by Rediscovering Pentecost
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FREE www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk The Official Newspaper to Inside this month: the Diocese of Lancaster p7 Celebrating Creation p11 Medieval Vestment Restoration Issue 230 + June 2011 p12 RE Week Celebrations Raising the Bar - by Rediscovering Pentecost entecost, (Sunday 12th June), is often as operated then, and able to do the Pthe forgotten feast. I sometimes same things. We also need to concretely wonder if the reason that it is not and actively prepare for the feast of celebrated at the same depth as Pentecost during the Easter-tide period. Christmas and Easter is because we Easter tide should be a time of study and haven’t really understood its importance expectation for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. and that Jesus came not just to save us The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, one of from our sins but also to enpower us the movements in the Catholic Church, with the Holy Spirit in order for us to has a wonderful course called The Life in achieve salvation and salvation for the the Spirit seminars, which is particularly world. The book of Acts too often is suitable to be run at this time of the year. seen as past history, rather than This has brought people new fervour in something that is still being written faith and motivation to evangelize. A by us today. The apostles were no version of this, called ‘This Promise is for superheroes, as was made evident by You’ is available on DVD from Goodnews their behaviour in the gospels, yet after Books (01582 571011). A list of Pentecost, the same men who ran away Pentecost events and retreats can be at the crucifixion, through the action found on www.ccr.org.uk/pentecost or of the Holy Spirit did amazing things – www.pentecostnovena.org or by performing signs and miracles and contacting the Catholic Charismatic taking the gospel to the ends of the Renewal office 020 7352 5298 or earth. There is no reason why we should email [email protected] not be doing the same. We are supposed to experience our own empowering at The Catholic Truth Society has produced, Confirmation, when we make our adult with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, a commitment to Christ. But instead helpful prayer guide for Easter-tide called for many this has become an empty ‘Road to Pentecost’ and a Pentecost ritual – an exit sacrament rather than novena leaflet. Pentecost vigils – all night the source of a new strength and if possible - with adoration of the Blessed commitment. Recent popes, aware of Sacrament, are also an excellent way to this, have called for a new Pentecost in help us to tap into the expectation of the the Church. How in practice might we early apostles waiting in the Upper Room co-operate with this? for the coming of the Spirit. Pentecost is the feast of unity so a good opportunity Firstly I would suggest raising the bar to join in with something ecumenical or of expectation of what it means to be with other nationalities, sharing music a Catholic, that is, seeing ourselves as and food to mark Pentecost as the contemporary Disciples of Christ rather birthday of the universal Church. The more than simply Mass goers or nice people. we prepare and the more we focus, the We need to begin by reading the Acts of Painting by more we receive! the Apostles as a living book aware that © Mary di Piro Kristina Cooper, Catholic Journalist the same Holy Spirit is operating today Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement 2 + The Catholic Voice of Lancaster + June 2011 www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk EDITORIAL he killing of Osama Bin Laden by US Special Forces has cultivating hatred against our enemies. We are all sinners and we all Tbeen the cause of mixed feelings and thoughts for many need Christ’s forgiveness.’ people around the world. His death has been greeted around the world with a similar sense of relief that people must The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is certain that the only way to truly have felt when they learnt of the death of Adolf Hitler or defeat Osama Bin Laden and his evil influence that lives on after Joseph Stalin. his death is not to rejoice in his killing but to seek mutual forgiveness and understanding between Muslims and the West. It is natural to feel that as we come up to the tenth anniversary of the murderous attack on New York’s Twin Towers that the In response to Osama Bin Laden’s death the Muslim Council of leader of Al Qaeda has received some form of just punishment Britain released a press release, that sadly received little notice in for master-minding the killing of 2,977 innocent men, women the mainstream media, under the headline, ‘Now let the healing and children. begin’: However, the scenes of young American men and women ‘Few will mourn the reported death of Osama bin Laden, least of all crowding the streets and rejoicing at the killing of Osama Bin Muslims. Many Muslims will reflect on the ten years that have passed Laden, though understandable, have disturbed, even revolted, in which our faith and our community have been seen through the Contact us many who witnessed them on their televisions. prism of terrorism and security… Al-Qaeda’s ability to sow discord The Catholic Voice of Lancaster and mistrust between Muslims and others has caused untold is published on the last Sunday of the The Vatican issued a statement giving voice to the same disquiet, damage. We must restore our belief in human dignity and peace by month previous to publication date. saying Christians can never rejoice in the death of a fellow ensuring that we stand firm against all forms of hatred, injustices human being: and violence.’ The Catholic Voice of Lancaster is published by its owners. The Trustees The Catholic Voice of Lancaster whole-heartedly supports the of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Muslim Council’s call that together we embrace this moment as Lancaster, a registered charity, a time for healing to begin between our two communities by (No. 234331), and is wholly independent Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the standing united in our opposition to all forms of hatred, injustice of and separate from any previous ‘ and violence. newspaper published by or on behalf most serious responsibility for spreading of the diocese. divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, EDITOR: Edwina Gillett and manipulating religions to this end. 01253 736630 / 07969 967268 In the face of a man’s death, a Christian [email protected] www.catholicvoiceoflancaster.co.uk never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God ADVERTISING: and before men, and hopes and works so that Nick Layton / CathCom Ltd. 020 7112 6710 every event may be the occasion for the [email protected] further growth of peace and not of hatred. www.cathcom.org DESIGN & LAYOUT: Rob Hotchkiss / Hot Creative Furthermore, Cardinal Albert Vanhoye,’ the most prominent [email protected] www.hot-creative.co.uk Catholic cleric to speak on the matter, said that Christians should not only pray for the soul of Osama Bin Laden and for the souls of PUBLISHED BY: his victims, but should also remember the moral imperative to CathCom Ltd. forgive one’s enemies: 2/4 Church Street, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, CB9 7DG ‘I have prayed for the soul of Osama Bin Laden. We have to pray for 0870 228 4266 him just like we pray for the victims of Sept 11. It’s what Jesus www.cathcom.org teaches Christians. Jesus obliges us to forgive our enemies. The ‘Our Father’ that we recite every day says that. “Does it not say ‘Forgive us Articles to: our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us’?” It’s [email protected] not possible to accept this prayer while holding on to rancour and Stand United Letters to: [email protected] BY THE WAY… VoiceXtra: [email protected] Inspire and strengthen us Postal Address: FAO Edwina Gillett ertullian in the 2nd century recognised the brave witness crime”. In the church of St John Southworth in Cleveleys there is a 99 Commonside, Ansdell, Tof the martyrs to Christ and His Church as the reason for striking stained glass window which simply states ‘My faith is my Lytham St. Annes FY8 4DJ the remarkable spread of the Church by declaring that ‘the crime’ alongside the Southworth coat of arms. Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church’. Please send articles for publication on CD A female English martyr is Anne Line who after her husband’s or by email, supplying any photos separate Each year we celebrate on May 4th the Feast of our English death in 1594 was appointed manager of the House for Priests in to the text (i.e. in jpeg format). Otherwise Martyrs, in whose honour our Parish at the High Cross, London. Like Margaret Clitherow, she was condemned for please type double spacing or write very Poulton was named. Etched on our side windows are two great harbouring priests. When reproached on the scaffold for being a clearly. Last date for copy is the LAST English martyrs, Bishop John Fisher, & Thomas More, a former ‘receiver of priests’ she declared “where I have received one , I would DAY of the month prior to publication. Chancellor of England. We celebrate their feast day on June to God that I had been able to have received a thousand”. Photographs will be returned if you 22nd.