National Catholic Scout Fellowship ‘...actively supporting Catholics in Scouting
A Holy Easter to you all
Bravo Margaret!
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page Spring 2014—Number 213
Officer Details… Page 3 Resources… Page 3 Bishop Richard’s Thoughts… Page 4 Annual Mass on Tour… Page 5 Manager’s Thoughts… Pages 6 & 7 Southwark Mass… Page 8 Cath Keely RIP… Page 9 Taize… Page 9 Design a Badge...10 NCSF Application form… Pages 11 & 12 Rome 2015… Pages 13 & 14 Awards… Pages 15 ICCS and the Pope… Pages 16 & 18 Internal… Page 19 Southwark Pictures… Page 20 From the National Chaplain… Page 21 Easter Teaser… Page 22 Idiot’s guide to Gift Aid… Page 22 CISG Contacts… Page 23 Closing Prayers...Page 24
Next Executive Meetings
22nd June – St Augustine’s, Manchester
CIGS Meeting
11 April 2015 - Dale Street Methodists Church Leamington Spa
The views and opinions expressed in articles in this publication are solely those of the authors and not the Scout Association. They are intended for the consideration of the readership and in particular the members of the NCSF.
Page 2 Spring 2014 Issue Chairman Secretary Margaret M H McDowall Patsy Warren 4 Copperhouse Road, 12 Cleves Crescent Strood Cheslyn Hay Rochester Staffordshire ME2 2TQ WS6 7LR 01634 307335 01922-413489 [email protected]
Treasurer National RC Chaplain Patrick Warren Fr. John Seddon 12 Cleves Crescent 165 Liverpool Road Cheslyn Hay Crosby Staffordshire Liverpool WS6 7LR L23 0QN 01922-413489 0151 949 1782
[email protected] [email protected]
Articles for inclusion in The Link may be sent to the Editor at the email address given below. The name and scouting appointment of the contributor should be given. [email protected]
A selection of resource material is available from the NCSF Badge Secretary to ease the work of Catholics in Scouting. They can be obtained from the following address.
These are available from: Ann Ingleby Ki-Ro Items Want to see what you are 14 Rangers Walk going to get? Etching Hill 38mm badges 75p Rugeley 50mm badges £1 A catalogue of all the items Staffs Woggles £1.50 available is viewable online WS15 2NA NCSF Pin Badge £1 and downloadable from the website. This should make it Tel: 01889 585345 easier for you to order items. ICCS Centenary badges price £1.50
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 3 From Bishop Richard...
The recent mail shot from Scout Headquarters included this year’s St.George’s Day Roll of Honour. Amongst this year’s award recipients, we congratulate Margaret McDowall on the Award of the Silver Acorn in recognition of specially distinguished service to Scouting. Judy MacRae, 13th Medway, being presented with The Chief Scout's award for Good Service at the Annual Mass at Southwark CONGRATULATIONS, MARGARET, and a special word of thanks for all you have done over so many years for Scouting and for our National Catholic Scout Fellowship.
Service demands perseverance and dedication. Margaret’s Award is, in some respects, an award for perseverance and dedication to the Scouting Movement. Perseverance, Dedication: some people would have us believe that these qualities are not fashionable. We throw things away easily, fashions change very quickly and there is pressure on us to buy the latest gadget, the latest pair of trainers.
There are lots of examples of dedication and perseverance in our world, but they do not always attract as much attention as they might.
In this Season of Lent we reflect on the life of Jesus, who gave everything for us. He persevered regardless of the cost and very soon now we shall celebrate His Death and Resurrection. We remember His Death – the result of His giving everything for us – and His Resurrection and the reward in which He calls us to share – life with Him.
Page 4 Spring 2014 Issue Examples of dedication to what is right that we see around us should remind us of the love that Jesus shows for us. We should celebrate them and try to be dedicated and self-giving in our service. This is a vital part of Scouting and is the way of life of the Christian.
May this coming Feast of Easter be a time of celebration for us all and may we re-dedicate ourselves to the service of others, in the response to the love that Jesus gives to us.
May God Bless you and all your families and friends this Easter,
Annual Mass on Tour ... Have you remembered?
If you live in the North and particularly in the North West then you will be hosting the next NCSF Annual Mass
St Augustine’s, All Saints, Manchester
22nd June at 3 pm
Principal Celebrant – Bishop Richard Moth
Assisted by Fr John Seddon National Chaplain
Contact Margaret for more details.
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 5 The Manager’s thoughts...
Scouting is a family event, we may not realise this at the time when we either volunteered or were coerced into helping out in our local scout group, but it really is. When a member of the family becomes involved in Scouting little do we realise that soon the family, whether they want to or not, will be involved either ‘hands on’ or in a supportive role.
When I say family I not only refer to your related family but also to your scouting family. If you look at the St George’s Day Awards you can imagine the amount of time and effort those who have been honoured have put into their scouting lives.
Those who have received their awards did not do it all on their own they probably had a supportive family behind them which enabled them to attend meetings and do all the things that they have been recognized for. Their Scouting family also come into play in that they gave the recipient the opportunity to explore their talents and to achieve their goals.
So when we say CONGRATULATIONS we not only congratulate the recipients, but also their husbands, wives, children and their scout group or district. Well done BRRRRRRAVO
At our annual mass at St George’s Cathedral on 2 nd March we also recognised the achievements of the younger members of the Association as we presented Cubs and Scouts with their Chief Scout Awards. We also presented some Guides with their Baden Powell award.
I am sure that they only achieved this by being encouraged and supported by their leaders and of course, the all important family. We should be proud of our young people and should be encouraging them to achieve greater things and hopefully see them filling our shoes in the years to come.
Page 6 Spring 2014 Issue Talking of young people we had a very interesting executive meeting when we had invited some young scouts to join us and give us their ideas of what they would like from the NCSF and what the NCSF meant to them. Their comments were well received and in the next edition of the Link we shall be able to read what they had to say about the meeting.
I look forward to hearing what they thought of us and what we can do to include their ideas in our planning. I would also be interested in any comments that you, the reader, might care to make.
Next year 2015 will see the NCSF celebrating 90 years since its formation in 1925. We would like to retrace the steps that led to its formation and to that effect we are hoping to arrange a pilgrimage to Rome in 2015.
It was after a pilgrimage to Rome in 1925, of a group of Catholic Scouts, that the Catholic Scout Advisory Council – now the National Catholic Scout Fellowship was formed. One of the leading lights was Sir Jeffrey Holton and Bishop Bright.
It is good that 90 years on we are still flourishing. The only other Faith Group who has a longer history than us is the Salvation Army – Well done to them. There are details of the Pilgrimage elsewhere in the Link and it would be wonderful if we had a really good response to this. Our Bishop Richard Moth will be with us on this Pilgrimage along with our national chaplain Fr John Seddon.
Finally just to remind you that we will be holding the first National Catholic Fellowship Mass in the North West in Manchester on 22 nd June. The Mass will be at St Augustine’s Church, off Oxford Road at 1500 hrs. The archives of the NCSF are held at St Augustine’s and after the Mass we will have a display of NCSF/CSAC archives which will give a picture of our early days and what resources we had then and what we have now.
Do please try to make the effort and support us in this new venture.
Finally once, more congratulations to all those who have received scouting awards .
Margaret M H McDowall NCSF Manager
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 7 From the Annual Southwark Mass...
21st Lewisham North (Our Lady of Lourdes) Scout Group had 8 Cubs complete their Silver Chief Scouts award between July 2013 and February 2014. Connie is keeping up with tradition last year she saw her brother receive his Gold Chief Scouts Award from the Bishop. Also Lauren is following in both her brother's footsteps by gaining her Silver Chief Scouts.
1st Lee South (Our Lady of Lourdes) Guide Unit had 4 Guides receive their Baden Powell Challenge Certificates from Bishop Richard. To gain the this their had to do ten challenges from the following Healthy Lifestyles, Global Awareness, Discovery, Skills & Relationships and Celebrating Diversity. Once they had completed the challenges they then had to go on a Baden Powell Adventure, this they did by taking part in an Incident Night Hike. Philip Wall , 21st Lewisham
Editor’s note...
I hope nobody minds this issue turning up a few days late.
All in a good cause in allowing us to help celebrate Margaret’s award. Ed
Page 8 Spring 2014 Issue Cath Keely RIP...
Catherine Kealy, who sadly died on 6 th April, had been a staunch member of
the NCSF for many years. In that time she had acted as secretary, vice chairman and eventually was make a vice president being awarded the ICCS medal for her endeavours.
She had been treasurer of the West Midlands Guild and had been involved in scouting for many years, having been an Akela. Our thoughts go out to her Husband Martin and daughters Brigit and Elizabeth as they try to come to terms with their sad loss. Please remember to keep them in your prayers that the Lord will give them the strength to carry this terrible burden.
A fuller obituary will appear in our Summer Edition.
Taizé ..
What do you know of Taizé ?
It has become a very common way of sharing prayer in Scouting—at Camp and at other times—particularly when the gathering is of mixed religions and denominations. So a few facts for you to consider.
Taizé is a small village in eastern France. For over 50 years, it has been the home of a Christian monastic community made up of brothers from many different countries, speaking many different languages and, uniquely, belonging to several different Christian denominations.
Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, Orthodox and others live and pray together, share a simple life and welcome the tens of thousands of visitors who come to spend time with them every year from all over the world. The community has developed a unique style of meditative singing which focuses on the repetitive chanting of short phrases from the Bible and other Christian texts in a range of languages.
Fr John has visited there on a number of occasions so why not ask for his support in using this form of prayer and meditation to improve your Scout’s Own and other acts of worship. More in the next edition. The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 9 Noticeboard...
Live in the North? Then you need to know that Wigan District are to invest Fr. Paul Grady as their Chaplain at St. George's Day Parade.
Pop that in your Camp Resources notebook as you never know when you might need it.
Congratulation go to Fr Edward Perera, the GSL of the 21st Lewisham, as he has been made a Canon.
He can be seen in the photograph right, reading the Gospel and wearing his Gilwell Necker.
Design a Badge..
We want to run a competition to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the CSAC/NCSF.
The closing date is end of September and the judging will take place at the Annual Review in October, winner to be announced in the December Link.
There will be a prize for 1, 2 and 3rd. This will be in the form of a voucher to spend at Scout Shops. (£20. £10 and £5.)
It should reflect Catholics in Scouting and the anniversary nature of the celebrations. Other than that...
...its over to you and your imagination!
All entries to Margaret.
Page 10 Spring 2014 Issue Group/Individual Membership Application Form
Print Name: ……………………………………………………………
Address
Post Code:
Tel No: ………………………..Email address: …………………………….
Scout Group: …………………………………………………………………
District: …………………………...County: ………………………………..
Appointment: …………………….Membership No: ………………………
CRB No: …………………………..Date of issue: ………………………….
Signed: ……………………………………………Dated: ………………….
Annual Fees = Group: £25. Individual: £10. Cheques made payable to: NCSF. Renewal date: October.
Please consider setting up a Bank Standing order to save time and administration. Contact Treasurer for details.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCOUT FELLOWSHIP (NCSF) ‘Actively supporting Catholics in Scouting’
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 11 Gift Aid Declaration
If you pay income tax then please consider Gift Aiding your membership fee/donation for the benefit of Catholic Scouting. For every pound paid we can reclaim the tax you have already paid on that sum.
Gift Aid can also be accepted retrospectively for a maximum of 4 years. So if you have not previously gift aided your membership/donation fee, you can do so now. Enter the current or retrospective date in the box below.
I wish my membership fee to be considered as a donation to the National Catholic Scout Fellowship (NCSF) for Gift Aid purposes.
I wish all future donations to be Gift Aided until I notify you otherwise.
I confirm that I am a UK taxpayer and that I paid tax to a value sufficient to cover the tax the NCSF will reclaim
Signed: ………………………………………………………………………
Print Name: ……………………………………………………………….
Address
Post Code:
Dated: …………………………… Return To: Patsy Warren 12 Cleves Crescent Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7LR 01922-413489
Page 12 Spring 2014 Issue Rome 2015...
25th—29th May 2015
We hope to run a Pilgrimage to Rome in order to commemorate the Holy Year Scout Pilgrimage to Rome in 1925 - 90 years ago.
It is planned to stay at the English College Villa Palazzola (whose swimming pool is pictured above and where British Scouts stayed in 1925).
http://www.palazzola.it/
If you would like to be kept informed (no commitment at this stage) please complete your details on the form over the page and return to the Fr John or via our website www.catholicsinscouting.org.uk.
Cost – Young people approx £525 – Adults approx £575
To be organised by Anthony Coles
Dates Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May 2015
Morning flight from Manchester on the Monday and morning flight from Rome on the Friday
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 13 Rome 2...
Suggested Programme for the Pilgrimage
Monday - Flight to Rome , free time Mass and Dinner at Plazzola;
Tuesday – am visit to Catacombs, pm St. Peters , Mass Dinner;
Wednesday – am Audience with Pope pm sightseeing back to Villa, Mass, dinner, free time;
Thursday – visits around Rome during the day pm Mass with Italian Scouts at the Scout Church of St. George in Valabro;
Friday – Flight home
If you wish to register an interest please send your detail to Fr John
Contact Name
Group
Registration carries no obligation .
Remember you will be treading in the steps of millions of previous pilgrims to Rome and following those in Scouting who were later to form the CSAC and hence the NCSF.
If you’ve never been to Rome then this is your opportunity.
Page 14 Spring 2014 Issue St George’s Day Awards...
Its that time of year again! St George’s day that is and when Scouting recognises the work and effort of those involved at all levels.
So far we know of the following awards to Catholics or leaders attached to Catholic Groups...
Silver Wolf
Dr Graham Haddock, Scottish HQ John Blair Potter, 5th Beckenham South (St Edmonds) RC Group
Bar to the Silver Acorn
Kevin Peter Cummings, 3rd Canvey Island (English Martyrs) RC Group
Silver Acorn
Paul Michael Adams, 2nd Hinckley (St Peter’s) R C Group Tony Alan Butler, Member NCSF Genevieve Martha Dunbar, 28th Croydon (Our Lady of the Annunciation) R C Group Michael Grime, Member NCSF Carol Ann Majury, 110th Belfast (St Bernadette’s) R C Group Margaret Mary Hughes McDowall, Manager NCSF 13th Medway Towns (St Michael’s) Philomena Taylor, 80th Glasgow (Roman Catholic) Great Western
Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Services
Judith MacRae, 13th Medway
Congratulations one and all.
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 15 ICCS meets the Pope...
We are very happy to announce that His Holiness Pope Francis invited for a private audience the ICCS World Chairman, the World President, and the World Chaplain in the framework of the celebrations of the 100 years of Catholic Scouts on Saturday 25th January 2014.
What we told to the Pope?
A presentation of ICCS, of its scopes, its worldwide structure, its relationships with WOSM and the Pontifical Council for the Laity was explained and commented by World Chairman Bray Barnes.
World President Roberto Cociancich remarked that scouts have lived since ever on the frontiers. Scouts is actually the word used for those who go ahead to explore the frontiers. Today’s frontiers are not only geographical frontiers but are also of cultural, religious and social injustice nature.
Today the scout movement (WOSM) is fully engaged in promoting the inter-religious dialogue among its members.
In this framework ICCS commitment is to be fully scout and fully catholic: we want to be catholic in the scout movement and to be scout in the Catholic Church.
To be catholic in the scout movement means to bring there the sense of brotherhood, friendship, solidarity, and most of all the sense of God. It also means to work for the inter-religious dialogue.
Page 16 Spring 2014 Issue To be scout in the Catholic Church means to bring a simplicity and practical spirit and to be a place where Christians may easily feel to be at home and even those who have difficulties with the ecclesiastical hierarchies may found a welcome
ICCS members are working to spread the sense of justice, service to the human family, the commitment for peace.
World Chaplain Father Jacques Gagey reminded that the Centennial was inspired by the light of father Jacques Sevin, who was recently declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI. The cause of his beatification was pleaded by the World Chaplain who also outlined that thanks to Father Sevin the roots of scouting have been deeply rooted in the Catholicism. Jacques Sevin supported at the same time the inter-religious dimension in the World.
This was the reason why he always had a friendly approach to many non believers when they were not irreligious ( in the sense explained by B.-P.).
What the Pope told us?
Pope Francis listened and paid attention with great attention and kindness. He raised several questions and mentioned his experience with the Argentinian Scouts. He also mentioned cardinal Mario Poli, the new Cardinal Bishop of Buenos Aires , who has been scout since when he was very young and is still now the national Chaplain of Argentina.
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 17 Pope Francis encouraged and urged scouts to go ahead, and then to go again ahead. He observed that in order to go ahead it is necessary not to be stolen of our hope. Who can robe our hope, he asked? The worldliness, the temptations of the world, the consumerism, the research of easy pleasures, the hedonism, in other words all those things that try to persuade us that heavens are here right now.
Pope Francis also recommended not to forget the issue of the legacy. We are not the owners of the Earth nor of the World. We received the Earth as a legacy by those who were before us. Such Legacy does not belong to us. We simply have to take care of it for a temporary period and we owe it to our children and those who will come after us.
This is the meaning of the ICCS Centennial theme: “keep the lamp burning”.
The papal private audience took place in a very friendly and warm atmosphere even if carried out under the rules of the diplomacy. It was the first time since many years that ICCS had such a great honor to
Website to be re-launched on June 22nd
Page 18 Spring 2014 Issue International Request...
Dear Reader
I am hoping you might be able to help me by putting me in contact with a Catholic Group around the London area?
I am a scout currently on a yacht in Sicily and have been here for 6 months working with the local Scout Groups. The groups here are all Catholic and are Scouts and Guides combined through all sections. I have also been helping a small class of children who are learning English and all are Licata Scouts.
Their teacher also a Scout leader has been looking to take her class to England to get some first hand English Language, they are lucky that they can get London flights pretty cheap but when they have talked to schools for an educational visit they have been quoted extortionate prices and Licata where we are based is one of the poorest within the Sicilian region.
I am wondering if there is a Catholic Scout troop reasonably close to London that might like to host a few scouts? Unfortunately my Scouting base is Cornwall which is not ideal as I know they would like to do at least a quick London tour.
I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas on this, here are no definite plans this is very much 'work in progress', the Scouts here are really keen on learning English and they do like the idea of possibly setting up regular visits between the two Countries.
I hope this does not cause you a lot of inconvenience, but in advance I thank you very much for any help and advice on this matter.
Kind Regards
Craig Shore
If you can help Craig, he can be contacted via Margaret.
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 19 Pictures from the Southwark Mass...
Page 20 Spring 2014 Issue From the National Chaplain...
As I write, spring is definitely in the air, today is sunny and warm, the daffodils we bought to give the mums at the Masses on Mother's Day have already opened and the trees I can see outside my window are coming into leaf.
So, with all this new life we are reminded of the new life of Fr John Investing a new leader at the Annual Mass at Southwark Easter which we will soon be celebrating and of course of getting out to camp to enjoy the wonders of God's creation and life under canvas, or these days nylon!
Please have a happy and a holy Easter, and if you are at camp an enjoyable and memorable camp.
Father John Seddon National Chaplain
Ki-Ro Vestments...
Do you have a Chaplain—whether Group, District, County or otherwise—that is need of some ‘Scouting vestments’?
We have two sets of Ki-Ro vestments, one green and one red, to give to a worthy Please contact Margaret.
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 21 Christmas Teaser… Easter Teaser...
Did you attempt this Christmas Teaser this year?
If so did you enjoy it? Find it easy? Find it hard?
Surprising no one has contacted me for any answers and I did see any reports of family breakdowns due to it. Thankfully!
Would you like to set further teasers or challenges in ‘The Link’? If so let me know and we can try and fit them in. Though none from Brain of Britain contestants please.
A simple Easter Teaser. Years ago at seminary future priest were taught liturgical mathematics. Can you demonstrate how to calculate when Easter will occur?
How Gift Aid Works—The Official Version...
The Gift Aid scheme is for gifts of money by individuals who pay UK tax. Gift Aid donations are regarded as having basic rate tax deducted by the donor. Charities or CASCs take your donation - which is money you've already paid tax on - and reclaim the basic rate tax from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on its 'gross' equivalent - i.e. the amount before basic rate tax was deducted.
Basic rate tax is 20 per cent, so this means that if you give £10 using Gift Aid, it’s worth £12.50 to the charity. For donations between 6 April 2009 and 5 April 2011 the charity or CASC will also get a separate government supplement of three pence on every pound you give. But hurry as it can only be back dated a maximum of 4 years
Much more information can be found on the HMRC website at the following address. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/giving/gift- aid.htm
Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that you pay sufficient tax to cover the amount of tax reclaimed in gift aid by the NCSF.
Page 22 Spring 2014 Issue CIGS Contacts...
ANGLICAN BAPTIST
Mrs June Davies Currently please use Colin Raistrick 31 Loseley Road The Chairman of CIGS for contact Farncombe Goldaming METHODIST Surrey GU73RE Mr Colin Raistrick 12 Park Crescent Tel: 01483 428876 Shiremoor [email protected] Newcastle upon Tyne NE27 OLH ROMAN CATHOLIC GUIDES Tel: 0191 253 4755 Ms Geraldine Dorman [email protected] 147 Stanwell Road Penarth SALVATION ARMY Wales CF64 3LL Rob Moye Territorial HQ Tel. 0292 0707402 101 Newington Causeway [email protected] London SE1 6BH URC Tel: 0207 367 4927 Rev David Marshall Jones [email protected] Flint Cottage School Lane London Road South Merstham Redhill RH1 3AZ
Tel: 01737 644556 [email protected] Please don’t be afraid of using the support of our colleagues in the other Christian denominations particularly if you need support in helping members of other denominations within your Group.
The Link. National Catholic Scout Fellowship Page 23 NCSF PRAYER
Loving God, Help us to be true to our Promise and Law. Keep us faithful to the teaching of the Church and the example of Our Lady and the Saints. Guide us in your ways of love, And strengthen us through your Spirit, to live lives of Service. We ask this through Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
Prayer to obtain the Beatification of the Centenary Prayer Book Venerable Fr. Jacques Sevin. S.J for Catholics in Scouting founder of Catholic Scouting and of the “Holy Cross of Jerusalem.” ‘One World, One Promise’ O God, You placed within the heart of your servant Jacques Sevin Complied by the burning desire to “spend himself to the end” Rev John Seddon MA for your love and love of youth. National Scout Chaplain And so you revealed your desire to see within the heart England & Wales of the Catholic Church a growing tide of young people united across the world by the scout promise and law. You inspired in him also the founding of the institute of Available from Fr. John Seddon “The Holy Cross of Jerusalem” (see page 3 for contact details) for the expansion of your kingdom and the salvation of the young to lead them to you… And if it pleases you £1.95 each P & P depending on Deign to glorify here on earth Your number ordered. servant Jacques by granting through his intercession the graces we implore. Copies of the Prayer Card are Amen! still available from Mrs Margaret
Please report any favours obtained to: McDowall and of course Fr John “La Sainte Croix de Jerusalem” (see page 3 for contact details) La Prieure- Allee Saint Martin F.60820 BORAN SUR OISE soeurs-scjboran.fr They can be collected at NCSF soeurs-stecroixdejerusalem.cef.fr Meetings and activities.
Page 24 Spring 2014 Issue