CHILDREN’S CANTATA recalling Replicia of the BL ACK MADONNA OF the Legend of St Mungo was CZĘSTOCHOWA icon arrives in brought to life at Glasgow Scotland on its pro-life Cathedral on Tuesday. Page 7 pilgrimage. Page 3 No 5493 YOUR NATIONAL CATHOLICwww.sconews.co.uk NEWSPAPER SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH Friday November 16 2012 | £1 It is ‘wonderful to CELTIC FC GOES BACK TO ITS ROOTS be old,’ Pope says I Pope Benedict XVI champions both quality and value of life for the elderly while addressing peers By Ian Dunn IT IS ‘wonderful to be old’ Pope Benedict XVI revealed during a visit to a care home for seniors in Rome. The 85-year-old Holy Father urged Catholics to see old age as a sign of God’s blessing—and he called for society to value the presence and wis- dom of the old—on his Monday visit to the resi- dence run by the lay Community of Saint Egidio. “Though I know the difficulties that come with being our age, I want to say, it’s wonderful being old,” he told residents who came from around the world and included an elderly couple from Haiti whose home was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake. Shortsighted society Pope Benedict (above) said they need to see the The Pope told those gathered at the residence that help they require as a gift of God, ‘because it is a in the Bible a long life is considered a blessing grace to be supported and accompanied and to feel from God, but often today’s society, which is the affection of others.’ ‘dominated by the logic of efficiency and profit, Walking with his white-handled black cane, the doesn’t welcome it as such.’ Pope visited several of the residents in their rooms “I think we need a greater commitment, begin- and apartments before addressing them and mem- ning with families and public institutions, to bers of Saint Egidio in the garden. ensure the elderly can stay in their homes,” the One of the residents, 91-year-old Enrichetta Pope said so they can ‘pass on their wisdom to Vitali, told the Pope: “I don’t eat so much any- younger generations.’ more, but prayer is my nourishment.” “The quality of a society or civilisation can be She asked the Holy Father to ‘pray that I don’t judged by how it treats the elderly,” he added. lose my memory so I can keep remembering peo- Dignity of human life ple in my prayers.’ Pope Benedict also insisted on recognition of the Solidarity and Scotland dignity and value of all human life, even when ‘it The Pope’s visit forms a part of the European Year for becomes fragile in the years of old age.’ Active Ageing and Solidarity Among Generations. “One who makes room for the elderly, makes He affirmed that the elderly ‘are of value to The spotlight fell on St Mary’s Calton, Glasgow, last week when Fr Tom White celebrated a Mass to mark the room for life,” he said. “One who welcomes the society, above all for the young.’ 125th anniversary of the founding of Celtic Football Club at the parish. Manager Neil Lennon and other high elderly, welcomes life.” “There can be no true human education and profile figures associated with the club joined the celebrations exactly 125 years to the day that Brother The Holy Father told the residents that he knows growth without fruitful contact with the elderly, Walfrid called in the parish hall for a club to be founded to help feed the poor. For full report, see page 2 the aged face difficulties, especially in countries because their very existence is like an open book in PIC: GERARD GOUGH where the global economic crisis has hit hard. And, which younger generations may find valuable guid- he said, the elderly can be tempted to long for the ance for their own journey through life,” he said. past when they had more energy and were full of The Pope’s words on the elderly have resonance She agreed with the Holy Father that the gener- She also stressed the Pope’s message about the plans for the future. around the world but particularly in Scotland, ation she was working with still had much to teach importance of spiritual care. However, the Pope said: “Life is wonderful where proposed assisted suicide legislation has the youth of today. “Here the spiritual aspect is very important, as it even at our age, despite the aches and pains and struck fear in the hearts of the elderly and the ill. “Just look at their life stories,” she said. “The is to many people towards the end of their lives,” she some limitations.” Linda O’Neill, the general manager of Nazareth generation we’re working with here lived through said. “I think that’s something that the old people “At our age, we often have the experience of House, a residential facility for elderly in Glasgow a World War. We may have Afghanistan but it’s not here find of great comfort being with the nuns here.” needing other’s help, and this happens to the Pope run by the Sisters of Nazareth, said she thought the real to us, they lived it. I think we need to think as well,” he told the residents. Pope’s message had great ‘truth to it.’ about how lucky we are compared to them.” I [email protected] YOUNG PEOPLE KEVIN McKENNA PRIEST’S DEATH suggest how can on why Catholics has left Syrian we share our should make community Faith with people Stonewall and its traumatised, says who reject it backers pay UK mother BIGOT SLUR CRISIS IN SYRIA IN CRISIS Page 4 STRONG IN FAITH Page 10 Page 8 visit www.sconews.co.uk SCO, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BT I tel 0141 221 4956 I fax 0141 221 4546 I e-mail [email protected] 2 PICTURE NEWS THE SCO SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER Friday November 16 2012 125 years of Celtic Football Club By Dan McGinty work carried out by and on behalf of the evening was sure to end in victory thanks to Pics: Gerard Gough club across with world today, with chil- the prayers of the assembled Celts. dren’s charities being operated by support- “I’ve had a word upstairs with senior CELTIC supporters from across Scot- ers on three continents and numerous management asking for Celtic to win land and beyond gathered in St Mary’s charitable endeavours being endorsed and tomorrow night,” said, Fr White. “But Church in the Calton as parish priest supported by the club. remember, I can’t give any guarantees. I Fr Tom White celebrated Mass on the With supporters being encouraged this only deal in sales. If you need to complain club’s 125th anniversary. year to each raise £125 for charity to mark you’ll have to do it directly.” The Mass was celebrated last Tuesday, the club’s anniversary, through the 125-4- The Celtic supporters who listened to Fr 125 years to the day after the Glasgow foot- 125 campaign, the Rev Ian Miller said in White’s words in a packed St Mary’s had ball team was founded in the St Mary’s his speech before Mass: “I am unashamedly no need to complain, as a famous week in parish hall by a committee of East End delighted by this club’s Christian princi- Celtic’s history was rounded of with an Catholics led by Brother Walfrid, a Marist ples.” astonishing 2-1 win against Europe’s great- from Ballymote in Sligo. A congregation of est assembly of footballing talent, underlin- ordinary supporters and Celtic alumni Celebrations ing the great journey Celtic has taken since gathered alongside manager Neil Lennon, Following Mass, supporters were invited its humble first meeting in the East End who read a bidding prayer, and Celtic’s bil- back to Celtic Park where they enjoyed a parish. lionaire majority shareholder Dermot simple meal in honour of the club’s initial Desmond (above right). goal of bringing nourishment to the poor people of Glasgow. History Among the representatives of Celtic soci- Before Mass the guests were treated to a eties and supporters groups, including celebration of the club’s history Ian Celtic’s oldest supporter, 108-year-old Clare Bankier (right), club chairman, Celtic histo- Dawson, were directors of FC Barcelona, rian Terry Dick and the Rev Ian Miller who were in Glasgow ahead of their Cham- from Bonhill Church, a Celtic fanatic. pions League group stage match Members of the Archdiocese of Glasgow against Celtic at Celtic Park Arts Project, led by Stephen Callaghan, the following night. The performed A Happening, a short play high- Catalan club lighting the modern charitable efforts of the offered their club and the Christian principles on which warm con- it was founded. gratula- The evening’s events, which were tions to arranged by the Celtic Graves Society, paid Celtic on particular honour to Celtic’s Catholic roots. their his- They allowed fans to join together in a cele- toric mile- bration of the club—and the parish where stone. it was born—and of the great achievements, Fr White both sporting and social, which have been (below and written into the club’s history in the 125 bottom years since Brother Walfrid asked for a right) teased club to be ‘formed for the maintenance of that the dinner tables for children and the unem- match ployed.’ against FC Great reference was made to the impov- Barcelona erished Irish in Glasgow who the club was the fol- founded to help, and of the inspirational lowing REFRESH YOUR FAITH BETWEEN MASSES WITH THE Friday November 16 2012 SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER THE SCO SUPPORTS THE YEAR OF FAITH NEWS 3 Bishops name,welcome a new general secretary THE bishops of Scotland have appointed Mgr Hugh Bradley to be the new general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.