'He Died So That We Might Be Saved'

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The Oﬃcial Newspaper to INSIDE: p05 No Peace without Reconciliation the Diocese of Lancaster p08 A closer look at St Alban’s, St Annes Issue 257 + March 2014 p10 Live the Faith Courageously!

‘He died so that we might be saved’

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• Fasting, almsgiving and good works

Let Jesus into your life and see the diﬀerence He can make to it 2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2014 www.catholicvoiceoﬂancaster.co.uk

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DESIGN & LAYOUT: Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative 01253 730343 [email protected] www.hot-creative.co.uk True Reform PUBLISHED BY: CathCom Ltd. N2 Blois Meadow Business Centre, Blois Road, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7BN 020 7112 6710 / www.cathcom.org in the Church Articles to: [email protected] EDITORIAL Letters to: t Francis of Assisi has received renewed attention since the St Francis sometimes scandalized his brothers because he always Sarrival of Pope Francis to the See of Peter. Following his insisted on fidelity and obedience to the Holy Father and [email protected] conversion St Francis lived the Gospel in a time, in fact, much reverence for priests and bishops – even the ones whose sins like our own – involving great political and social meant they didn't really deserve it! What Francis heard from VoiceXtra: unrest, great confusion and yes, sinfulness in the Church. Jesus on the Cross of San Damiano was not “replace my Church” [email protected] Francis lived the Gospel radically – without gloss, without or “reinvent my Church,” but “rebuild my Church.” And he did that excuses, without interpretations to make discipleship easier in the only way that lasts – one stone at a time, with the ‘living or more comfortable. stones’ of his own life and the lives he changed through his Postal Address: powerful personal witness. FAO Edwina Gillett Francis was a radical or revolutionary in the truest sense of the 99 Commonside, Ansdell, words. He wanted a radical commitment to holiness from his Inspired by St Francis and our current Holy Father who bears his Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ brothers. Remember holy doesn't mean good, and it certainly name the Catholic Voice of Lancaster believes that if we want to doesn't mean nice – although holy people are always good, and be disciples and make new disciples; if we want to rebuild the Please send articles for publication on CD they’re also frequently nice. Holy means “ other than. ” Francis was Lord's Church in the shadow of our own limitations and sins, or by email, supplying any photos separate different, as his Lord was different. Francis wanted to live in the Church scandals and setbacks; we need to understand that to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise presence of God, as his Lord did. He wanted to live and act in new approaches, programmes and reforms in the Church will please type double spacing or write very ways “ other than ” the ways of this world. certainly be important. However, without saints, without our own clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST radical conversion nothing we do will work. Without holy men DAY of the month prior to publication. What distinguished Francis from all the other reformers of his and women on fire with Jesus Christ, in love with His Church, Photographs will be returned if you day was one simple thing. He understood that he could never and zealous in preaching the Catholic faith through their remember to put your name and address live out his love for God alone, or even with a just a group of words and actions, nothing of our own hands alone will on the back of each and enclose suitable friends. He needed that larger family of faith – the one that ever work. stamped and self-addressed packaging. Jesus founded. He never allowed himself or his brothers to separate the Gospel from the Church, or indeed the Church from Finally, we can't give what we don't have. If Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ. an authentic Catholic identity don't burn in the interior cathedral of our hearts, we can never possibly rebuild the Francis was always a son of the Church – just like the current external life of the Church in the world – never mind Pope who bears his name has declared for himself. And as a son, transform the world! www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2014 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 3

t Joseph’s primary school, Wesham, is pleased to announce Sthe appointment of Mrs Cate Gili-Ross as headteacher from January this year. Mrs Gili-Ross takes over from Mrs Margaret Wright who retired in December after 28 years at New Catholic the school. Born in Lytham in 1970 Mrs Gili-Ross was educated at St Peter’s primary school and St Bede’s High School Lytham before moving to sixth form education at Newman College in Preston. She attended the Catholic University of Trinity & All Saints Leeds where she graduated with a BA Hons (English) and obtained her Headteacher Qualiﬁed Teacher Status.

Her ﬁrst teaching post was at St Wilfrid’s Preston and following a short spell in Australia where she taught at Pultney Grammar in Adelaide she returned to the UK in 2000 and a two day supply post at St Joseph’s and never left! Mrs Gili-Ross was appointed assistant headteacher at the school six years ago and feels it is a privilege to now succeed Mrs Wright as headteacher.

“St Joseph’s is a fantastic school. It is small (96 children on the Roll) in comparison to some schools but there is a strong sense of Catholicity throughout that binds the children, families, staff, governors, parish and wider community together” she said. “The school is guided by the instruction of Jesus ‘love one another’ which is communicated firstly by the example set by the teaching staff and by their articulation of the message which in turn sets the expectation for the children.”

Five years ago Mrs Gili-Ross was sponsored by the diocese to attend a Catholic Leadership Course which she said “gave me time to reﬂect on my own faith, a sort of time out which reignited my passion for the faith and in turn my role as someone who passes on the faith to others.” She said “There was a particular charismatic priest leading one of the sessions who said that ‘time’ was something many people think is in short supply as they grapple with the pressures of everyday life. But if you think that you haven’t got time to develop your faith, dedicate 20 minutes a day to build your relationship with God and you will soon ﬁnd that you have an hour to spare for the purpose.”

Mrs Gili-Ross is married to Ian (vice chair Governor’s at St Peter’s School Lytham) and they have two children Grace and Nathaniel.

It is Finished This hand-carved Altar was donated to school by Mrs Lord you said on the cross Wright to mark it is finished, it is finished, her retirement Finished, is it? I don’t think in December. so. Not until the funny little woman on the Friday bus means more to me than I do to myself, Not until I read aright the message of your pain filled eyes. That I must take the ones you loved and left behind to live with me as my responsibility. Not until I freely place my stock of cherished certainties like sad surrendered weapons at your injured feet. Not until the public and the private faces of my troubled Christianity can meet and know they recognised each other when they met. Not until I know half the names of the people in my street. Finished? No. I don’t think so, not yet. Adrian Plass 4 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2014 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk

Being a Young Catholic Today Julia, 22, Hyning Hall Olympic

Take from our souls the strain Cross and stress on was a former member of the team at Castlerigg and met the Joshua Camp, the Catholic outreach project, ministering at Jhis wife through his work at Castlerigg. He is now working at the Olympic Games. Alton Castle, the youth centre for the Archdiocese of am Julia from Germany and I’m Birmingham. In this article he speaks of how a re-discovered This portable cross ran along similar lines to my earlier piece ‘the I22 years old. For the past one and love for art has taken on global proportions which he never Body of Christ’ cross as it was made of several timbers. I chose to a half years I have been a helper expected. use 12 different timbers from across the world to create the at Hyning Monastery. I grew up in cross so as to represent the 12 disciples who were commanded a very Christian family with my In 2010 I married my wife Sara and within weeks we discovered to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19) . The parents and two sisters. that we were pregnant and we would now be a family of three. Olympic Cross has the same purpose: while each individual part Deep within me a change began: I would soon be a dad and that may be rich with character, the whole is greater than the sum In 2005 I was healed from a very gave me permission to tell bad jokes, “dad-dance” at parties and, of its parts. Each timber was carefully selected for its colour, difficult and long-lasting illness after most of all, it opened up opportunities to do DIY! texture, history and for the part of the world it represents. These prayer. Through this experience my are as follows: Ash (North America) , London Plane (England) , faith became very strong. I knew I Some years ago I had worked as an artist with great success. Siberian Larch (Russia) , Tree of Heaven (China) , Olivewood (Holy could trust God and I never wanted Always wanting to sculpt I had never really found the opportunity Land) , Gimlet (Australia) , Rosewood (India) , Pink Ivory (South to walk without Him. and so I stuck to paint and canvass, but all that has changed Africa) , Thuya Burr (North Africa) , Lignum Vitae (Argentina) , since becoming a dad. Never one to start off small, I decided to Purpleheart (Brazil) , and Blue Mahoe (Jamaica) . The timbers At Hyning I decided to become a sculpt an 8 ft high cross made of 72 different pieces of timber chosen to make up the three-step base into which the Cross member of the Catholic Church, (cf. Luke 10) . It was a true Body of Christ cross, symbolizing Jesus’ stands are: Sycamore (faith) , Spalted Beech (hope) and Paduk having thought a lot about it over historical form and humanity on the cross, representing the (love) , each one chosen deliberately to emulate something of the last few years. To live and to work Church of the disciples called and chosen, and was made each virtue. Whilst the Cross was designed specifically for the with the gentle and kind Bernardine complete with the cross becoming a monstrance, and being Olympic Games in London, it has taken on a life of its own and is Sisters at Hyning, with the daily able to hold the Eucharist for adoration. now the property of the Vatican who are promoting it so as to spirituality of the community and bring a missionary dimension to the Olympic experience. Much many fruitful encounters with the In 2011 I was commissioned by ‘More than Gold’ an ecumenical to my surprise, I found that the cross was blessed by Pope Francis guests and friends of the Monastery, group of charities responsible for ministering to the London himself in the Town Hall of Rio de Janeiro last summer, and is now has been very enriching for my life. Olympics 2012. They asked me to create a symbol of faith for the being paraded around Brazil as a focus for prayer in the run-up I’m very grateful about this. summer of 2012. This creation would become a central focus for to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic prayer and would provide a centre point for those involved with Games in Rio. Jon Cornwall, 26 w w w . c a t h o l i c outh Sudan: no peace without reconciliatiov n o i c

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5 6 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2014 www.catholicvoiceoﬂancaster.co.uk RISE Theatre presents Soldier to Saint

fter a successful students in a series of ALondon run in 2011, dynamic drama workshops and following their 2013 and presentations, RISE Summer tour, RISE theatre will be taking to the Theatre is reviving its stage in Blackpool once ground-breaking one-act again. This time, for one The Good Thief play “Soldier to Saint” , night only and Holy Family bringing this challenging Church will play host to This day you will be with me & thought-provoking “Soldier to Saint” . RISE are in Paradise, My Father will drama to the very excited to be bringing this heart of Blackpool! inspirational play straight set us free. Thank you to your doorstep, offering for speaking out for me, The play is immersed in the a unique way to explore the journey My Father has made you see. gritty world of London 2020, where to faith. religious expression has been made illegal and a city is in crisis. As Christians are “Soldier to Saint” is coming to Holy Family He has not left me all alone. forced into hiding and rioting hits the Church, Blackpool on Tuesday 25th March He has heard every groan. streets, a soldier – John Alban, strikes an 2014 at 7:30pm. The Spirit has heard your unlikely friendship with a fugitive priest, every word. We’ll be as a friendship that could cost him his life. Don’t miss out, for tickets, visit: www.risetheatre.ticketsource.co.uk/ free as a bird. For such a time as this, John Alban must For more details please call St Mary's now make a choice between his old way of Catholic College Chaplaincy on 01253 You have testified for me, on life or following a new path – a path that 442591 or [email protected] Earth. I will testify for you, will change his life forever. Rise Theatre will also be performing before my Father and his Performed by RISE Theatre, “Soldier to ‘Soldier to Saint’ in Preston on Saturday angels in heaven. You will Saint” brings to life the inspirational true 12th April 2014 at St Walburge’s Parish live forever with us. Your story of Saint Alban, England’s first Hall, PR2 2QE at 7.30pm (Doors at 7pm) . story is written in Golgotha, Christian martyr – a compelling tale of For more information about this venue courage, friendship and sacrifice. or to buy tickets please contact the and your future, in Paradise. Metanoia Project on 07957 566741, Following the success of the Mission week [email protected] or T. Booth, Kirby Lonsdale last year at St Mary’s Catholic College, www.metanoiaproject.co.uk where you where the theatre company led over 1200 can also buy tickets online. www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2014 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 7

Your letters How to send us your letters: 63 years Write to: The Editor, 99, Commonside, Ansdell, service “I want to embrace Lytham St. Annes, FY8 4DJ. the world in a

Email to: network of charity” [email protected] for the SVP (Bl. Frederic Ozanam)

• Please keep your letters concise (max 300 words), ill Adams, Preston, has celebrated 63 years as a serving SVP was founded by Frederic Ozanam). • Include your full name and address Bmember of the St Vincent de Paul society. • Letters should not include any Bill was the ﬁrst Deacon to be ordained in the Diocese of personal criticism or attacks His years of service were recognized at a festival evening held at Lancaster, over 31 years ago and in addition to serving as • The editor reserves the right to: St Wilfrid’s, in January . As a member of the society, Bill has Deacon at St Wilfrid’s, Bill acts as spiritual advisor to their SVP - amend or shorten letters or to worked extensively in local prisons, hospitals, hospices and the conference and to the Preston and District council. refuse to publish them (no old St Vincent’s orphanage, in Preston. correspondence to discuss decisions The St Vincent DePaul Society recently gained national taken will be entered into) Following Mass a hot pot supper was served in the parish recognition, when Prime Minister, David Cameron gave the - publish a response if deemed centre and Raymond Daly, the Diocesan SVP central council organization the Big Society award, he said: appropriate president, travelled down from Kendal to present Bill with a commemoration plaque and a special long service medal. (The “I am delighted to recognise all 10,000 SVP volunteers and staﬀ who medal was issued from the SVP headquarters in Paris, where the support them in their vital work, turning concerns into action.”

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hree voices reflect a little to know that parishioners at the other Ton Parish life from the end of the age range secretly love it Choir, the SVP and Parish too, especially if they live alone. One Council. parishioner commented “I’m sure I’ve never had so many people sing happy birthday to A voice from the Choir me ever before!” After all we are a parish Those of us with the responsibility and family, the family of God. privilege of being in parish choirs will be familiar with the words attributed to St. We choristers all hope that singing truly is Augustine “he who sings prays twice.” double praying; it certainly is rewarding. Although, sacramentally, all Masses are Here at St. Alban’s we are fortunate to the same, I’m sure many of us will agree have two “Godsends” a parishioner who that music in the liturgy has a very is always ready to play the organ for all important part to play. It must aid occasions, and a button on the organ to prayerfulness, concentration, participation change the key, up or down. Gone are the and reverence and add illumination to the angelic screeches in “Hark the Herald!”. theme of the Readings and the Church’s Lowering the key encourages the men to year. Mostly, the choir should lead the join in, and I don’t just mean us tenors and congregation and not be seen to be basses! So I say thank you Lord for the “performing” too often (oops!) music, for giving it to us. Or as Peter Dimuantes puts it: Here at St. Alban’s we are fortunate to have fifteen loyal members who generously So help me God to keep in mind give hundreds of hours a year as “ministers The giver of my gift of song, of music.” As most of us are retired, we are That I may never be inclined able to lead music at all parish funerals To selfish boasts, when praise belongs, and weddings as well as Sunday Mass My Lord to Thee, and Thee alone. and Holy days. We all know how deeply supportive it can be to the family and A voice from the SVP friends at a Requiem Mass or funeral to The St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. be supported and carried in this way. We Alban’s is small, with eight members, but are “generously rewarded” with an annual we would like to think that it is effective choir “do” or party. in what it tries to do, since it is helped in its work by a very generous and caring Our congregation is very warmly community. supportive of the choir, and knowing your congregation is important for those of us Since 2006 we have raised £12,099 for choosing music for the liturgy. We make the baby feeding stations in the Sudan, use of a very wide range of music from helping to keep them open when they new compositions through to the familiar were faced with closure, thus putting the and nostalgic sounds of Latin hymns lives of vulnerable babies and toddlers at like Pange Lingua and Salve Regina and risk. This is an ongoing project for the SVP the Missa de Angelis which we sing nationally and we continue to keep them throughout Advent and Lent. in our thoughts and prayers.

We have built up a tradition in the parish, We also provide tea and home-made (if a ‘little birdie’ lets us know ) of marking cakes and a nice chat once a month to birthdays, wedding anniversaries, special the local community around us. celebrations, by singing to them at the end of Mass. You might guess that the Blessed Frederic Ozanam saw a need to younger members of the parish really help his fellow students in the 1830s enjoy it. However you might be surprised by meeting together to discuss their www.catholicvoiceoﬂancaster.co.uk March 2014 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 9

St. Alban’s St. Annes on Sea

problems and the social injustices of the A voice from the Parish Council day and to act. We have boxes in the Welcome to St. Alban’s. As we entrance Hall for parishioners and friends enter we are greeted by a detail to donate food and clothing for the food from the ‘Return of the Prodigal’ bank run by the SVP at St. Cuthbert’s by Rembrandt. Blackpool, a very great need which is growing week by week. We have arranged Some people tell us that we are a warm, a few socials which have raised funds to inviting and friendly community – and so help this work and in Lent we will have our we are - but isn’t that the way all churches ‘Hunger’ lunches once again, soup and are? We are just people living by what we bread, to raise funds for home and abroad. believe and building on the foundations left by those who have gone before. Other activities include visits to the sick and housebound, the lonely, those in We have inherited great facilities left to hospital and care homes, some of the us by the forward thinking fathers of duties undertaken by the SVP throughout this parish. So we have all we need –a this country. presbytery, a modern low cost church building, and plenty of car parking. We Every year we entertain around 70 to 80 have a very practical and well placed parishioners, neighbours and friends from church hall and we are even blessed with other churches to a Christmas party. We a field for outdoor events and potentially start by celebrating Mass, we sing carols for expansion if ever needed. with our famous choir, party food is served in the Hall, then we have a sing-a-long to In this our 50th Anniversary year of the all the old Christmas favourites. Father Parish we have just started to celebrate Christmas arrives with presents for that inheritance. 50 years ago our Sunday everyone, it is a jolly good way to Mass was in the local Inn, and on celebrate Christmas. weekdays when there was “no room at the Inn” it was in the local farm cottage. Of There is a hymn called “The Servant King” course a parish is not about buildings, which I think sums up the ideals of the no matter how necessary – it’s about the SVP: people – and it’s about our mission. We are just a group of people called to love This is our God, the Servant King, God and our neighbours – just as we He calls us now to follow Him, should. In fact, being the only place where to live our lives as a daily offering, people can gather in this part of town, the of worship to the Servant King. neighbours often drop in for some tea and chat. Isn’t that the heart of our mission, Blessed Frederick Ozanam started the to present the warm, inviting, and friendly St. Vincent de Paul Society to address the face of God to an otherwise cold and needs of the people around him. Parishes unfriendly world? throughout the country, and indeed throughout the whole world, have Our down to earth attitude means emulated him in the care of their we have a high proportion of the communities. What better way to serve congregation who roll up their sleeves the Servant King! The hymn goes on and do work for the parish. When you visit poetically: us you may notice that the place is well cared for, well loved, and of course you are Hands that flung stars into space, welcome. So why not join us for our 50th to cruel nails surrendered. Anniversary Barbecue in July this year, We are his hands, We are his stars, and take a share in the treasure that is We are called to serve. St. Alban’s. 10 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2014 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk Boarbank Hall Canonesses of St Augustine of the Mercy of Jesus Prayer for Vocations “You desire to be builders of peace, possess it yourselves first” - St Augustine A Warm Welcome to Everyone Lord Jesus, the ministry Prayer • Community • Hospitality • Care of the poor and sick of priests is a sign of your Contact: Sr Anne Donockley unfailing care. Boarbank Hall, Grange over Sands Cumbria LA11 7NH Telephone: 015395 32288 Website: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Call from among us the priests needed for the Church of today and arranged for Catholic Voice of Lancaster Readers tomorrow.

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rom time to time people will ask me, “How’s recruitment quickly we can forget that. If we believe that the Lord is with us, Fgoing?” I always try to gently correct their question, we know that He too shares our problems, He is with us in the because vocations work is never about recruitment. We midst of our anxieties about the future of the Church, and He always start from the basic truth that God has created each knows how much we value the sacraments He has given us. It of us with a purpose, and it is the work of both the individual is God who provides for His Church – He asks only that we are and the Church to discern what that purpose is. So the work generous in giving of ourselves, and that we pray that He will of a Vocations Director is never to persuade or arm-twist send labourers to His harvest. someone into going forward for the priesthood; instead, it is Fr Andrew Allman, Vocations Director to help them to ask the question: “What is God calling me to?” – and then, of course, to work with them to ﬁnd the answer, The Catholic Voice urges every individual, family and parish always with a genuine openness to God’s will, whatever it community to pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate may be. and religious life.

The falling number of priests in our diocese, and across much of Last Easter Pope Francis said: the ‘developed’ world, is a symptom of our times, and of the wider challenges the Church faces. The main reason that vocations March 2014 have fallen is that Mass attendance has fallen. We all therefore need to work together to encourage people back to Mass, and, Behind and before every vocation to the Saturday March 1st at 10.00 am “ St David amongst the Mass-going community, we need to encourage one priesthood or to the consecrated life there Our Lady & St Wilfrid,Warwick Bridge, Carlisle another to live our faith more fully and more courageously. is always the strong and intense prayer of Sunday March 2nd at 6.00 pm Quinquagesima Sunday The ‘vocations crisis’ is really a crisis of faith. The ﬁrst step to someone: a grandmother, a grandfather, a Christ the King, Harraby, Carlisle reversing it is to renew our own faith in the Lord. Nothing short mother, a father, a community… This is why Saturday March 15th at 10.00 am of this will help. We need to recommit ourselves to prayer, to Ember Saturday trusting in God, to allowing Him to work in us and in our parishes. Jesus said: “Pray therefore the Lord of the Our Lady & St Wilfrid,Warwick Bridge, Carlisle It takes six or seven years to train a priest, so even if we had a harvest,” that is, God the Father, “to send surge in vocations tomorrow, we face several more years of Sunday March 16th at 3.00 pm out labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38). Second Sunday in Lent painful decisions about how best our priests can serve the St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster diocese. But this is not a reason to despair. Without doubt, the Vocations are born in prayer and from Mass is also celebrated every Sunday at 9.00 am at St Mary Magdalene, Lord is teaching us to renew our trust in Him. Leyland Road, Penwortham. prayer; and only through prayer can

Local Representatives: Bob & Jane Latin Once, when I was expressing my frustration at not being able to they persevere and bear fruit. Telephone: 01524 412987 Email: [email protected] do all the things I thought I should be doing, a wise priest said to Website: latinmasslancaster.blogspot.com me, “The Church has only one Saviour – and it’s not you” . How ” www.catholicvoiceoﬂancaster.co.uk March 2014 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 11

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Hambleton 1979-2014 Diocese Of Lancaster SICK & RETIRED he final Mass at St Francis of Assisi Chapel of Ease was cel - 1973 when Father Mitchell, the Parish Priest of Little Thornton, Tebrated by Father Bryan Irving, Sunday 5th January, 2014, assumed the duties. The rural Catholics of Hambleton identified PRIESTS’ FUND on the eve of his retirement after 43 years' service as a priest themselves with the nature-loving St Francis of Assisi and, in both in Lancashire and Cumbria. We wish Father Bryan a long 1975, money was raised, and land was purchased, for the erec - YOU CAN HELP BY ... and fulfilling retirement at St Winifrede's, (home for tion of a chapel dedicated to him. Sending Donations Direct & Legacies retired priests, Bispham) . Secretary: Rev. Peter Draper, By 1978, following a huge, 3-year, fund-raising effort by the St Anthony of Padua, Cadley Causeway, Fulwood, Father Bryan and the parishioners met in the chapel the following whole Christian community, sufficient money had been raised for Preston PR2 3RX Saturday for a “farewell” meal accompanied by Father Anthony the construction of a new chapel. Early the following year the Keefe and Father Bernard Partington prior to closing the doors chapel was completed. On Saturday, 31st March, 1979, The Rt for the last time. Rev Brian Foley, Bishop of Lancaster, celebrated Mass and SELF STORAGE blessed the new chapel. The initiative to re-establish Catholic worship in Hambleton, can Secure Units Available be dated back to Sunday, July 9th, 1967, when 21 Catholic In the 35 years of its existence, the chapel of St Francis, has been Sizes To Suit All Needs residents of Hambleton attended a Mass celebrated by Father a Chapel of Ease attached to various parishes, latterly of St Mary's, Competitive Rates Gaffney, Pilling, at the home of the Bolangaro family in Market Great Eccleston, and has seen many Parish Priests come and go: From as little as £5 per Street – the first celebration of a Catholic Mass in Hambleton in week over 400 years. - Father George Pennington - Father Peter Groody Open 7 Days - Father Anthony Keefe - Father Stephen Ashton The need for a larger venue for future Masses led to the use of - Father Jim Burns - Father Bryan Irving Also Caravan/Car/Boat Storage the Supper Room at the Village Hall, then the Main Hall itself. Weekday Masses were celebrated in the homes of members of The congregation are indebted to the pioneering work of the first Curly Tail Storage, Park Lane, the congregation. 'committee' which, prior to 1979, was instrumental in creating Forton the chapel of St Francis, and to all committee members whose Tel: 01524 791837 Father Gaffney was succeeded by Father Bilsborrow and priests efforts, since then, sustained the chapel over the years. www.curlytailstorage.co.uk from the seminary at Underley. This arrangement continued till Gerald O’Donoghue 12 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2014 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk The Way Forward - A personal view

he declining number of priests, Joseph’s in Wesham and is now known as practical outcomes not least a growth in us. But we need to also recognise that Tto serve the faithful, as well as the Parish of the Holy Cross (the church SVP membership. each one must share the responsibility declining congregations has caused building names remain however) . You would of handing on the faith - along with our dioceses throughout the western need to reside in Kirkham or Wesham to It is evident that the workload of our ordained clergy. As Pope Francis recently world to undergo restructuring. Reality realise the significance of this monumental priests’ is increasing all the time as a said “Through Baptism, each of us tells us that there will be no quick fix merger! Suffice to say that the train result of these changes. The welfare of our becomes ‘missionary disciples’, called to answer to the issue of an ageing and station provides the definitive border parish priests should be a prime concern bring the Gospel to the world. Each of the numerically reduced clerical presence between the two small towns. for us all and we should continually pray baptized, whatever their role in the Church but our generation owes it to the next for them and strive to help and support or the educational level of their faith, is an generation to form and shape them in Following the Relief Act of 1791 when the them as much as possible. It is so easy to active agent of evangelization. … The new such a way that our congregations start building of Catholic Churches was permitted, be critical of change but thinking more in evangelization should involve … a new to grow rather than continue to decline a chapel and presbytery dedicated to The terms of what we can do for the Church is central role for each of the baptized. The in the years ahead. Holy Cross was built on the existing land far more positive than simply thinking People of God is a People of disciples – where the Willows Church now stands. It what the Church can do for me. because we receive the faith – and a The Diocese of Lancaster, like many other became known as The Willow Chapel after missionary People – because we pass on dioceses, has and continues to face the the Willow trees which grew around it The future is challenging but there is a the faith. This is what makes Baptism in us: reality of linking and merging parishes, and the existing church of St John the lot to be positive about and continued it gives us Grace and transmits the faith. and in some cases the closure of some Evangelist, is still better known as The dialogue, prayer, imagination and the All of us in the Church are disciples, always church buildings. These practical and Willows. The Parish of the Holy Cross ability to listen to the promptings of the and for our entire lives; and we are all necessary steps, while a source of seems a fitting name for the new parish as Holy Spirit will make for the beginnings of missionaries, each in the place that the sadness and loss for many parishioners both communities are inextricably linked a worthy legacy to those who come after Lord has assigned us.” Jenny Phillips at the time of change do however in the past and the area is steeped in present fresh opportunities for new Catholic history. beginnings.

Several years ago, the Parish Priest at The Willows in Kirkham, found himself in charge of St Anne’s parish in nearby Westby. He had the beneﬁt of inheriting a small, though dedicated congregation at Westby, while we, at The Willows, had the joy of getting to know fellow Catholics – not least the late Deacon David Done – The church of St John the Evangelist, Kirkham who served both parishes and enriched and the church of St Joseph, Wesham. the lives of both communities. Two years later St Anne’s Westby has become linked The merger of the two communities into with Holy Family in Freckleton while The the Parish of the Holy Cross has seen new Willows in Kirkham has merged with St friendships forged and many positive www.catholicvoiceoﬂancaster.co.uk March 2014 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 13

Our Faith

Does God guide the world If God is all-knowing and child soldiers, suicide bombings, God's will is done without any resistance. concentration camps is usually man-made. He a ve n ha ppe n s when + l Mayife 2013 is p resent in its www.catholicvoiceoancaster.co.uk and my life? all-powerful, why does he The decisive question is therefore not, greatest intensity and blessedness a kind of not prevent evil? “How can anyone believe in a good God life that we do not ﬁnd on earth. If with God's Yes, but in a mysterious way; God guides when there is so much evil? ” but rather, help we arrive someday in heaven, then everything along paths that only he “God allows evil only so as to make “How could a person with a heart and waiting for us will be “what no eye has knows, leading it to its perfection. At no something better result from it.” understanding endure life in this world if seen, nor ear heard, nor the h ea rt of m an point in time does something that he has (St. Thomas Aquinas) God did not exist?” conceived, what God has p repared for those created fall out of his hands. who love him” (1 Cor 2:9) . Evil in the world is an obscure and painful Christ's death and Resurrection show us (YOU CAT que s tio n 52)

God influences both the great events of mystery. Even the Crucified asked his that evil did not have the first word, nor does history and also the little events of our Father, “My God, why have you forsaken it have the last. God made absolute good What is hell? personal life, without reducing our me?” (Mt 27:46) . Much about it is result from the worst evil. We believe that in freedom or making us mere marionettes incomprehensible. One thing, though, we the Last Judgment God will put an end to all Our faith calls “hell” the c on d i tion of fi na l in his eternal plans. In God “we live and know for sure: God is 100 percent good. injustice. In the life of the world to come, evil sep aration from God. A nyon e who sees move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). no longer has any place and suffering ends. love clearly in the face o f God an d , He can never be the originator of (YOUCAT question 51) neve rt heless, does not w an t it de cid es

God is in everything we meet in all the something evil. God created the world freely to have this condition instead. changes in our life, even in the painful to be good, but it is not yet complete. In What is heaven? events and the seemingly meaningless violent upheavals and painful processes Jesus, who knows what hell is like, speaks coincidences. God wants to write straight it is being shaped and moved toward its Heaven is God's milieu, the dwelling place abou t it as t he “outer darkn ess” ( Mt 8:1 2). even with the crooked lines of our life. What ﬁnal perfection. That may be a better way of the angels and saints, and the goal of Expres sed in our terms, it is cold rather than he takes away from us and what he gives to classify what the Church calls physical creation. With the words “heaven and earth” hot. It is hor ri ble to contem pl a te a c ondition us, the ways in which he strengthens us and evil, for example, a birth defect, or a we designate the whole of created reality. of c om p lete rigi d ity and hopeless isolation the ways in which he tests us all these are natural catastrophe. Moral evils, in from every t hing that could brin g aid , re lief, arrangements and signs of his will. contrast, come about through the misuse Heaven is not a place in the universe. It is a joy, and cons o lation into o ne's life. (YOUCAT question 49) of freedom in the world. “Hell on earth” condition in the next life. Heaven is where (YO U CAT q uestion 53)

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Family Tax Planning (W): www.keenancharteredaccountants.co.uk 14 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + March 2014 www.catholicvoiceoﬂancaster.co.uk To busy complaining to see good?

Thought for Lent t takes a disciplined spirit to endure the monastery Ion Montserrat in Spain. One of the fundamental requirements of a particular religious order is that the What does love look like? young men must maintain silence. Opportunities to speak are scheduled once every two years, at which time It has the hands to they are allowed to speak only two words. help others. One young initiate in this religious order, who had completed his first two years of training, was invited by his superior to It has the feet to hasten to make his first two-word presentation. “Food terrible,” he said. the poor and needy. Two years later the invitation was once again extended. The young man used this forum to exclaim, “Bed lumpy.” It has eyes to see misery and want. Arriving at his superior's office two years later he proclaimed, “I quit.” The superior looked at this young monk and said, “You know, it doesn't surprise me a bit. All you've done since you It has the ears to hear the arrived is complain, complain and complain.” sighs and sorrows of men. Exaggerated? Maybe! That is what love What if you were asked to share two words that describe your Life? Would your focus be the lumps, bumps, and unfairness, looks like. or are you committed to dwell on those things that are good, Saint Augustine right, and lovely? Think about it! L A I Warm Winter R O T R E V D A Welcome armenier Retirement Village in undertake a trial in a fully furnished LBlackburn is able to put a little apartment and rent until her existing bit of that summer sunshine back into property was sold influenced Barbara these dreary winter days with the heavily and she felt that the village would second phase of purpose built retire - be perfect for her needs. ment apartments and bungalows known as Whitaker Gardens. Barbara continues to be happy with her choice and said “Larmenier provides me Residents choose to retire to the Village with a very good life. I particularly like the for many reasons. One such resident, Mrs choice and quality of the meals available Barbara Donavan was born in Jamaica and and the various types of help offered, with arrived in Britain in 1950 with her family access to carers and other support such as to complete her education, Barbara cleaning, laundry and handyman services.” attended Secretarial College. A keen lover Another key attraction is that Larmenier of languages, she also studied Spanish, is not like a nursing home but combines spending nine months in Spain. She found independence with support in a safe, work at the BBC as a junior in sound radio, secure environment. “I am free to come where she met her future husband who and go” said Barbara “and I have no regrets was an engineer. moving here from Kent.”

Mr and Mrs Donavan were happily married All our residents enjoy the cosy warmth for 33 years and their Catholic faith was of energy efficient central heating, double very important to them both. After the glazing and a high standard of thermal death of her husband, Barbara eventually insulation, enabling them to relax without sought an appropriate retirement home. having to worry about high energy costs. She noticed an article in the Catholic There is a 24hour emergency response Universe about Larmenier Village and was service a regular doctor’s surgery and very impressed with what it had to offer. much, much more including a cinema Apart from it being closer to her daughter and a library. and family, it also offered a village with a strong Catholic ethic and the opportunity To arrange a village tour or to find out to attend Mass regularly in the chapel on more about their ‘trial in style’ option call site. This together with the opportunity to Larmenier on 01254 677926. www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk March 2014 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + 15 Out into the Field! een GCSE Geographers from Corpus Christi High School, KPreston, headed to the Trough of Bowland for four days to complete their field study for their Controlled Assessment task.

Pupils collected primary data on the formation and development of rivers. Completing a mix of field work and classroom work throughout the visit, the group began their fieldwork at St Michaels on Wyre, where the river is joined by a second major tributary, the River Brock where they were able to see how the river becomes tidal below the weir at St Michael’s. Later they headed to the top of the Trough of Bowland to view the source of the river. The pupils analysed six different sites at various different stages of the river before it reached the river reached its widest part at the mouth.

Data was gathered including: the river depth, the channel width, the wetted perimeter and the velocity of the river. And the students used this information to test their own hypothesis about how a river ﬂow can vary.

As well as working towards their GCSE, improving team building skills was also a major aim. As well as working together to collect data they were given the chance to partake in thrilling outdoor activities. Venturing onto the water in canoes, heading up the indoor climbing wall and getting their adrenaline pumping as they travelled down the zip line were all activities that helped to promote the importance of teamwork and communication.

Year 11 pupil, Abby Howarth thoroughly enjoyed the ﬁeldtrip. She said: “The whole group had a fantastic time. It was great being able to work together outside of the classroom, and learn about Geography while out in the ﬁeld just like professional Geographers would do. The experience was invaluable to my studies and I now feel fully prepared for my upcoming controlled assessment.” Sarah Johnson

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The children held a variety of fundraising events, including a hot dog day, cake sales and a non-uniform day. “Our students are always anxious to help other people wherever they can and when they saw the scenes of terrible devastation they were immediately clamouring to be allowed to fund raise” said Brendan Conboy, Headteacher. CAFOD’s Patrick Gardner said, “This is an amazing amount of money the College has raised and a real show of solidarity and compassion. CAFOD is overwhelmed at the eﬀorts they made to raise this money and so grateful to all those who have contributed to the appeal, there’s been an exceptional response throughout Lancashire. People’s livelihoods and communities have been devastated in the Philippines, and the churches there are playing a vital part in providing emergency relief and starting the rebuilding process. It’s extremely heart-warming to know local people want to help. Their support is hugely appreciated.”

Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on the 8th November last year and aﬀected over 13 million people by severely damaging power, transport and water systems as well as destroying thousands of families’ homes.

anon Luiz Ruscillo, Diocesen Head team will share their expertise as Cof Education, watches Science teachers and students with Bill Arnold, Catenian, present two the Ugandan pupils. cheques, value £400, to Ruth Lowe Head of the Sixth Form at Our Lady’s The team is raising money, by various Catholic College. functions, to support the students costs and to take additional resources Ruth is the team leader for eight sixth asked for by the Ugandans. form students and four teachers who in July this year will ﬂy to Bukinda, Uganda This will be Ruth’s second visit to where they will spend time with St Uganda as she travelled there last year Paul’s RC school and other schools in with supplies for the area provided by the Kanungo District. Whilst there, the the Hornby parishioners. Bill Arnold

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