, a guidance counsellor at UCLan, dropped the purse while getting out A Preston of a taxi outside her Malvern Avenue home close to the school in Frenchwood. woman was However, the Year 10 pupils from Christ the King, who were returning truly bowled after cricket practice, came to the rescue. A delighted Mrs Plum, over by the who sent a letter of thanks and a £30 cheque to the school as a token of her gratitude, said: “I was returning home from hospital on honesty crutches and dropped my purse while trying to get out of the cab. Next thing of seven I knew, one of the lads came running up to me with my purse in his hand. I was so grateful. Along with the money, all my bank cards and personal belongings were in there – things cricket-mad which would have taken forever to replace. Young people often get labelled these days for schoolboys. causing trouble on the streets, but not this time. The lads acted honourably and the school should be very proud of them.” 2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + February 2010 www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk

EDITORIAL trap” for government to alter it’s policies to try to boost it. She went on to argue that because of the rise in divorce, fewer ne of the most important concerns for Catholics in the marriages and the growth of civil partnerships, the traditional upcoming election will be how strongly political parties O family in Britain is on it’s way out. However, Dr Rake’s obituary promote and support marriage and family life. This concern is for traditional marriage and the family reWects an ideological why Catholics support National Marriage Week (8th –14th Feb position rather than the facts: in 2006 71% of families were 2010) and have set up a national programme to support headed by married couples, with only 14% headed by families called, ‘Home is a Holy Place’ . cohabiting couples. Following the long-established position of the Catholic Church in The concern for Catholics is when such ideological antipathy this country, the Catholic Voice of Lancaster will not recommend towards marriage informs government policy. The Rt. Hon. Ed to our readers support for any one political party. However, we do Balls, Secretary of State for Children, recently stated that future intend to scrutinise the track records and policies of the major Labour government policies will work on the theory that the parties regarding important social, moral and religious issues welfare of children is not best protected through marriage, but from the point of view of the teachings of the Church. If through ‘stable and lasting relationships between parents’. politicians are serious about encouraging To Catholics this seems an odd and false distinction to make opportunity and prosperity and tackling because marriage, with its commitment to personal crime and anti-social behaviour in our friendship, indissolubility, Vdelity and children, is the best Contact us country then they will start with ensuring the guarantee for stable and lasting The Catholic Voice of Lancaster well being of families. relationships. By contrast, David is published on the last Sunday of the Cameron, the leader of the month previous to publication date. As Gaudium et Spes states, “Personal well-being, the Conservative Party, appears not to share this ideological The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is well-being of human and of Christian society is closely bound up antipathy towards marriage when he says: “My point is that published by it’s owners. The Trustees with the happy condition of the marital and family community...”(GS evidence shows marriage is a good institution which helps people of the Roman Catholic Diocese of 47) . The Venerable Pope John Paul II expressed the keen sense stay together, and commit to each other. A society that values Lancaster, a registered charity, Catholics have for the fundamental value of the family: “As the marriage is a good and strong society. That's why we will recognise (No. 234331), and is wholly independent family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which marriage in the tax system.” of and separate from, any previous we live” . Unfortunately, it has become commonplace among newspaper published by or on behalf some politicians, social workers and academics to dismiss and As the Church will not be recommending any one political party, of the diocese. marginalise marriage and the family. every Catholic voter has the serious responsibility for casting their vote according to their conscience, guided by the moral and EDITOR: For example, in 2009, the Labour Government appointed Dr social doctrines of the Faith. Therefore, over the coming months Edwina Gillett Katherine Rake to it’s think-tank on the family, the Family and it is vital that Catholic voters carefully scrutinise the manifestos 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 Parenting Institute. In her inaugural speech Dr Rake said that the of the main parties for concrete promises of support for the [email protected] idea of the traditional family is no longer the “norm” and it is “a institution of marriage. www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk

ADVERTISING: BY THE WAY… BISHOP’S CORNER +Michael Campbell OSA, Nick Layton / CathCom Ltd. Bishop of Lancaster 020 7112 6710 How Does Lent Grab You? Cumbria Floods [email protected] www.cathcom.org ow does Lent grab you? Does it seize you by the throat, ishop Campbell expresses his deep Hpoke you in the ribs, tap you gently on the shoulder, or Bgratitude for the most generous DESIGN & LAYOUT: merely wave to you in passing, leaving you unmoved? In my response to the Diocesan Appeal and Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative case, it usually comes like a plunge into cold water, causing retiring collections in our parishes to [email protected] me to cough and splutter and struggle for balance until I help those that have suRered as a www.hot-creative.co.uk gradually adjust to the Tow. direct result of the recent Toods in Cumbria. PUBLISHED BY: Lent should, I feel, come as a shock to the system. It is a journey into CathCom Ltd. the unknown, a sharing in the desert experience of Jesus Christ, a To date £41,817.51 has been received from parishes and other 2/4 Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead, trek with the Chosen People as they wander through the wilderness donors within the Diocese and throughout the country. Haverhill, CB9 7DG to the Promised Land. If Lent doesn’t shake and stir us, doesn’t Contributions of £15,000 have been sent to each of the worst 0870 228 4266 trouble and disturb us, if it leaves us unmoved then, I suggest, we aUected parishes at Cockermouth and Keswick for the beneVt of www.cathcom.org aren’t using it properly; we are missing a God-given opportunity to the parishes and those members of the local community that have grow in our spiritual life. On Ash Wednesday, we are marked with the suUered as a direct result of the Woods. The parish priests of both Articles to: ashes of repentance, a symbol of our desire to have a change of parishes have been given discretion to allocate the funds in heart, to walk more closely with the Lord, to journey with Him each case. [email protected] towards Easter, but also to make progress in our lifelong tramp towards eternal life. In the Ash Wednesday Gospel, Jesus oUers us three walking-aids for that journey, as He says to us, year in and year Letters to: out, “WHEN you give alms…WHEN you fast…WHEN you pray…” [email protected] Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say “IF you give alms…IF you fast…IF you pray…” , nor does He say “When you do one or the other” . He VoiceXtra: takes it for granted that we will do all three. A great deal of drivel has been talked about fasting in recent years. We have been told that [email protected] fasting (or “giving things up” in general) is negative, and that we should only do positive things. What unmitigated balderdash! Tell it Postal Address: to the Marines! Or, better still, tell it to Jesus Christ, and try FAO Edwina Gillett explaining to Him why you want to kick His words into touch. What 99 Commonside, Ansdell, did Jesus do when He was “driven by the Spirit into the wilderness” ? He Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ fasted. Was He being negative? And, if He was, so what? Are we not The problems at Cockermouth have been well publicised where the church, presbytery and hall have been damaged. At Keswick the called by our Baptism to be counter-cultural? Is it not demanded of church lost its power and heat (the boiler was in a cellar which was If possible, please send articles for us that we challenge the soft and self-indulgent spirit of completely Wooded) and the wooden church Woor is badly damaged. publication on CD or by email. Otherwise twenty-Vrst century Western materialism? The Jewish people fast. Bishop Campbell has visited both Cockermouth and Keswick on please type double spacing or write very So do the Muslims. Why have we Catholics suddenly become several occasions in the last few weeks. However, the local clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST too delicate to follow the example of our Master and do the community in the surrounding houses have been devastated again, DAY of the month prior to publication. same? And if we do not fast, how can we properly feast? some having been out of their houses between 2005 and 2007 as a Photographs will be returned if you result of the last Wood. In these cases it has been diXcult for them remember to put your name and address This Lent, at least, let us resolve to stop playing at to obtain full insurance cover or cover without a substantial excess on the back of each and enclose suitable discipleship. Let us journey with Our Lord into the and support may be necessary for the less fortunate in the local stamped and self-addressed packaging. wilderness: let us march bravely with our fellow- community. pilgrims towards the Promised Land. Before Ash The Catholic Voice gratefully acknowledges Wednesday arrives, make three Vrm resolutions: There are many people living in temporary accommodation at a very kind donation from the Sisters of present. If you wish to obtain further information on the Flood Fund Charity of Jesus and Mary, Stella Matutina I will give alms by… I will fast by… I will pray by… please contact the Finance oXce and speak to either Mr Paul Ryan or And may all of us have a fruitful Lent, and a truly Convent, Ansdell towards publishing costs. Mrs Julie Parkinson on 01524 596059. The appeal remains open for joyful Easter. Fr Anthony Keefe, Claughton-on- Brock further donations. www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk February 2010 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3

World WorldWorld WorldWorld WorldWorldWorld World In Need

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places close to home...Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity, without discrimination” Eleanor Roosevelt MAGINE teaching Goldilocks and the Louise, who grew up in Preston, and Chris, Rosa Trelfa, CAFOD Lancaster Diocesan Ithree bears to a classroom full of had to adapt to life in the hot conditions Manager said: “Everyone at CAFOD is really Nigerian children. That is what gap-year of the African country. It has been an proud of Chris and Louise and what they did “Teaching here is very students Louise Cross and Chris White exciting trip, from balancing food sacks over in Nigeria. They are both fantastic to recently experienced working in Nigeria. on their heads to teaching children old work with and they are a great example of diMerent to the UK, mainly favourites like the ‘Hokey Cokey’ and young people making a diUerence in the because they don’t have the Louise, 26, and Chris, 21, are based at ‘Heads shoulders knees and toes’ . Louise world.” Chris and Louise returned to resources. The lessons are St. Mary’s Catholic said: “Teaching here is very diUerent to the in December to continue High School in UK, mainly because they don’t have the working at St. Mary’s Catholic High based on the children Blackpool resources. The lessons are based on the School. You can follow their experiences calling back to the teacher working children calling back to the teacher words via the CAFOD blog at: alongside and repeating phrases.” The children even http://cafodlancaster.wordpress.com/ words and repeating phrases. the school’s refer to their teachers as aunty and uncle category/cafod-lancaster/ chaplaincy to show respect. The school children were (By Rosa Trelfa) team. treated to gifts from Blackpool including As part St. Mary’s PE shirts and ties. The diUerence ” of their in culture was apparent when Louise and year-out Chris went to a church harvest which programme, comprised auctioning cars, goats and ‘Step into the three-piece suites to the highest bidders. Gap’ , with The police patrol the streets with AK-47 CAFOD, Chris machine guns slung over their shoulders. and Louise have been teaching Louise and Chris stayed in a convent in school children Lagos relying on the air conditioning unit in Lagos. to keep cool in sweltering temperatures. Earthquake in Haiti

eople are removing rubble with their bare hands to PSnd survivors in Haiti, where a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale has devastated the capital. It is feared that more than 3 million people could be in need of shelter, food, clean drinking water and medicine.

Picture: ©United Nations Development Programme The earthquake was so strong that it destroyed many buildings including the cathedral, the National Palace and the UN headquarters, as well as hundreds of thousands of homes. It is believed that tens of thousands of people have died The Big Swap! including the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot. Cafod is in position to respond on the ground in Haiti aith groups across the UK and through their church partners, including Caritas Haiti, who are FIreland are being encouraged to assessing the situation and Vnding out what is most needed. swap everyday shopping basket items Because the earthquake has been so destructive, most of the such as tea, coRee, chocolate, cotton roads are impassable so relief helpers are travelling by motorbike tee-shirts, pineapples, bananas, cakes, or on foot to reach the most vulnerable people. sugar and a host of other products for Please pray for those who have died in the disaster and for those Fairtrade ones during Fairtrade still suUering from the devastation. If you can help Vnancially Fortnight 2010 (22 February – 7 March) please use the Cafod envelopes available in your parish or go to which has the theme of ‘The Big Swap’ . http://www.cafod.org.uk/replycoupon for more information. The campaign is simple, everyone is encouraged to Give It Up! permanently swap something – or AFOD is calling supporters to turn biscuits into bicycles several items – in their normal shopping Cand wine into water, to mark the 50th anniversary of it’s basket for a Fairtrade product or two. annual fundraising initiative, Lent Fast Day. These swaps will deliver much greater change for producers from developing This year, the Catholic agency is using the occasion to show countries and help tip the balance of trade people how they can truly make a diUerence with a re-launch of in their favour. The aim is to get people in Lent Fast Day under the theme Give it up! And asking it’s Britain to make one million and one swaps supporters to join them in making this a celebration of what has over the two-week period and change the been achieved and what continues to be achieved in tackling lives of millions of farmers around the world. poverty worldwide. 4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + February 2010 www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk Diocese Diocese Diocese DioceseDioceseAround the Papal Honour for Leo DioceseDioceDioceseDiseocese eo Casey, secretary of the Broughton Catholic Charitable LSociety for the last 15 years has been award the Benemerenti Medal for services in the Catholic community.

Commenting on the award Leo said “it was really for the work of the Broughton Society and all its’ members”.

Early checking of scripts Will at the Tower l-r: Vice-president Brian Hargreaves, Leo Casey, as the teenage Shakespeare a pupil of the martyr Edmund Campion? That is the question posed by a Chairman Fr. Peter new play to be premiered in in February. The play is set in the very place where it is to be Birmingham, Veronica W Casey and President performed: the banqueting hall of Tower, six miles south-east of Preston. John Charnock. Will at the Tower, created and performed by uneasy theatre, tells the story of the young future poet and his encounter with Campion who was regarded as a threat to national security, and was subsequently martyred at Tyburn on 1st December 1581 just months after his possible encounter with a young man who would later become the world’s most famous playwright. It also suggests that Shakespeare’s initial ambition may have been to follow Campion into the priesthood and perhaps even to the scaUold in order to die for his faith. The play’s author and director Pete Hartley explained: “Initially we thought we’d do a fairly light play about the young bard maturing into a man, but once we started our research we realised that the young Will’s time at the Tower would have been far from the idyllic adolescent holiday you might think. In 1580, Hoghton was one of the most dangerous places in the country.”

Many historians and biographers have suggested that the young William Shakespeare stayed at Hoghton during his formative teenage years. Whilst there is no concrete proof of the claim, there is a good deal of circumstantial evidence to suggest that the story may be true. The most persuasive document is the will of Alexander de Hoghton who died in 1581. The will bequeaths “playe clothes” and the services of “Fulke Gyllom and William Shakeshaft” to his brother “if he l-r: Fr Michael McCormack, In 1580, Hoghton was one be minded to keep players” . The surname is something of a problem Cenacolo Chaplain, “ but people were not as precious or precise about such things in President John Charnock of the most dangerous Shakespeare’s time and indeed Will’s father signed his name in and Chairman pla various ways, and there are other clues that seem to back up the Fr. Peter Birmingham. ces in the country. legend. Furthermore there could be another reason why he may have changed his name, for if Shakespeare was there, his visit coincided with intense underground activity in support of the Jesuit mission mounted in response to a cruelly oppressive regime. It was a highly dangerous time. Government spies were Generous cheque for everywhere and the penalties for deliv”ering Catholic sacraments were horriVc. The play is set at a point in the reign of Elizabeth I when she was intensifying her persecution of Catholics. The Cenacolo Community Hoghtons who lived at the Tower and also their relatives at Lea Hall to the west of Preston and Park Hall at Charnock Richard, were staunch Catholics and it is well documented that they sheltered activists that today might be cheque for £3,300 was presented by the Broughton classiVed as “insurgents” . Pete explained, “Our research soon led us to very dark conclusions. If Will was there he cannot ACharitable Society to the Cenacolo community. have been ignorant of the anti-government activity, and some academics have even suggested that was the reason for his visit. Traditions say he was there as a singer or player, or as a tutor. If it was the latter then he would have been teaching Other beneVciaries of the Broughton Charity in 2009 included a within a tradition that was dangerously at odds with the Queen’s policies. He may even have been sent to pursue a career in Liverpool refugee charity, poverty relief, refugees and migrant the priesthood. His parents and their families feature in legal records that imply they were Catholics. One thing is clear, his workers in East Lancashire and charitable projects in Brazil, Africa time at Hoghton coincided with a visit by one of the most wanted men in the country: Edmund Campion.” and Bethleham. In addition two needy individuals were helped.

Campion was an Oxford academic who went abroad, converted to the Catholic faith, was ordained a priest, and returned to serve those who practiced their faith in fear and secrecy. As such he was considered a traitor. Not long after his visit to Lancashire he was captured, tortured and executed at Tyburn. His arrest took place just days before Alexander de Hoghton wrote his will and that may be more than simple coincidence. Pete went on, “The research Golden threw up other coincidences too. Sir Thomas de Hoghton who was actually the owner of the Tower at this time was in exile due to his faith and he died in the year that Shakespeare was there. Also in the same year his daughter Jane was married, whilst her brother was Anniversary It is a possibility that Will in clapped into prison at Salford for being a priest. The hall was taken “ over by Alexander whose will contained more surprises than just the arishioners of St Nicholas was considering a career name of a singer called Shakeshaft, some of which we’ve been able to POwen, Thornton, provided weave into our tale. Of course all this has led us to speculate as to cake and wine for a celebration in the priesthood. whether a winter in Lancashire subconsciously inWuenced the later after Mass, on Sunday, writing of some of Shakespeare’s plays. Some academics have drawn October 18th 2009, to mark parallels between Edmund Campion and the description of the character the Sfty years that Miss of Hotspur in Henry IV part 2. Others have pointed to similarities between the local landscape and settings of parts of The Veronica Atkinson, had been Winter’s Tale and Macbeth, whilst the at”mosphere of spying and paranoid secrecy permeates right through Hamlet, a play in the service of presbyteries that has strong hints of Catholic philosophy in the speeches of the Ghost of Hamlet’s father.” as housekeeper.

“In the end,” said Pete, “our play can only be a Vction, but it has its roots in fact. Both the Hoghton and the Shakespeare She began in 1959 at families suUered as a consequence of the laws forbidding the practice of faiths other than the oXcial Church of . St Walburge's, Preston, and It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Will was considering a career in the priesthood. Perhaps Hoghton was the was there for eleven years place where he changed his mind? Even so, he could not have failed to have been inWuenced by the charismatic faith of before coming to Thornton. Edmund Campion.” There were letters of congratulation from Bishop The public has the chance to see the events at play on the mind of the young William Shakespeare in the very room Michael Campbell and from where it may have taken place. It’s a unique opportunity. Will at the Tower as presented by uneasy theatre can be the Apostolic Nuncio who seen at Hoghton Tower at 7.30pm on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th February 2010. Tickets £12 with all usual also enclosed a rosary concessions at £10, only available from Hoghton Tower. The production is being sponsored by Northern Rail. blessed by Pope Benedict. Call: 01254 852 986 Email: [email protected] Links: www.uneasytheatre.co.uk (from Canon T Dakin) www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk February 2010 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 5 DioceseAroundDioceseDiocethese Diocese Double Celebration DiDioceseoceseDiocese DioceseDiocese for St Anthony's

Preston parish welcomed Bishop Michael twice in one Aweek in November at celebrations marking the past and the future of the parish. SVP members

On Sunday 15 November 1959 the Vrst they like to come back to whenever they can Mass was celebrated in St Anthony of and it has become the centre of so many Padua’s, Preston by Bishop Thomas Flynn community activities”. The church was full, assisted by Bishop Pearson. The church, despite the weather, and 200 people later which cost about £70,000 was designed joined the Bishop in the Social Centre for a by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, architect of hotpot supper and a chance to renew Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, and acquaintance with priests from yesteryear. replaced a succession of private houses and wooden huts which had been used since the parish was founded in 1943. St Wilfrid’s “The people of Fulwood love The man behind the building of the new this church because they church was Fr Michael Geoghegan who SVP Conference: served the parish from its earliest days sacriNced so much time and until 1970. Fr. Dick Kinlen, the current eMort and money to build it. parish priest, said, “The people of Fulwood 150 Years Celebration love this church because they sacriVced so For Nfty years it’s been at much time and eUort and money to build it. the heart of their lives. For Vfty years it’s been at the heart of their lives. It’s where they got married and where t Wilfrid’s Conference in Preston in need of our help. The aged, the lonely, their children were christened. It is where SDistrict Council celebrated their those who have lost their jobs, and the Just two days later, Bishop Michael 150th year as a Conference in the families who are broken because of it. We ” Diocese of Lancaster Central Council. returned to St. Anthony’s - this time to need to show that our Society is always near celebrate the future of our faith and of our in the time of need”. parish as he administered the sacrament Sixty Vve members of other local of ConVrmation on four of our young Conferences and friends attended a At the end of Mass, Conference people. In a heartfelt sermon he likened celebration Mass at St Wilfrid’s on 30th President, Sister Brenda Chesworth, the gifts of the Holy Spirit to ‘a warm October 2009. The homily was given by received a certiVcate of recognition from parental hug - soothing and healing and the Chaplain, Deacon Brother Bill Adams. the President of Lancaster Central strengthening’ . Council Brother Paul Hammond who Brother Bill said that “although poverty had congratulated the Conference, and Celebrants at the Mass to commemorate changed from poverty of 150 years ago, the gave them best wishes from the 50 years of parish life. poor are still with us. There are many people National Council. Record results at Preston school

top performing Preston school had Action Shield’ to head boy Joseph Cobb in Aplenty to celebrate at its annual recognition of his outstanding Prize Night - not least the best set of commitment to the school, local academic results in its 50-year history. community and St Augustine’s parish.

Bishop Campbell was on hand to applaud Joseph is a renowned musician playing in Christ the King School Preston for the wider community, particularly St. recording 65% 5A*-C grade passes for Augustine’s and St. Joseph’s parishes, as GCSEs in 2009. well as at Lancaster Cathedral. He has successfully completed the bronze and “To learn that Christ the King is doing so well silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards and, as is truly wonderful,” said Bishop Michael. a junior sports leader, has worked with “Attending the prize-giving was a joy and pupils at feeder primary schools to Christ you could not help but be impressed with the King. both the atmosphere and the lovely welcome Bishop Campbell extended to everyone.” presenting the ‘Catholic Action Shield to Head teacher Tony Perry said: “We were Joseph Cobb delighted that Bishop Michael was able to be with us on a very special night in a very special year. We are very proud of what is being achieved at Christ the King, across all areas of school life, and we are especially pleased to see our results again improve signiVcantly year-on- year. We have risen from 53% (5A*-C grade passes) to a record 65% in just 12 months.”

Bishop Michael distributed dozens of certiVcates and awards including the ‘Catholic 6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + February 2010 www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk

Advent Retreat

erm ended on a really positive note for Tall the team at Castlerigg Manor, as the Youth Service welcomed back many of the young people who had visited throughout the year and some new faces for the Advent retreat.

Over the weekend we made our own crib Plans for the Youth Service Being a Young Catholic Today scene, prayed with the Christmas story, sang songs and carols around a campVre and he Youth Service exists to serve the young people of the Lancaster Diocese. Loving me for celebrated God’s love with some amazing TThrough on-going support and development of our work we seek to provide ‘Bethlehem’s Got Talent’ performances. So young people with opportunities to develop and nurture their faith. entertaining were they that TV’s X-factor who I am. Vnal wasn’t even mentioned! The weekend drew to a close with a truly joyful ‘Gaudete’ Ensuring young people are aware of their opportunities for pilgrimage at all levels. eing a young Sunday celebration of Mass. When asked personal, local, diocesan, national and Each year an event called “The Big Walk” Catholic isn’t what they would be taking away from the B international presence within the Church takes place, encouraging young people to always easy. These experience the participants commented: we hope young people will experience a enter into a lived and shared journey days it’s hard for ‘time to think’, ‘new friends’, ‘joy’, conVdence’ sense of God working in their lives and an walking across the Lake District over ‘a new insight into my faith’ and ‘the peace young people to say ability to follow His call for them. I am very several days and ending at the Shrine at of Christ.’ “Yes I am a Catholic, I much aware of the generous support of Cleator. There are also plans to explore go to Church”. I contacts in parishes and around the opportunities for pilgrimage both close to especially found this hard. I was Diocese, for young people who wish to home and further aVeld and we appeal to brought up in a loving Catholic UK to Host Global explore the opportunities presented and the support and generosity of many to family, and we went to church sincerely thank those who are able to give help our young people in their endeavours. every Sunday but it became Augustinian this in so many ways. somewhere I didn’t want to be We also wish to support young people in associated with. However, after Youth Gathering Over the next couple of years we hope to opportunities to visit Castlerigg Manor in going to Lourdes I can say that continue to oUer our young people Keswick which provides a unique lived my faith has truly Tourished, and opportunities to explore and live their experience of faith and one, whilst very I can proudly say I am a young oung people and friars from Augustinian faith in many ways. One such way is the close to home, can sometimes be out of Catholic. Yparishes in England and Scotland met place of pilgrimage in the life of faith. As the Vnancial reach of some young people up for a youth weekend at the Augustinian well as organising a group to go to the in our Diocese. We ask for your continued Lourdes, which is now a huge part of convent, Boarbank Hall, Cumbria to World Youth Day event in Madrid in 2011 prayers as we continue to seek the on- prepare for the Augustinian Youth my life, not only allowed my faith to where young people are given a going practical support to allow our young Encounter (AYE) 2010. grow, but it also led to a new life-changing opportunity to share in the people to take up these opportunities. important part of my life – this AYE 2010 is being organised by the Universal Church, we will also continue (Ruth Corless, Director of Youth Services) being Castlerigg Manor. After going Augustinian friars' national youth worker, with organising the Youth section of the in Year 10 with school I absolutely Michela Notarianni, with the help of newly Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes each year. loved it, and so when I heard there appointed AYE assistant Claire Webster and In addition to this we also hope to provide was a volunteer position there I a team of young people and friars from wanted nothing else. I put my around the country. ‘The theme for the whole education on hold and I have found, week will be “I call you friends” which is taken so far, it to be the best decision I from Jesus’ parting message to his disciples in have made. At Castlerigg Manor, I John 15,’ says Michela. “We shall reWect on Step Up to Life have a chance to express and share Jesus’ words, exploring a diUerent aspect of my faith with other young people. friendship each day in the light of Augustine of ast November, a number of the team from Castlerigg and a group of This is such a special opportunity as Hippo’s experience. Young adults from six Lparishioners from Carlisle travelled to the North East to attend ‘The Event’, a I can see how, just like my faith continents will be coming. Many will be old grew, so does that of the young friends from the 2008 youth gathering in weekend conference put on by Hexham and Newcastle Diocese’s Youth Ministry people that I work with. Sydney, Australia, and from earlier youth team featuring live worship music, prayer, drama and lectures. encounters.” The Vrst Augustinian youth During my youth, the greatest encounter was in Leccetto, Tuscany, in 1987, hosted by Augustinian Sisters. They have ‘Step up to Life’ was the motif tying whilst those in her privileged community lesson I have learnt is that God loves been taking place every two to three years together the diUerent talks. The foremost remained largely complacent. She cited me for who I am, and this is since then. speakers were Abbot Christopher Jamison, Scripture and reminded us of our duty to something I always try to get Sister Helen Prejean and Bud Welch. care for the poor. She talked about the through to the group of kids who For more info go to www.aye10.org and value of human life and especially that of come to Castlerigg. I realise now www.augustinians.org.uk , phone 0208 748 Abbot Christopher was familiar to many in those on Death Row, saying that their lives that my faith means so much to me 3254 or e-mail [email protected] attendance after taking part in the BBC were worth more than the one single deed not only because of my family, but documentary’s ‘The Monastery’; a reality for which they had been condemned. also now in my job and my life in TV programme in which six ordinary men general. God is with me in experienced monastic life for forty days Finally Bud Welch talked about how he everything I do; He’s there in the An enthusiastic group of tough times and especially in the young Augustinians and nights. He recounted the story of one had lived out the Gospel’s message of of the participants whose life was forgiveness. Bud lost his daughter in the good times. changed by a religious experience during Oklahoma City bombing. His journey of Laura Raistrick, 19 () his time at Worth Abbey and he also spoke forgiveness eventually led him to meet the about our search for contentment in life, family of Tim McVeigh, the man executed Lourdes played an amazing part in concluding that blinkered pursuit of for planting the bomb. He saw forgiveness Laura’s life. Once again, the Youth pleasure cannot fulVl. as a path, not an event; taking each day Service is oUering this opportunity to gradually and accepting with each new young people from across the diocese Sister Helen has become well-known for day, new grace. to come and serve on the Diocesan her eUorts campaigning against the Death Pilgrimage in July 2009. penalty in America; and indeed her story The conference Vnished with the has become immortalized in the Vlm, celebration of a lively Mass by Bishop Booking forms are on ‘Dead Man Walking’. She spoke stirringly Seamus. We all felt moved by what we had www.castleriggmanor.co.uk and the about living the Gospel, recounting how witnessed and left with a fuller understanding closing date for applications is the she had lived alongside extremely of the kind of forgiveness Jesus calls us to. 29th January 2010. impoverished people in New Orleans, Stephen Harris, 22 (Castlerigg) www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk February 2010 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7 Diocese Diocese Diocese many homes eventually being brought to AroundDiocesethe News in Brief church by the Vnal hosts on Christmas Eve, Ride and DiDioceseoceseDiocese at a special School Vigil Mass. The Travelling DioceseDiocese Crib was presented to the Vrst child in SVP assembly on 30th November to begin its A collection organised by the Westby SVP journey. In this way the parish family Stride 2009 conference at St Anne’s Westby and prepared their selves to make room for the neighbouring St. John’s Kirkham, has Lord in their hearts and their homes this ach year, on the second Saturday in it and we were blessed with brilliant weather. raised £2,085 for the Christmas Gift last Christmas, not just as individuals and September, the National Churches CertiVcate Scheme in support of the SVP families but together as a Christian E I wanted to ride a bit further and visit baby feeding stations in the Sudan. Well Done! community. Trust holds a sponsored bike ride to Eagland Hill, Out RawcliUe and Hambleton, raise money for the trust and for local but we had to get back to to ‘man’ CWL churches. Last year the Srst such ride the church… never mind … next year”. Ping Pong Success was held in Lancashire, with 16 riders A branch meeting was held at St Peter’s Congratulations to the Table Tennis teams visiting churches across , from There was also a group which took part, Lytham attended by 58 members. Revs Frank who did so well in the recent Cumbria Preston to Knott End, from Kirkham to called ‘Preston on Wheels’. They are cycle Flynn, and Anthony Ashcroft were in Schools’ Championships. The Boys and Girl . And they raised over £1,000. initiative charity with a focus on health attendance. Members were encouraged to under 11 teams from St Columba’s and the support the Cardinal Winning - Pro Life under 13 Boys and under 16 Girls from St. improvement, disability opportunities and initiative and the national charity Help the Bernard’s are Cumbria County Champions The event, was billed as a ‘ride and stride’ , social inclusion, and they turned out with Heroes. There were reports from Lytham, and go onto the North West Finals in . encouraging walkers as well. As last year it four riders and two leaders. Penrith, Ulverston and Blackpool. And it was was also part of the LCC programme of noted that members from Ulverston had Year of the Priest rides, and part of the Church’s ‘Hope’ The date for 2010 is Saturday 11th visited the Cenacolo community and campaign, as it provides an opportunity to September, and it is hoped that the Seventy women from the Diocese donated many large boxes of tinned and number of churches involved and the spent a day at the Little Sisters of make some contact with people who have dried foods. Nineteen members from the Poor in Preston to enjoy a day of little awareness of the good news of God’s geographical area covered will increase. the diocese attended the National prayer and reWection with Mgr. love and transforming power. AGM in Torquay attended by a Canon Aidan Turner. He Organiser Peter Lumsden said “I see this total of 609 members. The explained the story behind a Ten churches across the Fylde, from ride as potentially serving a number of theme of the meeting was the statue of the Cure d'Ars and a Woodplumpton to Knott End were purposes; as well as the opportunity to raise Armed Forces and the charity young boy “St. John Vianney, cold involved, together with twelve across money for the churches trust and local Help the Heroes was promoted wet and weary, asked the boy the Preston city centre. One rider commented churches, it is an opportunity to promote as the CWL charity for 2010. way to Ars. The boy showed him the cycling, and the health beneVts of cycling, The charity is non political and that “ the ride and the weather were way, and the Cure replied ' Now I will as well.” raises funds to help injured military. beautiful, the tea and biscuits very welcome show you the way to heaven.' He said “this was at all the places we visited, and it was a a good deVnition of the roll of the priest, Travelling Crib wonderful 62 miles. But best of all was pointing to Jesus as the Way, Vnding Jesus being able to get back to St Walburgh's at As part of their Advent preparation, St John everywhere, especially in the sacriVce of the the end of the 62 miles to be able to climb Vianney’s school invited pupils and their Mass, where all the church visible and invisible the tower before it closed. What a way to families to make room for the Vgures of gathers to sing the praises of the Lamb of Vnish the day”. Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds, God”. A Mass for Priests, celebrated by Mgr. sheep and kings. Each home made room for Aidan Turner and Canon Nick McArdle the crib for one night then returned the crib concelebrated a Mass for Priests during Other riders covered churches in the to school so that it could be passed on to which Canon McArdle gave the homily on north, including Lisa from Stalmine: another home for the next night. By the importance of preaching and teaching in “Thank you for organising the Lancashire Christmas day the crib had travelled around the life of the Priest. Churches cycle ride. We thoroughly enjoyed 8 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + February 2010 www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk Faith Faith Faith FaithFaithFaith FaithFaithFaith KSC Prayer Competition A success in round this time of year people make New Year’s resolutions, such as quitting smoking or going on a diet or exercising regularly. These are all very good commitments, but I third place overall for a prayer written by A Cumbria want to make an altogether diMerent type of resolution – student Richard Ferris. On Tuesday 24th How do I become holy? What is holiness? November 2009 the Provincial Grand Knight Sincerely Emily. s an educator I work in an insightful Barry Johnston came into St Benedict’ to Aand humbling position in our society. present the three prizes to students as well Dear Emily, as Richards’ third place prize overall from Thank you for your question about holiness. As every Knight of St Columba knows we run the National KSC round. All of the students a National Youth Prayer competition; this and the RE department are looking forward Holiness is, perhaps, one of the most important realities of our faith, but also often year the selected theme for the competition to Youth Prayer 2010 competition and are misunderstood. The Second Vatican Council reminded us, in its Decree on the Church, that was the ‘Family’. I often hear about the, constantly asking what the theme will be. every member of the Church is called to holiness, i.e. to be a saint. Holiness therefore is not ‘hoody’ generation who have no sense of The other Past Provincial Grand Knights also to be regarded as the presence of a small elite. Its necessary, to clear away some common community or spirituality; however the present; namely Stephen Scott, John preconceptions about what it means to be a holy person, and to establish clearly the nature participation and input of the young people Doran and Mick Carter; at the ceremony of true holiness as revealed in Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church. from across the County clearly helps to commented upon how wonderful it was to dispel this image. Students from St Benedict’s see the spirituality of the children of St Sometimes we think of a holy person as someone who spends all their time in prayer; Catholic High School were given the Benedict’s on display and how well the detached from ordinary life, and practising high degrees of mortiVcation, penance and opportunity to write a prayer. In this day and prayers submitted expressed the core beliefs self-denial. Our reaction can be: “I could never do all that, therefore holiness is impossible to age the media would have us believe that and values that we all share as Catholics. me.” This impression is sometimes fuelled by certain biographies of the saints, in which piety we might get one or two responses for a edits-out the details of a saints’ struggles and diXculties. I’m not saying that deep prayer, a competition such as this if we were lucky, Our children should be really proud of their true spirit of detachment from material things, and penance aren’t part of sanctity; just that however over 500 of our students wrote a eUorts and as a result of this I am in the there’s more to it than simply a list of practices. Even the greatest saint began with the same prayer and participated in the competition. process of putting together a book of advantages and disadvantages as ourselves, and only reached the heights of holiness by selected student prayers, with a forward persevering in the hum drum circumstances of their lives, making progress which could be They talked about the love, care and support written by John Doran, a Past Supreme slow and diXcult. of their families; they talked about praying Grand Knight. I, on behalf of the Knights of and giving succour to those whose families St Columba, would like to thank Ann Brook, Of course, only God is holy. In the Gloria at Mass we say “You are alone are the Holy One” , and were less well oU than their own. Fr Matthew Headteacher of St Benedict’s and The RE so a holy person is one who becomes as like to God as it is possible for a human being to be of St Begh’s Parish, on behalf of Council 74 department for their continued support and in this life. St John tells us that God’s very nature is love ( “God is love” ), and so the essence of Whitehaven, Province 6 selected three help in running and suggesting various holiness is love, the gift of divine love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Therefore prayers. As a Province we were lucky enough initiatives. when you love God and neighbour as deeply, fully and perseveringly as you can, you become to be rewarded at a National level with a Brother Ian Nevitt KSC Province 6 - Cumbria a holy person, a saint-in-the-making. Once this principle is operative in our lives, the details follow – prayer, recollection, Eucharistic life, Reconciliation (when we fall or fail), little sacriVces for the love of God, and the desire to seek the good of our neighbour in all circumstances.

Certain aspects of holiness apply to all the members of the Church, but each of us is called to apply them in our own particular situation in life, e.g. how do I love, with the love of Christ, the person at work whom I dislike, or Vnd diXcult to get on with? How do I Vnd time for prayer in a busy schedule? How do I help myself when faced with temptation of one kind or another? Also, holiness involves struggling with the weakness of our human nature, with the tendency to invoke God only when convenient for ourselves and forget Him otherwise, and take the easier path.

Much more could be said about holiness and its presence and implications for our life, but I hope the fore-going has helped. Ruth Burrows writes, “Let us remind ourselves over and over again that holiness has to do with the very ordinary things; truthfulness, courtesy, kindness, gentleness, consideration for others, contentment with one’s lot, honesty and courage in the face of life, God Bless, reliability, dutifulness” Now there’s a start! Fr. Seraphim.

ConSrmation for Bethan

ethan Tempest, a pupil from St Pius X BPreparatory School in Preston, has received the Sacrament of ConSrmation from the Bishop Michael Campbell. Fr. Norman Johnston was in attendance.

The ceremony, at the Blessed Sacrament, in face glowed and her eyes sparkled when she Ribbleton, was attended by Bethan’s mother spoke of Him. Rose worked hard to support and aunty. Bethan, 11, who has attended St her poor parents and she humbly obeyed Pius on Road since she was just them. There were times when Rose had to two-years-old, was given the conVrmation suUer a feeling of terrible loneliness and name Rose. She gave a short talk on Saint sadness, for God seemed far away. But she Rose, which she also shared with other cheerfully oUered all these troubles to Him. pupils during a whole school assembly. In her last long, painful sickness, this heroic young woman use to pray: “Lord, increase my St. Rose of Lima suUerings, and with them increase Your love in Rose was a beautiful baby and as she grew my heart. ” Rose was the Vrst American to be older, she became more and more beautiful. canonised. She is the patroness of Latin But Rose did not want to be admired. Instead America and the Philippines. And her feast all she wanted was to follow Jesus and her day is 30th August. www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk February 2010 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Your research was incomplete as you Hurrah for the return of the letters page! Morecambe, in plain terms, is a distressed omitted that one woman has been killed They were the best feature of The Voice so area. Last summer the sole remaining SVP in action in Afghanistan (editorial please publish the most stimulating and conference still operating there, had just December 2009). She was Corporal Sarah provocative as did your predecessor. three members. The president, male, aged Bryant of the Intelligence Corps who came 48 had a 79 and 81 year old playing their from Brampton, Carlisle and whose death John Muter part, also male. occurred earlier this year. Carlisle An emergency arose with a family running short of food, this outside the parish Dear Editor boundaries, but assorted groceries were My youngest son has a genetic disorder, which means he has numerous mental physical provided post-haste. A similar crisis need to and sensory disabilities. I have taken my son to church ever since he was born. My son is feed another family was met in the happy at church and will often clap along to the hymns or shout at our priest during his autumn. sermon. It is one of the few places I can take him to and he seems totally at easy with Your letters everything and everyone. Come the winter three others, two of them How to send us ladies, proved a much needed your letters: When it was time for my son to make his Vrst communion, I went along with the other reinforcement. With the active support of parents to the classes. It was with some sadness that our priest of the time told us that he the parish priest over seventy home visits Write to: felt my son should not make his communion as he felt he should understand what the were made in the run up to Christmas, with The Editor, giving and receiving of communion was all about. Whilst I did not agree with our priest’s a small gift as to a bar of chocolate and a 99, Commonside, views I did actually understand and respect his decision. I had many discussions with God card welcoming the holy season. Ansdell, asking that my son be allowed to make his communion. Lytham St. Annes, The eUect was electric. Cold weather FY8 4DJ. It was decided that it might be possible for our son to receive communion with some notwithstanding, those smiles and gratitude support and education. Sadly before this could happen our priest was moved. The new provided all the warmth needed. It is a good Email to: priest decided that we should work together so that, in time, my son could receive start. Please say a prayer for us. [email protected] communion. But again our priest was moved. I had one of my lengthy and heated discussions with God asking him that when if ever it was possible just let my son be God bless you. • Please keep your letters concise “normal” and receive communion even if it was only once. Gwilym Bowen (max 300 words), Secretary Along came another priest and at communion my son went up for a blessing. Our new Good Shepherd and St Mary’s Conference • Include your full name and address priest, who did not know my son, oUered and my son took communion. Just like that, no • Letters should not include any fuss, no to do, just a simple act and my boy had made his Vrst communion. It was so personal criticism or attacks spontaneous and I hugged my boy, who just said “thank you” . My son now receives Dear Editor, • The editor reserves the right to: communion, which he calls “special bread” regularly. All the planning in the end did not This is just a note to say Congratulations for - amend or shorten letters or to matter nor did the white shirt and red tie. What was important was that he had received the beautiful presentation of the Catholic refuse to publish them (no our Blessed Lord. I believe that God does move in mysterious ways. I also think God waited Voice. It is most attractive. correspondence to discuss decisions until our son was ready. God knew that the simpler the better was in fact, the best, way taken will be entered into) that it could of happened. Thank you and God bless you, - publish a response if deemed Sisters Margaret and Kathleen, appropriate A Very Happy Mum X Holy Family Parish, Blackpool. (name and address supplied & letter abridged by the Editor)

Thank you for your honest and frank letter. The Vrst thing to say is that the sick and handicapped have a special place in the Church because Our Lord particularly loves them and identiVes with them. So it is good to learn that you and your son feel such a sense of belonging in your parish community.

Having said this, the succession of parish priests that recommended that your son be prepared for Holy Communion in a way that took into account his needs were correct. First Holy Communion, along with Baptism and ConVrmation, is a sacrament of initiation that will take your son into a deeper relationship with the Lord and His Body, the Church. This is why a process of preparation is so important. Even though he has ‘accidentally’ received communion, he would still beneVt from a catechesis tailored to his speciVc needs.

Bollywood comes to Heysham

ugust 2009 saw a touch of eastern Aglamour at Heysham's St Patrick’s.

A Bollywood night organised by Patricia Lee was a great success with guests dressed as their favourite celebrities. The Bollywood crowd was diverse and included Miss Piggy, Paris Hilton, Princess Di as well as an Indian Rajah, Rani, Oil The evening raised over £2000. Half the Sheikh and one of his harem. Everybody money went to the Little way Association. enjoyed an Indian buUet style meal The other half went to Jessie's Curry Aid cooked by Jessie Oddy. fund, and will be distributed among poor schools and orphanages in Tamil Nadu, South India. Jessie would like to thank everybody involved, especially Patricia and Billy Lee for their huge eUort and unstinting generosity. She is looking forward to next year, assuming that somebody is kind enough to invite her to do the same again! 10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + February 2010 www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk Diocese Diocese Diocese DioceseDioceseAround the DioceseDioceDioceseDiseocese Military Funeral

he full military funeral of Cpl. Loren-Owen Christopher TMarlton-Thomas took place at St Joseph’s, Ansdell on 8th December following his death in Afghanistan in November.

Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr. Harry Holden and concelebrated by Canon Alf Hayes. Rev. Cole Maynard (divisional Army Chaplain) proclaimed the Gospel and gave a blessing.

So many people attended the funeral the Mass that people were standing in the aisles in addition to the Mass being relayed to around 100 people in the church hall with many more people simply standing in the grounds. Cpl. Marlton–Thomas was a former pupil of St Peter’s primary school Lytham and the Lytham St. Annes High School. Both schools were represented at the Mass and took part in the OUertory procession. Mrs Pat Moss (parishioner) who taught Loren at primary school read from Romans (8:14-23). Bugler Jason Betts sounded the last post as the coXn left the church.

Commanding OXcer Lieut Col D.W. Southall described Loren as one of the most “irrepressible and positive junior commanders you could meet” . Loren was killed in an explosion as he cleared a route for troops in Helmand Province on 15th November. May he rest in peace.

Away Day to Brettargh Holt

ast October Year 7 from Christ the LKing school, Preston took part in an away day trip to Brettargh Holt.

This annual trip is a way for pupils to create new and cement existing friendships away from the school environment. For the Vrst time the trip also included a Year 7 group from Holy Cross, with both groups taking Cathedral parishioners part in diUerent activities run by the centre and then taking part in a walk around the local deer park. Special travel to Rome acknowledgement needs to be given to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation who helped to fund this trip to Brettargh Holt.

ack in October a group of the tomb of St Paul. The group also Bparishioners from the Cathedral celebrated Mass in the newly-restored travelled to Rome on a pilgrimage, chapel at the Venerable English College. which took place as part of the Cathedral’s 150th anniversary St Peter’s Basilica celebrations. Rome was a particularly special destination for the pilgrims, as the The Papal Audience Cathedral is dedicated to St Peter. While in The group travelled to St Peter’s Square Rome the group had a chance to visit the for the Pope’s Wednesday morning tomb of their patron in St Peter’s Basilica, General Audience, and were close enough the largest and most famous church in the to get some good pictures! It was a real world. There was also an opportunity to highlight when the parish group was celebrate Mass in one of the chapels of announced and Pope Benedict waved in the Basilica, close to St Peter’s remains, the direction of the pilgrims. Other high and Mass was also celebrated at the points of the week included a visit to Catacombs. A great week was had by all Subiaco, where St Benedict founded his and it was a Vtting Vnale to a year of Vrst monastic community, and a visit to celebrations at the Cathedral. www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk February 2010 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11 God wrote on your wall...

f God sent you an invitation to be his friend on Bebo or Facebook, what would Iyou do? Would you accept it, say no, or just ignore it?

The Star Letter winner is - Growing up in the Christian faith is just Have a look at this website for ideas. that, an invitation from God to be his http://www.kidprintables.com/bibleverses/ Rosalind Gornall , Claughton on Brock. Rosalind wins a £20 book token. friend. Lent is a good time to accept his Spend a few minutes each day networking invitation, even if you have said no before with God. Why not give it a try? or ignored it. The word Lent comes from vourite an Anglo-Saxon word, ‘Lencten’ meaning Give! My Fa Spring or the month of March, as this is People often think Lent is about giving About when Lent most often falls. Spring is a something up. It’s good to go without Things time of new birth and growth; that’s why something, but it doesn’t have to be the Lent is a good time to grow in friendship same old thing like giving up sweets! A with God as well. more positive thing might be to give your ol time instead. That can cost more, as it Scho How can you become friends with cost Jesus more to give up his time to be with his people who needed him. Is there God this Lent? anything you could do this Lent to help I’ll suggest 3 practical things you could try: someone else? Think of others, not yourself. That’s the real secret of being a Pray! friend, of God, accepting the idea of JOY, Maybe that’s not a very cool word for Jesus Vrst, then Others, then Yourself! children and teenagers today but it’s the n best way of communicating with God. You Choose to be converted! o can try texting and emailing God but He ompetiti When Harry Potter is worrying about the C doesn’t live in a virtual world. Maybe we similarities between himself and My name is Rosalind and I go to can see our prayer as our ‘twittering’ or Voldemort, Dumbledore gives him some St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. ‘tweeting’. God actually wants us to talk to very good advice. “It is our choices, Harry, I like school because I learn things him, listen to him, share our ideas with that show us what we truly are, far more every day and I see my friends. My him, however short our ‘texts’ to him may than our abilities.” Be diUerent, don’t favourite subject is art because I like be. Maybe he actually wants to know if you follow the crowd, and choose to do creating things. I like the clubs that I prefer ‘Team Jacob’ to ‘Team Edward’ in something that makes you think about go to, sports club and cookery club the ‘Twilight Saga’, or even which football preparing for Easter and not just eating and I like my teachers. Every team you support! One of the things you Easter eggs. You don’t have to do what Christmas we put on a nativity play could do during Lent is to make a prayer other people do, because you can be the and this year I am an innkeeper. I am space in your room. It could be something child of God you are called to be, and learn 6 years old and when I am older I very simple; a candle, a picture, something to be a bit more like Jesus this Lent. You would like to be a teacher. from nature or a children’s version of the can choose to become a better person. It Bible which you could read. might mean being nicer to your friends and family and not saying things behind people’s backs. It might even mean being careful about the way we speak to each other. It doesn’t have to be a big thing either.

Lent – This Is it! This is your chance. R U ready? Lent Wordsearch

Try the word search with Lenten ideas.

Lent / Forgiveness / Desert / Devil / Alms / Jesus / Giving / Prayer / Gospel / Fasting / Return / Love / Cross / Holy week / Confession /

FRMMZFUXJSNH ABCULOVELTOW Wanted for the SUSE JBCHEC IG Missions TBREYARPPCS I

I JHUQFXTSESV Large Statues (Even damaged ones), NXKEEWYLOHE I old vestments, pictures, GNRUTERLGWFN church fittings, rosaries,

JCTNELYLVONG prayer books, etc.

SRSXLAI ZNUOA Please ring Mr. B. Ferris KSC, TOJWVVRYXTCL 102 Moor St, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6EY SSENEV IGROFM Tel: 02476 676986 ISFDDESERTOS 12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + February 2010 www.catholicvoiceoWancaster.co.uk OR to the Tee!

t Bernadette’s GolSng Society, Bispham rounded oR their season with a well Sattended dinner at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club.

Captain Ken Hulme in his humorous The annual challenge match against Our speech welcomed members and guests Lady’s GolVng Society was played in Teachers including Fr. Stephen Pearson and several brilliant warm sunny weather at Ashton & with their members from Our Lady’s GolVng Society Lea Golf Club, Preston in August and wheels St Annes, with their Captain Michael despite a magniVcent performance the Wormleighton. opposition were at their very best and retained the Bernard Higgins trophy. On Your Bike! Trophy winners received their prizes from the Captain at the dinner: St Bernadette’s Society was founded in The Captain himself won the Carey Cup at 1991 by Fr. Edmund Carey, who shortly ix staR members from Christ the The chosen charity was St. Catherines Garstang Golf Club; the Captain’s prize after moved, to Our Lady Star of the Sea, SKing Preston took part in a charity Hospice. Barbara Conroy events manager played for at Gathurst Golf Club went to St.Annes and immediately set about bike ride recently. at St. Catherines visited the school to Aaron Wall and the D. S. Brown Trophy was forming a Golf Society in his new parish. collect the cheque for £426 and said Mr Perry, Mr Callagher, Mr Jackson, Mrs won by Kevin Caldwell at Fishwick Golf New members are always welcome, “It costs over £7 a minute to run the Furnell, Mrs Baggaley,and Mrs Chew Club. The “Player of the Year” trophy was please contact the Secretary Ray Hoyle on Hospice and voluntary contributions won by Adam Brown. 01253 351864. started their long journey from Old TraUord Manchester and Vnished on like this are so important. A big thank Blackpool’s South Promenade. you to the staM for their cheque.” WHY NOT LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR SCHOOL IS UP TO! Football Player of the Year Adam Brown drives oU in pouring rain at Garstang Golf Club watched by Aaron Wall and Garry Kendrick. Friendly

Fr. John Foulkes & Eggheads Challenge ur youth engaged in a football Linda Wisdom. Ofriendly against the youth of the Liverpool archdiocese in October. The 009 saw a record turnout from for the Annual Deanery Quiz event was held at Corpus Christi Catholic 2held at St Kentigern’s, Blackpool. Sports College.

Over 80 parishioners from across Blackpool and a team from St A thoroughly exciting end to end game was Mary’s Catholic College faced a general knowledge quiz, a taste quiz, played in good spirits and enjoyed by all who where they had to identify the Wavour of crisps and a picture quiz. It took part. Both teams are now looking was an enjoyable evening rounded oU by a hot pot supper. The forward to a re-match over in Liverpool. winners were St Cuthbert’s Parish, Lytham Rd.

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