Friday 26th February 2021 • £2.40 • €2.70 Subscribers only pay £1.94 www.thecatholicuniverse.com Build back with the Eucharist as our base Bishop draws inspiration from Book of Genesis and Noah ‘as we emerge from lockdown with a renewed hope in God’ Nick Benson and Simon Caldwell duce the spread of the virus, Bishop As the UK slowly emerges from the Davies recalled how a sign of hope Covid-19 crisis with a glimmer of had been with the public throughout hope, looking to re-establish its coro- the crisis. navirus-ravaged socio-economic sys- Pointing out how the rainbow set tem and freedoms, the Bishop of against the clouds had become a sign Shrewsbury has encouraged Catholics of hope for Noah and his family, Bish- to rebuild the Church on the founda- op Davies recalled how it had also tion of the Eucharist. become a sign of hope during the As Prime Minister Boris Johnson public health crisis “whether painted announced his roadmap to cautiously by children, posted in windows or ease lockdown restrictions in England projected on public buildings”. earlier this week, Bishop Mark Davies The biblical significance of the rain- said the faithful should draw inspira- bow, Bishop Davies said, was to signify tion from the story of Noah in the that God’s purpose is always to save Book of Genesis who, with his family, and bring people to new life in spite he said, “emerged from ‘a state of of their sinfulness and the disasters lockdown’ with renewed hope in God’s that result from sin. saving purpose”. “God’s purpose is always to save While Mr Johnson paid tribute to and bring us to new life,” he said. the extraordinary success of the UK’s “This is our personal experience every vaccination programme and the re- time we make a sincere confession solve of the British public in following and know the grace of the Holy Spirit the lockdown restrictions, which has sent for the forgiveness of sins.” The world’s largest Gothic altarpiece is once again dazzling visitors after a helped to cut infection rates and re- Continued on page 2 six-year restoration project. Conservators concluded their work on the Thanksgiving wooden altarpiece at St Mary’s Basilica in Kraków this month. The masterpiece was completed by Bavarian sculptor Veit Stoss between 1477 and 1489, and features scenes depicting the Dormition and Assumption of END IN SIGHT FOR COVID-19 RULES for Gothic the Blessed Virgin Mary. Route out of restrictions - pg 2 The basilica announced that an act of thanksgiving for the successful Caution welcomed by academics - pg 6 masterpiece completion of the restoration project will be celebrated on 15th August, the feast of the Assumption. This week’s Companion £2.40 €2.70 Winter skincare: Find The best first cars the right moisturiser for first-time drivers your skin needs Can probiotics boost our digestive health? The most iconic album covers of all time 02 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com News Follow the Catholic Universe on twitter @ukcatholicpress Build back with Eucharist Johnson route map offers as our base Continued from page 1 Bishop Davies noted that more than hope of a ‘normal’ summer 100,000 families throughout the coun- try were now mourning the loss of Prime Minister Boris Johnson has re- • Weddings attended by up to 15 family members from Covid-19. vealed England’s roadmap out of lock- people can take place. Many lessons had been learned down, with a plan to ease restrictions from the pandemic, he added, and over four separate stages. Stage three (no earlier than 17th May) he praised the quiet heroism many Before moving to the next step, the • People can meet in groups of up showed which reflected the demands Government will examine the data to to 30 outdoors and six people or two of Christian life echoed in Lent to assess the impact of previous steps, households can meet indoors. prayer, self-denial and generosity. with assessments made on four tests: • Pubs, restaurants and other hos- The bishop said it was also highly vaccinations, lower hospitalisation pitality venues can seat customers significant that throughout the pan- and deaths, the NHS and variants. indoors. demic the faithful had made “strenu- • Up to 30 people can meet to cele- ous and unprecedented efforts” to re- Stage one – part one (from 8th March) brate weddings or other life events, • All schools and colleges will reopen such as christenings. ‘The faithful had and university students return for • Remaining outdoor entertain- made strenuous practical courses. Face coverings are ment, including outdoor theatres and efforts to turn to recommended for secondary schools cinemas, can open. the Eucharist’ and for parents and staff in primary • Indoor entertainment, including said Bishop Mark schools. museums, theatres, cinemas and chil- • The stay at home requirement re- dren’s play areas, can open. Perform- peatedly turn to the Eucharist, in- mains but people can go outside for ances and large events will be subject recreation – including a coffee or pic- to limits. Indoor events can be at half cluding acts of spiritual communion The routemap offers hope capacity or 1,000 people, while out- when watching Mass over the internet nic – with their household or support that hospitality venues during the times when it was not per- bubble, or with one person outside will be open by May doors they can be at half capacity or missible to attend Mass publicly. their household. 4,000 people – whichever is lower. For Bishop Davies encouraged the faith- • Care home residents can have large venues (at least 40,000 capacity) ful to continue their efforts to fully one nominated regular visitor (see will end but people should stay local and pub gardens can serve customers up to 10,000 can attend re-establish the life of the Church in facing page). as much as possible sitting outdoors, including alcohol • Hotels, hostels and B&Bs reopen. the coming months on the same foun- • Weddings with up to six people in • Outdoor sport facilities will reopen • Gyms and spas can reopen, as • International leisure travel will dation of the Eucharist, promising attendance can take place. and outdoor sports can restart can hairdressers, beauty salons and resume no earlier than 17th May them they could be sure nothing • Parents and children groups can other ‘close contact services’. • Adult indoor group sports and ex- would be lacking in their sense of Stage one – part two (from 29th return but are capped at 15 and must • UK ‘staycations’ are permitted. ercise classes can resume mission if Eucharistic love pervaded March) be outdoors. Indoor groups can take • Children can attend indoor play their parishes. • People can meet outside, with one place for vulnerable children. activities. Stage four (no earlier than 21st June) “The Book of Genesis tells how the other household or within the ‘rule • Zoos, theme parks, drive-in cine- • All legal limits on social contact priority for Noah’s family, having barely of six’, including in private gardens. Stage two (no earlier than 12th April) mas, libraries and community centres can be removed set foot on dry ground, was to build • The stay at home requirement • All shops can open and restaurants can reopen. • No legal limits on life events. an altar for the Lord. In the same way, our union with Christ in the Mass, in the Sacraments and in daily prayer, Catholic educators ready for pupils’ return must be our own enduring priority,” Bishop Davies said. “The very restric- Catholic educators have welcomed the Government is right to prioritise Sean McClafferty, Trust Chief Ex- to be back in the classroom with their tions imposed by the pandemic have the Government’s prioritising of the the opening of schools,” a CES ecutive, told The Catholic Universe teachers and friends. Our staff are helped us treasure our churches as re-opening of schools as one of the spokesperson told The Catholic Uni- that schools had been delivering “high very much looking forward to seeing places of prayer, silence and personal first steps of its roadmap out of lock- verse. quality” remote learning during the all children back in school.” encounter with Christ. down, saying it is important for chil- “This will be welcome news to many lockdown period, which, he said, will The Government has advised staff “I hope we will continue to make dren’s health, development and well- millions of families. Teachers in stand pupils in good stead when they and students in secondary schools generous efforts in 2021, to keep being. Catholic schools have worked tirelessly return to school. and colleges to wear face coverings church doors open wherever this is All students will begin to return to to ensure that Catholic schools re- “Staff across all of our schools will in all areas, including classrooms, possible; and ensuring we give of our face-to-face education in England’s mained open for vulnerable children be well prepared for pupils’ return where social distancing cannot be best in everything connected with the schoold and colleges from 8th March. and the children of key workers.” and will be equipped with the skills maintained and as a temporary extra Mass and the adoration of the Blessed The Catholic Education Service St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi and tools to spot gaps in learning so measure. Sacrament at the heart of every one (CES) welcomed the announcement, Academy Trust, a partnership of the we have urged parents not to worry Wraparound childcare for primary our communities. as it praised teachers for their “tireless” Catholic Voluntary Academies in the about this,” said Mr McClafferty.