News

We know that God is merciful and therefore we know that his enemy is not. Nothing can stop this monstrous wave of evil except prayer. The Archdiocese continues to give us its material aid. It is now more important than ever that they continue to give us their spiritual aid as well.

A seminarian’s view My name is Dmytro Holyk, and I am a seminarian of the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church at the Drohobych Seminary of the Priest-Martyrs Severin, Yoakim and Vitaly.

The night of 24 February interrupted the flow of seminary life and changed everyone forever. We were all subconsciously aware that a war could start at any moment, but no-one could really believe it. When I went out on the balcony that morning, I heard a noise and saw a military fighter plane. Then I had the real feeling that war had come. This meant that we seminarians could no longer be together and study and pray as a community, because the seminary is a crowded place and it would be a dangerous location.

At home, I felt separated from common prayer life. Thank God that in Drohobych, where I live, there is a monastery of the Basilian Fathers, where I could pray Vespers and the Divine Liturgy together with the monks. However, this required a testimony of my faith, as I often heard air-raid sirens when I was walking to the monastery or while we were praying together. Our academic life continued with online lessons, and after lectures we often helped in the seminary with humanitarian aid.

During this time, I often remembered the words of Saint Cyprian of Carthage, that we must not despair but rather ‘rejoice and embrace the gift of the occasion … while we are firmly expressing our faith, and having endured sufferings, are advancing to Christ by the narrow way of Christ’ (De mortalitate, 14).

In the light of Divine Providence, it is possible to single out a positive moment from all of this, because through our presence at home we seminarians were able to support our relatives and friends. Everyone experienced different feelings about the war. Some succumbed to fear but others were full of self-confidence saying that we would win and destroy our enemies. We tried to keep a balance and instil in others faith in God's Providence, which can turn any evil into good because it is only with Him that there will be victory.

In this difficult time, all the seminarians help with their good deeds: they direct humanitarian aid to the victims of the war, they help to settle refugees, and support people spiritually in the occupied territories.

Already, before the war began, twice in the year – for Christmas and Easter –we went on a mission to the eastern part of Ukraine. We met with people from Kharkiv and Tokmak, and prayed with them and did our best to support them in their Church life. I am still in contact with the people we met there. In these ways, our seminary has become a source of help for the needy, both materially and spiritually. It is only through these sorts of activity that we will be able to defeat this personification of evil that has invaded our territory and which encroaches on our national integrity and the freedom of our people.

We all pray that Almighty God, through the prayers and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, will lead our people and give victory over this evil and help us to join the celebration of Lord's Resurrection at Easter, with the resurrection of Ukraine and its victory.

Dmytro Holyk

‘I often remembered the words of Saint Cyprian of Carthage, that we must not despair but rather ‘rejoice and embrace the gift of the occasion ’

News diary

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Concern for the other Churches

by Bishop Tom Neylon

One of the tasks of a bishop is to have a concern for the people, the religious, the priests and his brother bishops in other dioceses. In the New Testament there is evidence from the early years of the Church that there was both a spiritual and a practical concern for the wider Church, as the number of Christian communities grew during the first missionary impulse. If one part of the body is hurting the other parts come to its assistance.

During the past couple of months, I have had my experience and understanding of this reality deepened by the generous outreach of the people and priests of our Archdiocese towards those who are suffering in the Ukraine. I was aware that Father Francis Marsden and the parishioners in Chorley had long established links with the Ukraine. They were able to respond quickly to the needs that were emerging after the invasion.

Across the Archdiocese people were asking the question: ‘What can we do?’ All of us have found ways to respond through prayer, fasting and a practical charity. The Archdiocese of Liverpool, you and me, put our hands in our pockets, donated much needed medical supplies, and other items that will be needed in the longer term, to those who are suffering. As a brother bishop I was able to contact Bishop Gregory Komar auxiliary bishop of Drohobych, via WhatsApp, to express our solidarity with him and those who have sought refuge in his diocese from other parts of the Ukraine. In the coming weeks and months may we continue to support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

Bishop Tom Neylon is a member of the Department for International Affairs of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

Bishop Tom will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Tuesday 31 May. He was ordained by Pope St John Paul II in Heaton Park, Manchester and on his anniversary he will concelebrate Mass with those ordained alongside him at Our Lady of Grace church, Prestwich –the nearest church to Heaton Park. We send our good wishes to him.

Carrying the Cross

The annual ‘Carrying the Cross’ procession organised by the Missionaries of Charity from Seel Street returned to Liverpool City Centre on Saturday 9 April after a break of two years due to the pandemic. The weather was fine for the walk which began in Church Street, passed through Bold Street and finished at St Luke’s church – the bombed-out church. During the walk the pilgrims paused for the 14 stations of the cross led by Father Terry Madden MAfr from St Vincent de Paul in St James Street. The devotions were well received by shoppers who joined in with prayers at each station. On arrival at St Luke’s Father Terry led a short prayer service and thanked all who had taken part.

Obituary of Rev Anthony Reynolds

Father Tony Reynolds, a much loved parish priest, hospital chaplain and a tireless worker for Christians in the Holy Land died peacefully on the evening of Tuesday 15 February, aged 83 years and in the 67th year of his priesthood. Anthony Reynolds, the son of William and Mary Reynolds, was born in Liverpool on 12 June 1938. He attended Much Woolton Primary School, Liverpool, and Campion House, Osterley, completing his seminary formation at St Joseph’s College, Upholland. He was ordained to the priesthood in the college chapel on his 27th birthday, 12 June 1965. Following ordination, he was appointed as assistant priest at Our Lady’s, Parr. Thereafter he served in several parishes as assistant priest: St Joan, Bootle from January 1971; St Margaret Mary, Liverpool from February 1975; St Francis de Sales, Liverpool from September 1980 and St Luke, Whiston from September 1981. During his final curacy hospital chaplaincy became a stable feature of his priestly ministry, an aspect of his ministry that would continue over many years. In May 1983, he was appointed as parish priest at St Anne’s, Overbury Street, Liverpool. As well as administering a busy city parish, he was

Sue Symons RIP

Sue at work at her home in Peasedown St John The death has been announced of Sue Symons, wife of Christopher Symons, the first Master of Music at the Metropolitan Cathedral (1960-66). Sue died on 16 March, aged 79, only days after moving into a care home in Somerset, together with Christopher who is now in his nineties. Sue was an artist, and she worked in various media. She had created several sets of woven and painted panels, mainly based on Bible events, and her diptychs on the life and miracles of Jesus are on permanent display at Bath Abbey (see https://www.bathabbey.org/bath-abbey-diptychs-the-life-and-miracles-of-jesus/ ). She published a book illustrating her set of 40 panels based on the seven days of creation, ‘Creation: a Celebration’ a few years ago. The actual panels were also exhibited at Bath Abbey. also a chaplain at Liverpool Maternity Hospital on Oxford Street and the Children’s Hospital on Myrtle Street. He blessed the chapel in the latter and a plaque there still bears his name. A few months after his arrival, in November 1983, the maternity hospital was the focus of intense media attention after the birth of the Walton sextuplets. Father Tony always remained very proud that he had baptised them and he remained in contact with the family for many years afterwards. During his time at St Anne’s, he benefitted from the presence of a community of Christian Brothers with whom he shared the very large presbytery. He oversaw a reordering of the sanctuary at St Anne’s and a refurbishment of the church. In August 1989, he moved to St Paschal Baylon, Liverpool, as parish priest, and combined his parochial duties with his role as chaplain at Alder Hey Hospital. Whilst there he celebrated his Silver Jubilee as a priest. He returned to St Luke’s, Whiston, in November 1991, this time as parish priest, resuming his duties as chaplain at Whiston Hospital. In September 1997, after nearly six years at St Luke’s, he moved to Our Lady Immaculate, Bryn, for his final appointment as parish priest. Just as he had done at Overbury Street, so at Bryn he oversaw the reordering of the sanctuary and a refurbishment of the church. In 1999, he was invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre by Archbishop Michael Bowen in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark. Already a veteran of many Holy Land pilgrimages by that point, he continued faithfully supporting the Order’s activities in favour of the Christians in the Holy Land for the rest of his life. After twelve years at Bryn, by which time Father Tony was in his early seventies, he relinquished his responsibilities as a parish priest and moved to Widnes to assist the parish priests of the deanery. Freed from the administrative burden of being a parish priest, Father Tony relished being able to focus entirely on his pastoral duties. Shortly after celebrating his Golden Jubilee he retired, in September 2015, to live happily with his sister, Ursula, in the family home in Woolton Village where four generations of his family had lived.

Cafod walking against hunger during Lent

During Lent, schools and parishes up and down the country walked within their communities raising funds to support the 200 million children whose lives are threatened by malnutrition. Our Lady of Compassion in Formby held their walk on Saturday 26 March setting off from St Jerome’s church and completing a 6k circular route taking in the churches of the parish. 33 parishioners participated as well as 2 four legged friends. Walker, Clare Henderson said, ‘It was a great afternoon of witness and support for the poorest of the poor’. As well as parishes, there were also a great number of individuals taking part and collecting sponsorship. Moira Devlin, a parishioner at Our Lady Help of Christians, Prescot went out on her walks locally in Sherdley Park and in Sefton Park, and has now ventured out as far as Malaga in the beautiful sunshine of Spain. She said, ‘We have had some bad weather with some mud blown in from the Sahara but the sun has come out now. Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored me, especially Father David Melly and the parishioners at Our Lady’s who have been so supportive. I’ve massively exceeded my £200 target, raising £1,185 so far. I’m flabbergasted and incredibly grateful.’ Cafod would like to say a big thank you to all Walk Against Hunger participants. This summer Cafod will be launching their new campaign ‘Fix the Food System’, and would love to see every parish in the archdiocese involved. For more information on how to volunteer for Cafod or help get your parish involved in our campaigns and activities, please contact liverpool@cafod.org.uk or call 07779 804241/2 to speak to Siobhan or Colette, your local Cafod workers, who are always looking for new people to join the growing network of Cafod parish volunteers.

Thrilled to be Scouting

Throughout Covid, Scouting has played a vital role in continuing to give young people an opportunity to enjoy the Scouting experience. From running zoom meetings at the height of Covid, to socially distanced indoor and outdoor activities whilst always following the relevant safety criteria, Scouting has worked hard to maintain some normality for our young people. Young peoples’ lives have been so sorely disrupted by the restrictions placed on them during the Covid pandemic. So as we return to more normal times and after a break of three years, West Lancs Scouts were thrilled to be able to restart their annual Bowlander Competition which has been run for many years. A test of the core scouting skills of team work, hiking, navigation, camping and cooking. The Scouts, all aged between 10 and 14 years, in small groups of 4 and without any adult, had to walk and navigate 20km on Saturday 26 March, cook their evening meal, camp overnight, cook their breakfast and then walk and navigate a further 10km on Sunday 27 March. This year 25 teams took part, who were all a credit to Scouting. An invaluable experience in preparing young people with Skills for Life. Pride of place though went to 8th Penwortham St Teresa’s Scouts of South Ribble, who finished 1st, 2nd and 4th in the competition to win the coveted award. All the Scouts are pupils at St Teresa`s Catholic Primary School or All Hallows Catholic High School.

Synod 2020

In the week beginning March 27th Archbishop Malcolm went to Rome. He travelled with Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Canon Chris Thomas (General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference.) Cardinal Nichols was in Rome for the 40th anniversary of the restored diplomatic relations between the Holy See (The Vatican) and the UK Government. Archbishop Malcolm was in Rome to do what he had promised to do when he first called for a Synod in the Archdiocese. He handed the final Synod Report to the Congregation for Bishops and to the Synod Office – and he also took to the dicasteries the issues that were raised that could not form part of the Synod report (issues outside the remit of a Diocesan synod.) At the Synod Office, Cardinal Mario Grech and Sister Natalie Becquart, were delighted to receive the report of the Liverpool Synod. In the days prior to the visit of Archbishop Malcolm, Cardinal Grech has been a guest speaker at a symposium in Oxford on the emerging synodal Church. At this symposium, held at Campion Hall, Cardinal Grech heard all about the Liverpool Synod from Father Philip Inch and from Father Matthew Nunes. Cardinal Grech told us that when we talk about Synods in Rome we often refer to what has happened in Liverpool. He told us that we were a light shining for the whole Church. In handing over the final synod report, the result of all the listening and the Pastoral Plan, Archbishop Malcolm was entrusting the work that has taken place over almost five years to the universal Church. In many ways it was the Vatican Synod logo made real. The Bishop journeying with his people, in the midst of them, and as Pope Francis often says sometimes in the front, sometimes in the midst but also sometimes walking with those who are struggling to keep on the journey. This handing over is not the final stage of the synod journey because our Pastoral Plan has been so developed that it is an organic, developing reality. So our 6 areas of development: 1. Becoming a Church that accompanies people through life. 2. Becoming a Church that honours the vocation of all the baptised 3. Becoming a Church where synodality is embedded. 4. Becoming a Church that renews its organisational structures and administers its property to serve its mission. 5. Becoming a Church where young people and young adults flourish. 6. Becoming a Church that cares for its priests. are on-going, the Synod journey continues. The pastoral plan is not just a document, it

represents the hopes and dreams of our local Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit It is the way we have discerned our way forward, journeying together, taking an active part in our evangelising mission. Matters outside the remit of a Diocesan Synod: Of the 3,500 proposals received only 88 were found to raise questions that lay beyond the remit of a diocesan Synod. This is just over 2.5% of all the proposals made. These proposals, therefore, were omitted from the list upon which delegates were invited to vote. Nonetheless, in keeping with the commitment made at the outset these have been included in the formal Synod Report as this completes the fulfilment of the commitment to listen and not to disregard anything that we heard. These issues raised by these proposals touch on four areas of the life of the Church: The Ordained Ministry – an end to compulsory celibacy, the ordination of women to the Diaconate, and 22 proposals about the ordination of women as priests. Liturgical issue: questions about the translation of liturgical tests and the request for widespread celebrations of general absolution were the main issues raised. Ecumenism: about the Catholic Church becoming a full member of the World Council of Churches and the question of intercommunion. Governance: a number of proposals invited prayerful reflection on the way the Church is governed and asked the Archbishop to communicate their concerns to the Holy See – particularly a request that decision making in the Church need not be restricted to the ordained. The Vatican Synod 2021 -2023 The Diocesan Report for the Vatican Synod (which can be read at www.liverpoolcatholicresources.com/synod2023) has been written using the listening report that was the first part of our own Synod process, the issues outside the remit of a diocesan synod and the contribution of the 80 participants who responded to the invitation to make further comments as part of the Vatican Synod. Canon Chris Thomas, Archbishop Malcolm, Sister Natalie Becquart, Cardinal Mario Grech, Cardinal Vincent Nichols

Sunday 1 May Liverpool Bach Collective Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 6 ‘Bleib bei uns, den es will Abend werden.’ (‘Stay with us, for Evening falls.’) 6.30 pm at St Joseph’s Church, Warren Road, Blundellsands, L23 6UE. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. www.liverpoolbach.com Email: liverpoolbach@icloud.com

Sunday 8 May World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Tuesday 10 May Time out on Tuesday – enjoy some personal quiet time to deepen your relationship with God 10.00 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane; Liverpool, L15 6TW. Please bring your own lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Suggested offering for the day is £10.00. No booking required. For more information contact Sr Winnie Tel: 0151 722 2271 email: morleywinifred6@gmail.com

Friday 13 May 55th anniversary of the dedication of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Tuesday 17 May Day of Prayer for survivors of sexual abuse.

Thursday 19 May Newman Circle Talk ‘Science and Faith: Life’s Work, Life’s Calling.’ Speaker: Canon Mike Kirby, Canon Scientist, Diocese of Liverpool. 7.30 pm at St Helen’s Parish Centre, Alexandra Road, Crosby, L23 7TQ.

Saturday 21 May ‘Come apart and rest awhile’ Quiet Day. 10.00 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane; Liverpool, L15 6TW. Please bring your own lunch, tea/coffee are provided. Suggested offering for the day is £10.00. No booking required. For more information contact Sr Winnie Tel: 0151 722 2271 email: morleywinifred6@gmail.com

Thursday 26 May Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Newman Circle Annual General Meeting 7.30 pm at St Helen’s Parish Centre, Alexandra Road, Crosby, L23 7TQ.

Sunday 29 May World Communications Day fahret auf mit Jauchzen.’ (‘God goes up with Shouts of Joy.’) 6.30 pm at St George’s Church, Northumberland Terrace, Everton, L5 3QG. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. www.liverpoolbach.com Email: liverpoolbach@icloud.com

Mondays 9,16, 23 May Life in the Spirit Seminar with the Prince of Peace community each Monday 7.00 pm at Holy Family, Hall Lane, Cronton, Widnes, WA8 5DP. Themes include: God’s Love, Salvation, the New Life, Receiving God’s Gift, Praying for Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Growth and Transformation in Christ. Refreshments available. Donations to over costs.

Sunday 5 June Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Walk 2022/ Platinum Jubilee Pentecost Party in Liverpool The big emphasis of the jubilee weekend on Sunday will be community street parties which will be held throughout the country. The main event at the Pentecost Walk 2022 is a Platinum street party type celebration for all generations in the Anglican Cathedral, with long trestle tables, space for family picnics, rugs on the floor and lots of bunting. This is to join in with the Queens' Platinum Jubilee as well as celebrating the joy of Pentecost. Please bring your families and church communities along!

Pentecost Sunday 5th June 3.00 pm 10 minute open air service at the Metropolitan Cathedral 3.15 pm Please note that the walk down Hope Street which is scheduled to take place at 3:15 pm is awaiting confirmation. Updates will be posted on the CTMR website at https://www.ctmr.org.uk/Groups/341586/Pentecost.aspx If it is possible there will be a mass community choir – children may be waving flags or banners 3.45 pm 5 minute all age service in the Anglican Cathedral - maybe with some action songs and readings 4.00 - 4.45 pm Picnic time and activities 5.00 pm Pack up time and finish

Would you consider getting involved in the Platinum Jubilee Pentecost Party? Would you be interested in bringing some families, church communities and friends along? Would you be willing to lead an activity e.g. craft table / face painting / circus skills / percussion workshop? Whatever you enjoy and find easy. Please contact ‘In Another Place’ directly admin@inanotherplace.com if you would like to lead an activity. For more information visit www.ctmr.org.uk

“It’s an eccentric pastime,” admits Father John Goddard as he interrupts the pleasures of a trip on his canal boat to speak to the Pic. Not your usual hobby perhaps, but then this is not your usual priest. The 74-year-old is the diocese’s newest priest – and certainly the first to have once been an Anglican Bishop. His ordination by Bishop Tom Williams in the Metropolitan Cathedral crypt on Saturday 2 April came 51 years after he was ordained as an Anglican priest. ‘There is the whole different approach to life but both were in their particular ways very exciting,’ he reflects of two moments half-a-century apart. Then he had his parents with him; now the congregation included his sons, Michael and Gareth, and his grandson, Jimmy. The presence of Bishop Tom – ‘someone who has helped me no end’ – was significant too. His wife of 51 years, Vivienne, had urged him to speak to Bishop Tom amid a period of soulsearching. ‘She suggested I have a conversation with him and from that everything flowed wonderfully,’ he explains. There were also supportive conversations with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon and Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly before he was received into the Catholic Church last year at Pentecost. Having received a dispensation from Rome, he was ordained deacon on Tuesday 29 March –four days before his ordination as a priest. As Father John explains, he had long considered this path now taken. He resigned as Bishop of Burnley in 2014, shortly after the Church of England’s synod voted to allow women bishops. He elaborates on why: ‘I had always believed myself to be a Catholic within the Church of England, working for the reunification of the two churches. That sounds very grand but it was a commitment I made early on.’ With the vote for women bishops, he saw the two Churches moving further apart. ‘In my mind it has called off the whole development of ARCIC, the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, which I felt was one of the most positive things we were given. ‘As I put in my press release,’ he adds, ‘I am a Christian by baptism, I am a Catholic by conviction and I was a member of the Church of England while I thought I could still be all of those three things together. Increasingly I thought they couldn’t be held together. I now know that I'm called to the fullness of the Catholic faith, within the Catholic Church.' He cites the principles of Tractarianism –the Oxford Movement which led St John Henry Newman from the Anglican Church to the Catholic Church. There was also the influence of his father, William, an Anglican priest who was Anglo-Catholic in his thinking. Fr John’s road to religious life began on leaving Wells Cathedral School in his home county of Somerset at 18. He spent a year in Ghana with the White Fathers before studying Theology at Durham University. There, on his first day, he met Vivienne, a student on the same course; Mugwump, their canal boat is named after the shop they frequented for coffees. As an Anglican priest he had a series of placings in and around Middlesbrough before being appointed dean there and, subsequently, honorary canon of York Minster. After four years as vice-principal at Edinburgh’s Episcopalian Dalian Theological College, he moved to Ribbleton in Lancashire before being named Bishop of Burnley in 2000. ‘It has largely been a mixture of urban, deprived areas and they’ve been wonderful parishes and people to work with,’ he says. ‘I was very blessed in my ministry. There’s something wonderful you receive as a person who’s involved in areas of poverty and difficulty where people do not cloak what they want to say to you – it’s not all wrapped up in politeness.’ Now for his new life as a Catholic priest in this diocese. He is grateful for ‘the generosity of so many of the clergy’, explaining how he felt ‘so welcome at the Chrism Mass’ at the Cathedral in Holy week. And he highlights the support of Fr Gerald Anders, priest of the nearest parish to his home – Our Lady, Help of Christians in Tarleton – where he said his first Mass the day after his ordination. It is at nearby St Oswald’s, Longton, where he now serves as assistant to Fr Michael Barrett, the parish priest, while assisting in the diocese as requested. ‘It is lovely how in both these churches I’ve been made to feel so welcome,’ he says. ‘I celebrated Mass on Easter morning at Longton and it was a great joy to be able to do that. I felt a completion, a fullness. I felt at home.’

Father John Goddard

A new priest with a lifetime’s experience to draw on - by Simon Hart