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Winter 2022 DigitalEdition ArundelCathedralParish Magazine

Editor’sNote4

IntroductionfromCanonDavid6

RememberingPastPilgrimages-TimetoReturn!8 CorpusChristi202220

Michelangelo'sPieta26

TheChristianAttitudetoDeath32

StPhilip’sSchool,Arundel36

TheFriendsOfArundelCathedralCelebrationOfVespers40

ArundelCathedralOutreachandEducationProject44 HolySoulsNovember202250 AllIReallyNeedToKnow54

WhatinLifeWereWings56

TheFriendsOfArundelCathedral-AnnualPilgrimage60

ParishPeople-ColinSwanton64

AVentureofExcitementtotheFleche70

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PhotoCredits
CoverPhoto: StBernadette'sRelicsVisittotheCathedral-October2022 Editor:MelindaHeathcote Design&Production:BrydenIsbister
RaceNightatCathedralCentre-July202278 ReconciliationandFirstHolyCommunion80 TwoParishCelebrations84 CathedralEvents 86
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Season’sGreetingstoallourreaders! Wehopeyouenjoythisour4theditionofthe onlineProclaimer.Ourplanisalsotoprintthis editionasweknowmanyofourreaderspreferto havepapercopies–andwearehopingforyour supporttocontinuetoprintinfuture,aswellas continueonline. Asyouwillsee,Brydenhasdonehisusualmagic andthegraphicsandlayoutaresecondtonone. Wehavesomuchtocelebrateinourparishand lookforwardtohearingfromourreadersofany itemsofinteresttoincludenexttime. Lastbutnotleast,thankyousomuchtoallour contributorsfortheexcellentarticles,allsowellwrittenandinteresting.Enjoy! BestwishesforChristmasandtheNewYear, MelindaHeathcote(Editor)

Editor’sNote November2022

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IntroductionfromCanonDavid

Texthere

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RememberingPastPilgrimages–TimetoReturn!

WithsharplyreducingCovidlevelsandthe increasingresumptionofshort-haulflights,nowis thetimetoplanthatlong-promisedpilgrimage. Attachedareafewpersonal-andadmittedly ratherquirky–memoriesofpilgrimagestofourof thegreatEuropeanlocations:Lourdes;Fatima; MedjugorjeandtheHolyLand. Lourdes LourdesisveryspecialtoA&BDiocesebecauseof theannualpilgrimagewhenmorethan700 pilgrimsfromtheDiocese,sickandable-bodied, travelforaweekofprayer,praise,companionship andgoodFrenchcooking.

AsmallmarkettowninsouthernFrance,inthe foothillsofthePyreneesmountains,about300 milesfromtheSpanishborder,Lourdesisatown ofabout15,000souls–with270hotelstosupport thefivemillionormorepilgrimswhovisiteach year.

Itsfamespringsfromthe1858appearanceofthe BlessedVirginMaryto14-year-oldBernadette Soubirouson18occasionsintheMassabielle Grotto.Sherevealedherselfasthe‘Immaculate

Conception’atermBernadettedidnot understandbutthathadbeendeclaredby PopePiusIXfouryearsearlier.TheLadyalso toldBernadettetodiginthegroundata certainspotandthentodrinkfromthesmall springofwaterthatbegantogushforth. Almostimmediatelycureswerereported fromdrinkingthewater. Lourdeswasthefirstorganisedpilgrimage thatmywifeandIwenton,about10years ago.Aswepassednearthesiteofthe apparitions,myfirstimpressionwasofwall-

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to-wallsouvenirshops(photo1. Walltowalltouristshops)andmy heartsank.Itsoonrebounded whenIdiscoveredthatthatthe SanctuaryofOurLadyofLourdes, the‘Domain’asitisknown,the areaaroundtheapparitions,was entirelycommerce-free,aplaceof peaceandholiness,containingthe Grottoaswellastapstodispense theLourdeswater,severalchurches andbasilicas,andsome administrativeoffices.

MyfavouritetimetovisittheGrotto waslateintheeveningwhenthe crowdshadgone,itwascooland thehubbubofdaytimenoisewas stilled.(photo2.Eveninginthe Grotto)

Ontheotherhand,earlymornings werealmostasspecial.Risingsoon afterdawn,thestreetsweresilent anddesertedapartfromthe occasionalworkmen,leaf-blowing orwateringthestreets.Shivering slightly,weclimbedthehillnextto theBasilicaoftheImmaculate Conceptiontoreachthebeautiful andmovingStationsoftheCross (photo3.TheHighStationsofthe Cross).Highabovethetown,with

thesnow-cappedmountaintopsofthePyreneesinthe distance,westoodinfrontofeachStation,astheLeader proclaimed:‘WeadoreThee,OChrist,andblessThee’,to whichweresponded‘BecausebyThyholycrossThouhast redeemedtheworld’.

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TheDomainisbeautiful.Myfavouriteplace,apartfromtheGrotto,wasthespectacularBasilicaofSaint PiusX,aconcretestructure,completedin1958andalmostentirelyunderground.Theinteriorisvastwith concretebeamscrossingtheceiling,makingitseemasifonewasinsideanupturnedboat–ahugeone, capableofholding25,000worshippers(photo4.TheBasilicaofStPiusX).ItalsocontainsarelicofSt JohnPaulII,apieceofthesoutanehewaswearingon13thMay1981thatismarkedwithhisbloodfrom theattempttoassassinatehim.

Fatima

FatimaistheyoungersisterofLourdes,renownedfortheapparitionsoftheBlessedVirginMarytothree youngshepherdsin1917.ItisincentralPortugal,about90milesnorthofLisbon. Tomymind,thetwositesareverydifferent.

LourdesreflectsthelightandwarmthoftheVirginMary,itshealingsofbodyandspiritspeakofGod’slove andforgiveness.Thegaietyofthetownandthesparklingfast-flowingGavedePauriverthatrunsthrough thetownreflectlifeinitsfullness.

Fatimawithitsbare,sun-scorchedearthismoresombre,perhapsreflectinghumansinfulnessmeriting

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TheBasilicaofStPiusX

God’sjusticeandretribution–aswellasexpressingHisloveanddesireforreconciliation throughprayerandsacrificeleadingtograceandmercy(photo5.BasilicaofOurLadyofthe RosaryinFatima).

TheFatimaapparitionstookplaceinacountrywherethenewrepublicwashostiletothe Church,andtheBlessedVirginspokeoftheneedforActsofReparationandprayerstoconsole Jesusforthesinsoftheworld–indeed,shegavethechildrenaterrifyingvisionofHell.Two ofthethreechildseersthendiedearly,fromtheflupandemic,attheagesofnineandten. OneothersignificantdifferencebetweenLourdesandFatimawasthemiracleofnatural phenomenaprovidedtothehugecrowdgatheredatFatima,whenthesunwasseento‘dance’ intheskyoromitmulti-colouredlights,visibletomanythousandsofthosepresent. IthoughtaboutthatmoresombresideasIwatchedpilgrimsshufflingontheirkneesacross thevastsquareinfrontoftheBasilicaofOurLadyoftheRosary.(photo6.Approachingthe Basilicaontheirknees).Twoofthechildseers–canonisedin2017–areinterredinthe

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BasilicaofOurLadyoftheRosaryinFatima

Basilica,asisthebodyofthethird,SisterLucia. Therearealsoarealtarsdedicatedtoeachofthe 15mysteriesoftheRosary. WevisitedFatimain2017,duringthecentenary celebrationsoftheapparitions.Oppositethe BasilicaofOurLadyistheBasilicaoftheMost HolyTrinityandinfrontofitwasagiantRosary,a spectacularworkofartthatwasilluminatedat nighttime.Itwasawonderfultributetothe significanceoftheRosaryinboththeLourdesand theFatimaapparitions(photo7.TheIlluminated Rosary).

AnotherlinkbetweenLourdesandFatimawas thatboththeapparitionsweregiventopeasant children.Wevisitedtheformerprisonbuildingin LourdeswhereStBernadette’sfamilytookrefuge afterthefatherbecameunemployedin1857;it wasfromthatsitethatBernadettesetoffto collectdrywoodintheMassabielleGrotto. Similarly,thetwohousesoftheFatimavisionaries inthevillageofAljustrelhavebeenmaintained andfilledwithperiodfurnishingstoevokejust howsimplypeasantslived100yearsago.It amusedmetoseehugetouristbusesnavigating thenarrow,windingstreets.(photo8.Navigating thestreetsinAljustrel).

Thereisamovingstorythateight-year-oldSt Franciscousedtoskipschooltovisitthechurch andpraybeforethe‘HiddenJesus’inthe tabernacle.Thestepswherehecroucheddown

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ApproachingtheBasilicaontheirknees
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providedsomeconcealmentandheusedtopraytherefor hours,keepingGodcompany.(photo9.KeepingGod company)Sickwithflu,FranciscoandJacintastill attendedchurchforMass,kneelingbeforetheEucharist. Believinghisdeathwasnear,Franciscoaskedtoreceive the‘HiddenJesus’inhisfirstHolyCommuniononApril3, 1909–anddiedthefollowingday.

Medugorje

IwaslivingandworkinginAsiainthe1980swhenthe phenomenaofMedugorjetookoff,withsixchildren claimingtheyhadseentheBlessedVirginMary,amid reportsofhealings,apparitions,thesun‘dancing,’metal onRosariesturningagoldencolour,crossesoflightinthe sky,conversions,irresistibleurgestoattendconfession andwonderfulfruits,includingimpressivecharityworks. ForvariousreasonsIdidnotfeelabletotravelto Medugorjeuntil30yearslater,in2015.Perhapsitwas becauseIfeltunabletotakethemiraclesatfacevalue, particularlysincetheChurch,thelocalepiscopateaswell asPopeFrancis,hadseriousreservationsaboutthe apparitions.WhiletheVaticanhesitatestoaffirmthe apparitions–understandably,notleastbecausetheyare on-goingandanyfuture‘message’couldcontradict Churchteaching–peoplehavevotedwiththeirfeetand anestimated16millionormorehavenowvisitedthesite. Indeed,in2017PopeFrancisappointedaspecialenvoyto Medugorjeandin2019heauthorisedpilgrimagestherein viewofthe‘abundantfruitsofgracethathavesprung fromit.’However,theDirectoroftheHolySee’sPress

HiddenstepsforkeepingGodcompany

StJamesChurch

Officeemphasisedthattheauthorisationshould notbeconsidered‘anauthenticationofknown events,whichstillrequireexaminationbythe Church’. So,in2015ourplanetoucheddowninSplit AirportinCroatiaandwetookaminibusoverthe mountainstoMedjugorjeinthesouthwestpartof Herzegovina(thesouthernpartofBosniaand HerzegovinaFederation). OurguiderequestedthatwepraytheRosary

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non-stopduringthejourney.Afteranhourorso thebusseemedtobeclimbingsteeplysoI glancedoutthewindow–andwishedIhadnot. Theroadfellawaysteeply;severalhundredfeet belowwasthevalleyfloor.Iresumedpraying withsomeurgencyandatlastwearrivedsafely inMedugorje–thefirstmiracle-andIsawSt JamesChurch,locationofsomeofthe apparitions.(photo10.StJamesChurch)

Thisisfarmingcountry;theparishofMedugorje, populationabout4,500,isrenownedforitsfruit andvegetables,withcherry,plum,pear,peach, appleandapricottrees,butperhapsevenmore soforitsharvestsoftobaccoandwine.Itisalso veryhilly,withsteep,rockyhillsfullofboulders andsharp-edgedrocks.Twohillswerekey destinationsforpilgrims:ApparitionHillwhere OurLadyallegedlyappearedtothevisionaries andCrossMountainwithitslargeconcretecross thattowersoverthevalleybelow. Wehadfollowedthepilgrimguidancenotesto theletterandcamewellequippedwithstout hill-walkingbootsandtwohikingsticks-we evenpractisedonthequietandsmoothroadsof Hove.

OnesunnydayIwasmakingahugeeffort, inchingupthesteepinclineofApparitionHill, jaggedrockstorightandleft,screebreaking awaybeneathmyfeet,thesunhotonmyback andsweattricklingintomyeyes…whenIsawor sensedabluratthecornerofmyeye.An eighty-year-oldIrishgrannywearingplimsolls

sweptpast,herfeetbarelytouchingthegroundthesecondmiracle.

Sadly,thegrannyandotherfamilymembers wereinMedjugorjewithaparticularintentionin mind;toprayforafamilymemberwhohada seriousdrugaddiction. Shortlyafterwards,theemergencyrescueteam withtheirstretcheralsopassedbyandIslowed downevenmore,ifthatwaspossible.(photo11. TheRescueTeam)

Itwasn’talltoilandtrouble.Nearthebase,at thebluecross,whichmarksthespotwherethe apparitionswerereportedtohavetakenplace,a prayerfulspotifevertherewasone,(photo12. TheBlueCross)wethankedGodforHis goodnessandfeltparticularlyclosetoHim.

Theremustbesomethingaboutmountains; Jesusoftensoughtouthighmountainstoprayor meetwiththeapostles.Inasensewewereall lookingfortheLordintheheights.(photo13.

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CrossMountain,climbingtomeettheLord) Andtoanswertheunspokenquestion:‘Yes’, Medjugorjeisindeedaplacewherethespirit feelstheurgetoreconcilewithGod.There wereabout50confessionalswithmost languagescateredforandqueuesmost evenings.Unexpectedly,sinceIhaddeveloped a(fairly)regularconfessionhabit,Ifeltakeen desiretoauditmyownlifeanddigdeepuntilI foundsomethingthatIhadnotyetconfessed –thethirdmiracle.

TheHolyLandissurelythesummitof pilgrimages;theplacewhereourLordwas born,lived,ministered,suffered,died,was buried,roseagainandascendedintoglory. In2013wejoinedapilgrimagevisiting Bethlehem,Jerusalem,theJordanRiver, Galilee,theDeadSeaandseveralotherplaces. ThefirstsurprisewasthatIsraelistiny.Itis onlysixmilesfromJerusalemtoBethlehem,14 totheDeadSeaandaround70toNazareth andtheSeaofGalilee.Thesecondsurprise wasthattheArab/Israeliantagonismwasstill sodeadlyseriousandomnipresent. Onthefirstdaywemadetheshortdrivefrom JerusalemtoBethlehem,stoppingatamassive securitywall,ascaronthelandscapethathad becomeatouriststop.(photo14.SecurityWall nearBethlehem)OurguidewasaPalestinian ChristianArabwhowasabletoexplainthe

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TheBlueCross CrossMountain,climbingtomeettheLord

challengingArabandChristianexperiencesofdailylifeinIsrael.

WanderingaroundJerusalem,wewerefrequentlyremindedofthesecuritysituation,whetheritwas thesuddenroarofafighterplaneoverhead,troopsloungingintheshadeofanancientbuildingor armedsoldiersfilteringthroughthecrowdedbazaarsintheOldCity.

InmanywaysJerusalemliveduptoourexpectationsanditwasacaseof‘Ifonlythesewallscould speak.’Whilethetraditionalhighlightsofthepilgrimage,suchastheChurchoftheHolySepulchre andtheViaDolorosa,madetheexpectedimpact,threeotherlocationsalsospokeloudly.

SinceancienttimestraditionalJewshavelongedtobeburiedinJerusalem(particularlyontheMount ofOlives,somebelievingthatresurrectionwillbeginfromthatlocation)andIwasamazedbythesize ofthecemeteryontheMountofOlives,consideredtobethelargestandholiestJewishcemeteryon earthwithasmanyas150,000tombs.(photo15.MountofOlivesJewishCemetery)Amongthe buriedare,asexpected,rabbisandreligiousscholars,businessmen,culturalandpoliticalfigures, scientists–andthelatePrincePhilip’smother,PrincessAliceofBattenberg,whowasrecognisedas ‘RighteousamongtheNations’,anhonourgiventonon-JewswhoriskedtheirlivestosaveJews duringtheHolocaust.

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SecurityWallnearBethlehem

TheGardenofGethsemaneisnowsmallandbuiltaround-buttherearestillsomewonderful ancient-lookingolivetreesthere.(photo16.OliveTreesinGardenofGethsemane)Ireadrecently thatanItalianresearchstudyfoundthatsomeofthetreesdatedfromtheyear1092ADandwere probablyplantedfromearlierversions. But,ofallthesightsinIsrael,thereisoneinparticularthatstubbornlyremainsinmymemory.

InLuke4:38wearetoldthatJesusleftthesynagogueandwenttoSimonPeter’shousewherehis mother-in-lawwasverysickwithahighfever.Jesuspromptlyhealedherandshegotupandbegan servingthem.Jesushimself,formuchofhisadultlife,alsolivedinthesamesmallfishingvillageof CapernaumontheSeaofGalilee.

ItalianarchaeologistsworkinginCapernaumdiscoveredwhattheybelievetobecompelling circumstantialevidenceofthelocationoftheApostleSimonPeter’shouse.Diggingbelowtheruinsof anearlyByzantinemartyr’schurch,theyfoundanordinaryhousethathadbeentransformedinthe mid-firstcenturyADintoacommunalgatheringplace-possiblythefirstchurchever–withancient religiousgraffitionthewalls.BythefifthcenturyanoctagonalByzantinemartyr’schurchhadbeen builtoverit,carefullypreservingtheoriginalmainroombelow,inasimilarwaytohowothermartyr’s residenceswerepreservedunderneathearlychurchesinIsrael.Amodernchurch(photo17.

PilgrimageChurchofSt.Peter,Capernaum)nowreplacestheByzantineone,revealingtheoriginal1st centuryroombelow(photo18.HouseofStPeter?).

Evenbetter,justaveryshortwalkawayarethewell-preservedruinsofasynagoguedatingtothe firstcentury,presumablytheonewhereJesusattendedandtaught. ItisveryeasytoimagineJesuswalkingbetweenthetwo. Assomeonesaid,Israelisindeed‘thefifthGospel’.

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MountofOlivesJewishCemetery
ProclaimerMagazine:HomePage -19OliveTreesinGardenofGethsemane PilgrimageChurchofSt. Peter,Capernaum HouseofStPeter

HavingbeenunabletocelebrateCorpus Christiatallduringthe2020lockdown, andhavinghadtomakedowithavery abbreviatedversionin2021,therewasa realdeterminationthisyeartogetback tosomekindofnormal.Thetraditionof theCorpusChristiprocessionandCarpet ofFlowerswasinstitutedbyDukeHenry inthe1870s,justafewyearsafterthe greatchurchhadbeencompleted,and thecelebrationhasbecomeadefining featureoftheCathedral,andindeedthe town,takingplacewithoutfaileachyear. Theonlybreak,priortoCovid,occurred duringtheFirstWorldWar,whenthe Estatestaffthenresponsibleforthe CarpetwereallattheFront.

Forsomeonelikemyselfwhohasbeen partoftheParishformanyyears,Corpus Christievokeslotsofmemories-of one’sfirstcarryingbannersalongsidethe redoubtableHeadLadsofyore,Charlie SmithersandDennisHartigan;ofone’s daughtersintheirFirstCommunion

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CorpusChristi2022

dressesstrewingpetalsundertheguidanceofBettyBarrett;oftryingtoholdtheCanopystraight aboveBishopCormacasheswervedleftandrightlikethemaraudingrugbyforwardthathewasin anotherlife;oftakingoverfromJimKenny,withsometrepidation,theroleofdrawingupthefullscaleCarpet;ofthesatisfactionofseeingafinishedCarpetgivingpleasuretovisitorsintheir thousands;andofthemomentsduringthemassandbenedictionwhenonerecognisesthe purposeofitall.

PlanningfortheCarpetbeginssoonafterChristmas,astheappropriatequantityofeachtypeand colourofflowerhastobeorderedwellinadvance.Forthisyearitwasagreedthatthedesign shouldtakeasitstheme‘TheWordofGod’,thethemeoriginallyintendedforthe2020event. Certainwordsandimageswerechosen–anopenbook,awhitedove–alwaysbearinginmind

OncethedesignisagreedIhavetheinterestingtaskofcalculatingtheareaofeachcolourinthe lettersandiconsinvolved;easyenoughinthecaseofasimplegeometricshape,butquitetrickyin thecaseof,forexample,atotallyasymmetricwhitedove.OncewehavetheareasMaryBaggand

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thatwhatevergraphiciconsarechosenhavetoworkwhentranslatedintoflowers.Rathertomy reliefCanonTim’soriginalenthusiasmforagraphicrepresentationofaburningbush,challenging byanystandards,wasnotsharedbyhissuccessor.

herteamcanworkouthowmanyheadsofwhiteofchrysanthemums,forexample,areneededtocover 36squarefeetofcarpet.Meanwhile,withthehelpofFaithHardingIpreparefull-sizecardstencilsto facilitatedrawingupthedesignonheavy-dutypapercoveringthecentralaisle.

WiththecarpetdesigndrawnuponSundayafternoonthewholeofMondayistakenupwithadozen patientvolunteerschoppingupsmallpiecesofgreeneryforthebackground.ThenonTuesdayvolunteers getdownontheirkneesandlaytheflowerheadsonapainting-by-numbersbasis,fillingintheoutlined spacesandshapes.Graduallyalotofchalkmarksonpaperaretransformedintobrightlycolouredimages. Somewillhavenoticedinthisyear’sdesigntheinitials‘MH’includedateitherendofthecarpet.Mary Harding,whosememorytheselettershonour,wasformanyyearsthemainstayoftheteam,awomanof unfailingcompetence,patienceandpositivity,onwhosewatchnothingwouldcomeapart.Thoseofus whohadhadthejoyofworkingwithMarywereconsciousofherspiritateverystageofthisyear’s preparationandcelebrations.

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Inrecentyearswehavehadincreasingnumbersofvisitorscomingintowatchtheprocedureon theMondayandTuesday.AswellasthoselayingtheCarpet,theCathedralisfullofothersworking onthenumerousarrangementsaroundthechurch.MyownfocusatCorpusChristiisofcourseon theCarpetitself,plusabitofstewardingandmaybearoleintheprocession,butIamconsciousof anenormousamountofworkgoingonelsewhere,undertakenbyotherpeople–sortingoutroad closuresandPAsystems,marshallingstewards,settingupthesalestables,managingthecatering intheCathedralCentre,andallsortsofotherduties,manyofthemreceivinglittlerecognition. Wecan,Ithink,feelthatthisyear’sCorpusChristihasbeenagreatsuccess.Anxietiesaboutthe likelycostofflowers,lackofvolunteers,anduncertainweatherwereallconfounded.Certainly

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therewerefewervisitorsthaninthedayswhenCanonWhalereckonedintensof thousands,butWednesdayandparticularlyThursdaywerebusyenough,andtherewere asmanypeopleintheactualprocessiontotheCastleasIcanremember.Reassuringly, enoughwasreceivedindonationsandsalestocoverourcosts.

Withtheservicefinallyover,andtheCathedralemptying,myroleisnotquitedone.I surveythescatteredremnantsofthecarpet,nowreadyfordisposalandcomposting,and assooftenbeforeitisConnorandhisfamilywhoaretherewithbroomsandalastburst ofenergy,tohelprollupthepaperunderlayandsweepawayanotheryear’sdisplay.

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Michelangelo'sPieta

OurCathedral’sPietà–apaintedreplica-situated totheeastoftheBaptistry,is,Ifeel,ofteneither takenforgranted,orpassedwithoutword.Itwas presentedtoourCathedralbythe1stBattalionof thePrinceofWalesLeinsterRegimentin1905 throughgoodworksdoneforthembytheDukeof Norfolkatthattime.Itis,however,areplicaofthe specificwork,nowinSt.Peter’sBasilicainthe Vaticancity,ofaRenaissancesculptureby MichaelangeloBuonarrotiwhosubsequently

sculptedanumberofworksofthesametheme. ‘Pietà’indicatesthequalityofdevotionand dedication–inthiscase,OurLady’smotherly devotionanddedicationtoherbelovedson.The Michelangelosculpturewasoriginally commissionedfortheFrenchCardinalJeande Bilheres,whowasarepresentativeinRome.The themeisofNorthernorigin,popularinthosedays

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inFrance,buthadnotthesamepopularityatthatsametimeinItaly.

Theoriginalsculpture,inCarraramarble,wasmadefortheCardinal’sfuneralmonument,placedinthe ChapelofSantaPetronilla,aRomanmausoleumnearthesouthtranseptofSt.Peter’s,whichthe Cardinalchoseashisfunerarychapel.However,itwasmovedtoitscurrentlocationinthefirstchapel ontherightasoneenterstheBasilica,inthe18thcentury,followingdemolitionofthechapelduring somerebuildingoftheBasilica.ThePietàiscurrentlyshieldedbythickbulletproofacrylicglassafter beingvandalisedin1972.

Michelango’sinterpretationofthePietàisunprecedentedinItalianSculpture.Itisanimportantwork asitbalancestheRenaissanceidealofclassicalbeautywithnaturalism.Sculptingoftheworktookless thantwoyearswhichisquiteamazing!Thestructureispyramidal,andthevertexcoincideswithMary’s head.ThestatuewidensprogressivelydownthedraperyofMary’sdress,tothebase-therockof Golgotha.Thefiguresarequiteoutofproportion,owingtothedifficultyofdepictingafully-grownman

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cradledfull-lengthinawoman’slap.MuchofMary’sbodyisconcealedbyher monumentaldrapery,andtherelationshipofthefiguresappearsquitenatural. Michelangelo’sinterpretationofthePietàwasfardifferentfromthose previouslycreatedbyotherartists,ashesculptedayoungandbeautifulMary ratherthananolderwomanaround50yearsofage.TheMadonnais representedasbeingveryyoungforthemotherofa33-year-oldson,whichis notuncommonindepictionsofheratthetimeofthePassionofChrist.One explanationisthatheryouthsymbolisesherincorruptiblepurity–as,indeed, Michelangelosaidhimself.ThemarksoftheCrucifixionarelimitedtovery

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smallnailmarksandanindicationofthewoundinJesus’side.Christ’sfacedoesnotreveal signsofThePassion-MichelangelodidnotwanthisversionofthePietàtorepresentdeath, butrathertoshowthe“religiousvisionofabandonmentandaserenefaceoftheSon”,thusthe representationofthecommunionbetweenmanandGodbythesanctificationthroughChrist. InthewordsofGiorgioVasari(astudentofMichelangeloandanenthusiasticfriend)who idolisedMichelangeloasanartistandreveredhimasamanandwhoalsowrote‘Lifeof Michelangelo’:“ThePietàwasarevelationofallthepotentialitiesandforceoftheartof sculpture.Itwouldbeimpossibleforanycraftsmanorsculptornomatterhowbrillianteverto surpassthegraceordesignofthisworkortrytocutandpolishthemarblewiththeskillthat

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Michelangelodisplayed.Amongthemanybeautifulfeatures,thisisnotably demonstratedbythebodyofChristitself.Itwouldbeimpossibletofindabody showinggreatermasteryofartandpossessingmorebeautifulmembers,oranude withmoredetailinthemuscles,veinsandnervesstretchedovertheirframework ofbones,oramoredeathlycorpse.…….itstaggersbeliefthatthehandofan artistcouldhaveexecutedthisinspiredandadmirableworksoperfectlyandinso shortatime(onlytwoyears).Itiscertainlyamiraclethataformlessblockof stonecouldeverhavebeenreducedtoaperfectionthatnatureisscarcelyableto createintheflesh”.Thismasterpiecedatesfrom1499,whentheartistwasonly24 yearsold.TheMadonna’syouthful,sweetfaceexpresseshersubmissionto destiny,asshecradlesthedeadChrist’slimpbodyinherlap,yetthedraperyof herdressandveilsuggestanextraordinaryphysicalandmoralstrength,which contrastswiththedelicate,15thcenturyfeatures.Michelangeloputintothiswork somuchloveandeffortthathelefthisnamewrittenacrossthedraperyoverOur Lady’sbreast–somethingheneverdidagaininanyofhisworks!

WemaynothavethebeautyoftheoriginalMichelangeloPietàsculptureinour Cathedral,butreflectiononthedetailsofthatoriginal’sveryspecialfeatures replicatedheremayinspireourappreciationofourownPietàwithitsspiritual meaningandvalues.

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TheChristianAttitudetoDeath

Itseemsthatthesedaysnothingisconsidered‘taboo’asasubjectofconversation,yetpeoplearestillvery reticentaboutspeakingcandidlyofdeath,atleastoftheirowndeath,orthedeathofthoseclosetothem.They veryoftenrefertodeathindirectly,speakingofhaving‘lost’someone,orofalovedonehaving‘passedaway’, andreferringtotheirowndeathbysaying‘iftheworsthappens’,andinthecaseofayoungperson’sdeath,

theywillremark,‘whatawaste’.Butisdeath reallythe‘worst’thingthatcanhappentous,and isayoungperson’sdeatha‘waste’?

TheChurchisrealisticaboutdeath.Itisanevil, therendingapartofthehumanperson;soultorn frombody.Anditcancertainlybevery distressingforthoseleftbehind.Inadditionto theheartbreakoflossandtheemotionaltollof thegrievingprocess,therecanbepractical difficulties,particularlyiftheonewhodiesisthe main‘breadwinner’,oronewhosechiefrolehas beenasacarer.Thelossofsuchaperson, especiallyifunexpected,canradicallychangethe dynamicoffamilyrelationships,both emotionallyandpractically. ButtheChurchencouragesusnottobe consumedbytheburdenofbereavement.Inan

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introductiontoprayerintheofficeofvesperson oneoftheSaturdaysofthefour-weekcycle, thesewordsarefound,‘GodourFatherleadsus forwardwithgreatlovetowardsthejoyfulday whenweenterhisrest.’StPaulremindsusthat wecanlookforwardtotheresurrectionofthe dead;‘Butwedonotwantyoutobe uninformed,brothersandsisters,aboutthose whohavedied,sothatyoumaynotgrieveas othersdowhohavenohope.’[Thes4:13].And intheChurch’sfuneralliturgiesthereisthe sameelementofjoy.Thisinsistenceon joyfulnessmayappearstrangefromahuman standpoint,butfromtheearliestdaysofthe Church,theinspirationofallChristianfuneral riteshasbeenafirmhopeintheresurrectionof thedead.StPaulconfidentlyasserts,‘Butifwe havediedwithChrist,webelievethatwewill alsolivewithhim.’[Rom6:8]Andagain,‘For asalldieinAdam,soallwillbemadealivein Christ.’[1Cor15:22]

Thewordthatisusedmostfrequentlyofthis joyfulhopeandreadinessfortheresurrectionis “peace”(Latin–‘requies’)-awordwhich survivesintoourpresentliturgy,andwhich signifiesthesereneandlastingpossessionofthe

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lifethatGodhaspreparedforthosewholovehim.So,deathisnotanending,butforthosewhodieatpeace withGod,itisatransformation,andatransformationtosomethingmuchbetter.

ButiftheChurchisrealisticaboutdeath,itisalsorealisticabouthumanity.Itrecognisesthateveryonehas sinnedandneedsthemercyofGod.ButtocomeintoGod’spresenceafterdeathweneedtobeabsolutely pureandholy,sosomekindofpurificationis needed.Deathispartofthatprocessof purificationwhichenablesustoexperiencethe visionofGod.Inherfuneralrites,therefore,the Churchoffersprayersforthosewhohavedied. ForChristians,oursorrowandlonelinessatthe lossofalovedonecarries,inthemidstofour tears,oursureandcertainbeliefinthe resurrectionandeternallife.Intheprayersofthe Massweprayforthosewhohavediedwiththe words: “Rememberyourservantwhomyouhavecalled fromthisworldtoyourself.

Grantthathe(she)whowasunitedwithyour Soninadeathlikehis,mayalsobeonewithhim inhisResurrection,whenfromtheearthhewill raiseupinthefleshthosewhohavedied,and transformourlowlybodyafterthepatternofhis owngloriousbody.Toourdepartedbrothersand sisters,too,andtoallwhowerepleasingtoyouat

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theirpassingfromthislife,givekindadmittancetoyourkingdom.Therewehopetoenjoyforeverthe fullnessofyourglory,whenyouwillwipeawayeverytearfromoureyes. Forseeingyou,ourGod,asyouare,weshallbelikeyouforalltheagesandpraiseyouwithoutend”. Death,then,isnotthe‘worst’thingthatcanhappen.Itisthegatewaytothe‘best’thing.Thisiswhat wewerecreatedfor;toenjoythatcloseintimacywithGodwhichisthesourceofallhappiness.In deathwewillhavereachedourperfectfulfilment.Death,evenoftheveryyoung,isnevera‘waste’,but acompletion.Despiteoursorrow,thereissomethingtorejoiceabout.

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StPhilip’sSchool,Arundel

Westartedtheacademicyearby gatheringtogetherintheCathedralfor our‘Beginningofyearmass’.Itwasthe firsttimeReceptionClasshadbeen intochurchwiththeschoolanditwas awonderfulwaytostarttheyear–asa community. TheAutumnTermisalsothetimefor theannualMayor’sService.Eachyear,

ourschoolaredelightedtobewelcomedto celebratethestartoftheMayorofArundel’syear ahead.Wejointherestofthetowninprayerand thankstogether.ThisyearitwascelebratedinSt Nicholas’churchandmanyofourchildren representedtheirRainbows,Brownies,Guides, Beavers,CubsandScoutpacksbywelcomingthe MayorandhiscouncillorsfromtheTownHallinto thechurch.Theyalsocarriedtheirtroop’sflag.Our schoolchoirjoinedwithArundelCofEschoolchoir tosingtogetheraspartoftheservice.Childrenfrom bothschoolsalsowroteandreadtheirownpoem fortheservice.Itisawonderfulexperienceforthe childrentobeinvolvedinthistraditionandbefully involvedwiththecommunity.

PastorHugofromYaptonFreeChurchisaregular visitortoourschoolandwealwayswelcomehis interestingupdatesfromthecharityworkhehas beencarryingoutinotherpartsoftheworld.His mostrecentventurewastoMongolia.Thechildren enjoyhearingaboutlifeandthesupportgivenin placessuchasNepalandMongolia.TheChurchalso supporttheCharity’SoupFromHeaven’whichis

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basedinSouthAfrica.

TheCatholiccharityCafodvisitedourschoolto talktothechildrenabouttheworktheycarry outincountriesaroundtheworld.Theyalso talkedtothechildrenaboutClimateChange andhowthechildrencandotheirbittosupport environmentalissues.

Inschool,duringtheAutumnTerm,wegive thanksforallthatGodhasgivenus.We especiallygivethanksforthefoodwehave,the Autumnalcoloursinnatureandforthefarmers whoworkhardtoprovideuswiththefood.This year,wecollectedHarvestfoodforUKHarvest: https://www.ukharvest.org.uk/Thecharity

visitedusforaspecialassemblytoshow thechildrenwheretheHarvestfoodthey collectisused.Theywereabletoseehow thefoodtravelsfromtheirkitchen cupboardathometothefamilieswhoneed itmostinthelocalarea.Families supportedthecollectionwellandthefood sentoffwill,I’msure,begratefully received.

Year6childrenattendedtheir3day residentialduringOctober.Theytravelled bycoachtoPGLinHindhead.This overnightstaygiveschildrenthe opportunitytobuildtheirindependence

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andconfidence.Theyhaveagreattimeexperiencingactivitiestheyhavenevertriedbeforeand testingtheirresilienceandcomfortzones.Year1wentonatriptoArundelMuseum.Theyweremet bytheeducationleaderintheMuseumandhadtheopportunitytolearnaboutMedievalrealms.It isawonderfulresourcesoclosetotheschool.

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WearenowpreparingforAdvent.Itwillbegin withtheDeaneryAdventServiceintheCathedral. TheDeaneryschoolscometogetherforthis Service.Eachofthefourschools(StMary’s,St Richard’s,StPhilipHowardandStPhilip’s)each contributeanaspecttotheservice–dance, singing,GospelreflectionortheOurFather.The hymnsareledbytheorchestraofStPhilip Howard.

Itisawonderful,communityevent. Thechildrenwillsoonstarttopreparefortheir Christmasevents.Reception,Class1and2,all performtheirversionofTheNativity.KS2children retellthestoryofChristmaswithcostumes,singing andreadings.AddedintotheChristianaspect,we alsohavetripstoseeSanta,thepantomimeand Christmaslunchandparties.Whatabusyterm!

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TheFriendsOfArundel CathedralCelebrationOf Vespers

Summer2022

Ithadseemedalongtime,muchmore than2yearsago,thatTheFriendshad beenabletoenjoytheirtraditional summereventofsungvespers.Two summersofprohibitedgatherings madethethoughtofthisyearextra special.Itwasimportanteverything wasjustperfect.Anditwas!The weather,alwaysaworry,couldnot havebeenbetter.Highpressure ensuredthecelebrationwasblessed withwonderfulwarmsunnyweather. Ithasbeennotedmanytimesbefore thatthereisnothingasbeautifulasthe eveningsunfilteringthroughthe beautifullyrestoredCathedral’sRose window,orasspirituallyinspiringas thebeautifulvoicesofthecathedral choristersunderthemasterfuldirectionoftheirDirectorofMusic, ElizabethStratford.Thecombination ofboth-choirandsunshine-isalways

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indescribablyuplifting,andsoitwasthisevening. MembersandguestsincludedtheLordLieutenant, MrsSusanPyper,attendinginaninformalcapacity, andHerGrace,theDuchessofNorfolk.HerGrace readashortextractfromtheletterofStJames-the subjectofthesubsequenthomily.Theyweretreated toaliturgythatcombinedprayer,choralmusic, reflectivemomentsandperiodsofcommunal intercessions.Membersandtheirguestsconfirmed howmovingwasthewholeexperience.

BishopRichardwasunabletoofficiateashewas dealingwithoutstandingconfirmations,butguests werepleasedthatProvost,CanonAnthonyChurchill, wasabletostandintoleadtheservice,andtohear

CanonDavidParmiterpreachadeeplythoughtful homily.Hereferredtotheshort,butpowerful readingemphasisingthepurityofdivinewisdom, whichmakesforpeace,iskind,andfullof compassion.Hewentontodeveloptheuniversality ofthelinkwithprayer.Heremindedthe congregationthatwhoevertheywere,fromwhatever Christianbeliefthattheymustneverloseheart. PrayerwascentraltoChristianity.Herepeatedthe invitationtothosewhodonotshareCatholicbeliefs butare“ofgoodwilltobepresentandtosharethe liturgy”.“Whensituationsareunclear,peopleand eventsunpredictable,andourownresourcesboth spiritualandmaterialfeeldepleted…”“thereisno

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hotlinetosolvinglife'sdilemmasinstantly……butthereisgracewhichhelpsustolove,tounderstand,to forgiveandtohope”.InviewofnationaleventsoverthesummersinceJuly,whichhavecreatedsomuch uncertaintyandanxietyforsomanypeople,therecouldbenomorereassuringwordsofcomfort. AftertheservicebycourtesyofHisGracetheDukeofNorfolk,HonoraryPresident,Friendsandguestswere invitedforasocialgatheringintheCollectorEarl’sGarden.Thegloriouseveningsummerweather,withnot evenahintofabreeze,madeforaperfectevening.Oldfriendshipswererenewed,andnewfriendships established.Glassesof‘fizz’andcanapeswereservedbychoristersandtrusteestotheaccompanimentofa gentle,lightjazzbandprovidedbythelocallybasedStardustSussexJazzband.Forthosewhowishedthere followedaconductedtourofthegardensbyheadgardener,MartinDuncan.Participantswerevery

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Allphotography©AndrewMardell Armphotography

complimentaryabouthowinformativeandinterestingitwas.“Suchaknowledgeablespecialist”, “suchcreativeimagination”,“Ilearnedsomuch”,“Howgoodofhimtogiveuphistimeforus”were justsomeofthemanycomplimentsaboutthetourandhowmuchitwasappreciated. Thisyear’seventmorethanmadeupforthetwo-yeargap.Itwaswonderful.Itishopedthat,by holdingeventsliketheseotherswillbeencouragedtojoinTheFriendstohelpsupportthe

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maintenanceofthepricelessheritageofourCathedral,andtojointhecelebrationsnextyearin 2023,ofthe150thanniversaryofitsconsecration. Moreinformationfrom: www.arundelcathedralfriends.uk tel01903884567

Inthesummerof2019afterMassatSt John’sinHorsham,CanonTimaskedmeifI wouldjoin‘TheFriendsofArundel Cathedral’.Iwasaskedagainthatsummer bytwomembersofTheFriendsandfinally, inOctober2019beforethediocesan PatronalMassforStPhilipHoward,Bishop RichardalsoaskedmetobecomeaTrustee ofTheFriendsofArundelCathedral.Iwas

ArundelCathedral OutreachandEducation Project

veryhonouredtobeaskedandsubsequentlywasvoted ontothecommitteeattheA.G.M.

AtmyfirstmeetingofTheFriends,Ibroughtseveral suggestionsfordiscussionandtheoneclosesttomyheart isthatofeducationandoutreachtoourCatholicSchools havingspentthirtyyearsinCatholicEducationteaching R.E.Iwasalsomindfultostrengthenlocalcommunity relationshipsandprovidesomethingforthechildrenof touristsandvisitorstoourbeautifulMotherChurch.Our AnglicanFriendsacrossthecountryhavebeenrunning allkindsofprogrammeswithschoolsandthewider communityformanyyearsandIfeltthatwewere missingavitalelementinbringingasimilarkindof cathedralengagementtoouryoungpeopleaspartofour CatholicMission.Thankfully,weareofcourseblessed withtheannualDiocesanprimaryandsecondaryschools’ celebrationsoftheEucharist,alongsidethewalkleadby BishopRichardandawell-deservedpicnicafterwards.I alsobelievethatitaddsanotherlayertotheexcellent Catholiceducationprovisionthechildrenalreadyreceive inourCatholicschoolsacrossthediocese.

PhilosophyandAims

Buildingonawell-establishedprogrammeofthe

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Church’syear,alongsideconcerts,tours,visits, talksandfundraising,‘TheFriendsofArundel Cathedral,’inthefirstinstance,wereseekingto developandincreaseopportunities,specifically foryoungpeoplewhoareinformalprimary and/orsecondaryeducationandinthewider localcommunity,tovisit,exploreand experiencethebeauty,historyandheritageof ArundelCathedral.Throughadiverseand relevantrangeoflearningactivitiesand engagementopportunitieswearestrivingto enablechildrenofprimaryageandabove,with theirteachersandparents,tohaveaccessto learningbyexploringtheCathedralandits

precinctsregardlessofphysical,cultural, financial,orintellectualboundaries.We aimtohighlightitssignificanceforthe localandwidercommunityfromthetime thecathedralwasbuilt,opened,and dedicatedin1873.Indeed,nextJuly2023 willbethe150thanniversaryofthe openingandconsecrationoftheCathedral.

ProcessandPlanning

IknewthatChichesterCathedralhada verywellestablishedandsuccessful EducationDepartmentwithabroadreach acrossSussexandbeyond,soIaskedto visittheirEducationOfficerinFebruary

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2020tofindouthowtheymanagedtoachieveit.Myvisitwasveryfruitful;so,Iwasverymuchlooking forwardtoplanningandorganisingthistentativepilot‘OutreachandCathedralExplorationProject’for andwithTheFriendsofArundelCathedralandIbetyouknowwherethisisheading!

TheGlobalPandemicstruck,andtheworldwentinto‘lockdown’inMarch2020.Itisafactthatsince March2020,duetotheglobalCovid Pandemic,untilveryrecently,noyoung personineducationhadtheopportunityto takepartintrips,visits,orexperience residentialsinanypartoftheBritishIsles. Thislackoffreedomtoexplore,playand mixsociallyhashadadetrimentalimpact onthephysicalandmentalhealthandwellbeingofhundredsofthousandsofchildren andyoungpeople:recentNHSresearch hasshownthatagreatmanyyoungpeople aresufferingfromanxietyandfeeling lonelyduetothosetwoyearsofsocial isolation.

TheFriendsofArundelCathedralbelieved thatweneededtoseizethisopportunityto fosterthisnewinitiativeinaplaceofawe, wonderandbeautysothatyoungpeople canemergefromaCovidenvironmentto re-engage,develop,anddeepentheir individualresponsestotheirexperiencein

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asacredandpeacefulspace.

Formanyyoungpeopleinourlocalitythis willbethelargestbuildingtheymayhave entered,andthishassuchadeepand lastingimpactontheemotionaland psychologicalwell-beingofthosewhocross thethresholdofthecathedraldoorsand stepintotheserenityandbeautyofthis historicbuildingwhichisatthecentreof Arundel.Wewanttodeepentheknowledge andunderstandingofthosewhovisitthe cathedralandbroadentheirhorizons.We wantthechildrentobenefitandincrease theircuriosity,enjoyment,knowledge, understandingandinterestsothatthey leavewithasenseofpurposeandmeaning oftheirplaceinthewiderlocality.Weseek tobringyoungpeopletogethertoengender anappreciationoftheimportanceofthe culturalheritageandlinkbetweenthe cathedralandthepeoplewithinthelocal community.Formanyyoungpeople,the realisationofbelongingtoanhistoricand faithcommunityfollowingalmosttwoyears ofaglobalpandemicwillprovidehopefor thefuture;stimulatetheirimagination,

investigation,andreleasecreativity.

Ibelievethatthereareseveralareasofinterestwithin thespirituallifeandjourneyofthechildrenandof coursevisitors.Wewouldliketheemphasisofthis outreachtofocusonthemanyaspectsofhowthe cathedralfunctionsandhowitimpactsontheparish, thelocalcommunity,andthediocese. Thecurrentprogrammeprovidesclassgroupswitha

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CathedralExplorersQuizTrailsothattheycanwonderfreelytofindmanyareasofreligious,spiritual, artistic,andhistoricsignificancebuttheyarealsolearningabouttheCatholicFaith.Onapersonalnote,we alsobroughtourthirtysevenConfirmandifromStJohn’sParishinHorshamtocompletethemore challengingversionofthetraillastJuneandweweredelightedtohavethecompanyofBishopRichard

duringourentirevisit. TheFriendsarehopingthateventually, theremightbeworkshop-basedactivities andvisitsbasedontheheritageand historyoftheCathedralandthelinkswith DukesofNorfolk,pastandpresent. Pilgrimageisamajorthemewhich includeswalkstoimprovewell-beingand fitnessnowthatwehaveemergedfrom theCovidPandemic,anditisalsothe HolyYearoftheCaminotoSantiago (untiltheendof2022).Otherthemes suitedtoourschoolsandvisitorsmay includeSaints(StPhilipHoward,St PhilipNeri,OurLadyandStJoseph) faith,music,architectureanddesign,arts, stainedglassandcreativity,iconmaking andotherrelevantactivities.Itmightbe thatthechildrencanvisittoexperience someoftheseareasandthenreturnto schooltoorganiseprojectswithineachof

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theirprimaries.Sofar,wehavewelcomed fivegroupsofprimarychildrenformour twolocaldeaneriesandsixtyYear6 childrenfromStPhilipHowardPrimary inHatfield,Hertfordshire.Ithasbeen andstillisajoytoworkwithandforthe youngpeopleofourdiocese. Inconclusion,TheFriendsofArundel Cathedralhavenowbegunthisventure andwebelieveitisagreatopportunityto fosterthisnewinitiativeinaplaceofawe, wonderandbeautysothatouryoung peoplecanemergefromaCovid environmenttore-engage,develop,and deepentheirindividualresponsestotheir experienceofthesacredinourbeautiful andprayerfulcathedral.Ihopeandpray thatyouwillfindthisaworthyventure. November2022

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NovemberisthemonthoftheHoly Soulsand,forthepeopleofthisLand, itistheMonthofRemembranceforall whohavediedinconflict,withits focuson11thNovemberandon RemembranceSunday. Whyisprayerforthedeadan importantpartofourChristianand Catholiclife?WereadintheBookof Maccabees,howJudasMaccabeussent anofferingtoJerusalemforasacrifice tobeofferedforthosewhohaddiedin battle.Thetextremindsusthatthis wouldhavebeenapointlessact,had henothadhopeintheResurrection (1). TheChristianismarkedbyHope. Hopeisnotsomethingwecancreate forourselves.Itisagiftanditflows fromtheResurrectionofChrist Himself,forinChristliesallourhope. Itisthishopethatpromptsour prayersinthismonthofNovember.

HolySouls November2022

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Weexercisethisvirtueofhopeinaparticularway,forwerelyontheLord’smercytoforgiveallthat wouldkeepthosewhohavediedfromtheKingdomofHeaven.Thishopeisonlypossiblebecause Jesushasdiedandrisenfromthedead.Hehasconqueredsinanddeath.Hehaswonlifeforus. IreflectedataMassrecentlyonthethemeofPurgatory.Someonecameuptomeafterwardsandsaid thattheyhadnotheardmuchaboutPurgatoryrecently.YetPurgatoryisamostwonderfulexpression ofHope.

TheexperienceofourrecognitionofourdistancefromGod–broughtaboutthroughoursins–is surelyapainfulthing.Weseeourselvesasweareandthisisnotalwaysaprettypicture.

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Yetthisveryexperienceofthetruthofthingsalsoenablesustorecognisethewonderofthelove ofGod.Ourpain,inwhateverdegreeitisexperienced,giveswaytotheexperienceofforgiveness –theloveofGodthatovercomesallthings. St.JohnHenryNewman,inhispoem“TheDreamofGerontius”(2)describesGerontius’ experienceofjudgement.HeleavesthethroneofGodfortheexperienceofPurgatory,rejoicing thathewillknowtheKingdomofHeaven.Itisatthismomentofjudgementthat,inhisPoem,

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Newmanwritesthe wordsofthegreat hymn“Praisetothe Holiest.”Theangel proclaims:“Praiseto HisName!Ihappy, sufferingsoul!foritis safe,consumed,yet quickenedbytheglance ofGod.Alleluia!Praise toHisName!” Gerontius’responseis oneofHopeandLove: “TherewillIsingmy absentLordandLove. Takemeaway,that soonerImayriseand goabove,andseeHiminthetruthofeverlastingday.” ThispoeticexpressionisoneofHopeandLove.Thisiswhyweprayfor thosewhohavedied,thattheymayknowitisfullnesstheHopeandLove thatisthedestinyofthosewhomGod–inlove–hascreated.

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FOOTNOTES: 1.2Macc.12:43-45 2.NEWMAN,St.JohnHenry,TheDreamofGerontius,1985.

AllIReallyNeedTo Know

AllIReallyNeedToKnow–Abouthowtoliveandwhattodoandhowtobe,Ilearnedin Kindergarten.Wisdomwasnotatthetopofthegraduate-schoolmountain,butthereinthe sandpitatInfantSchool,thesearethethingsIlearned.

Extractfrom“AllIReallyNeedtoKnowIlearnedinKindergarten” byRobertFulghum

Shareeverything

Playfair. Don’thitpeople. Putthingsbackwhereyoufoundthem. Cleanupyourownmess. Don’ttakethingsthataren’tyours. Sayyou’resorrywhenyouhurtsomebody. Washyourhandsbeforeyoueat. Flush. Warmbiscuitsandcoldmilkaregoodforyou. Liveabalancedlife–learnsomeandthinksomeanddrawandpaintandsinganddanceandplay andworkeverydaysome. Takeanapeveryafternoon. Whenyougooutintotheworld,watchoutfortraffic,holdhandsandsticktogether. Beawareofwonder.Rememberthelittleseedintheplasticcup.Therootsgodownandtheplant goesupandnobodyreallyknowshoworwhy,butwearealllikethat.

Goldfishandhamstersandwhitemiceandeventhelittleseedintheplasticcup–theyalldie.Sodo we.

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Thinkwhatabetterworlditwouldbeifweall–thewholeworld–hadbiscuitsandmilkatabout threeo’clockeveryafternoonandthenlaydownwithourblanketsforanap.

Orifallgovernmentshadasabasicpolicytoalwaysputthingsbackwheretheyfoundthemandto cleanuptheirownmess.

Anditisstilltrue,nomatterhowoldyouare–whenyougooutintotheworld,itisbesttohold handsandsticktogether.

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WhatinLifeWereWings

Basedonthetruestoryofonegirl’sforceddeportationtotheSiberianGulag

Thestoryofthewartimeexperienceofmymother

Ifwelookathistory,wemightsometimes wonderwhyitispossiblefornations,peoples andcommunitiestoberepeatedlysubjugated byothers;whyrulersanddictatorsoften succeedintheirattemptstocontrolor eradicatevastnumbersofinnocentpeople; whythedifferencesbetweenuscanbesucha divisiveforce,insteadofacausefor celebration;why,forsome,thedrivefor territorialgainandfortheassertionofpower aregoalswhichseemtooverrideeverything else,everythinggood.

Asaresultofthis,manyperish.Oftenonlya minoritysurvivetheirimposedordeals. WhatinLifeWereWings isthestoryof onesuchtime.Isitpossiblethatwhatseems liketheanswertotheirprayersandtheirfaith inGod,couldsavethem?

herchildhoodbeforethewar.Itisherlegacy.It isatributetoherfirstandforemost.Italsoaims tomakethisstory,almostunknownoutside EasternEurope,accessibletoawiderpublicand futuregenerationsacrosstheEnglish-speaking world.

Itisthestoryinspiredbymymother’s recollectionsofherwartimeexperienceandof

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Backcoverofbook

BeforePutin’sinvasionof UkraineinFebruary2022,this bookwasreadyforpublication. Sadly,sincethenwehaveseen thathistorydoesindeedrepeat itself.Thereareparallels betweeneventsthathappened inPolandduringandafter WorldWarIIandtheevents, overeightyyearslater,in Ukrainein2022.In1939, approximatelyhalfofPoland, consistingoftheentireareaof easternPolandfromnorthto south,wasoccupiedbyRussia; thewesternhalfbyGermany. Morethanamillionandahalf peoplewereforciblydeported fromtheeasternsidetothe USSR.

Mymother’sdeportationtook placefromherhomenear LwówinPoland,whatisnow LvivinWesternUkraine,tothe SiberianGulag.

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isareminderofhowquicklyandbrutallyourfreedomscanbetakenaway, buthowthecourageandfaithofeachoneofusmayhavethepowertoovercomemisfortune.
www.whatinlifewerewings.com
WhatinLifeWereWings
Publicationdate28thNovember2022

TheFriendsOfArundel Cathedral-Annual Pilgrimage

September2022

WestSussexisabeautifulCounty,steepedinhistorywithmanyancientandmedievalbuildings,and localmuseumsfullofexcavatedpreciousartefacts.PeoplelivinginArundelareproudofthe glorious,butnotsoancient(1873),CatholicCathedral,whichdominatestheskyline;whilethetruly ancientchurchofStNicholas,(1380)isnotonlyarchitecturallyinteresting,butitshistoryand relationshipswiththeCastle,Catholicism,andtheNorfolkfamilyarefascinating.Bothattract historians,academics,andpilgrimsfromacrosstheworld.

Farlesswellknownaretwobeautifulhistoric churchesinWestGrinstead:TheCatholic ChurchofourLadyofConsolation&St Francis,andtheAnglicanParishChurchofSt George.Ofalltheancientsitesofhistorical interestintheCountythesemustsurelybethe twomostbeautifulandinteresting.Ona glorious,sunnyautumndayinSeptembera pilgrimageorganisedbyTheFriendsof

ArundelCathedralmadetheirannualpilgrimagetothesegemsofChristianityhiddenawayinthe countryside,immaculatelypreservedandlovinglymaintainedbysmallbutdevotedcommunities.Theywere welcomedmostwarmlybyparishionerswhoprovidedawelcomingdrinkandsmile.

EvenwiththemostlimitedknowledgeofChristianitymostBritishpeoplewillbeawarethatfromthe7th Centuryuntilthe1500s

EnglandwasaCatholiccountry.TheinfamousconsequencesofHenryVIII’swishforadivorceandthe subsequentbreakfromRomearefamiliar.Churcheswereplundered,morethan800monasteriesdestroyed,

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clergywerekilled,andthecelebrationofMass madeillegal.Catholicismwastotally proscribed,anybreachesincurringviolent punishment.Thehomesofthosewhosought toprotectpriestsweredestroyed.Random raidingpartieswereruthless–andcunning. Staveswereusedtomeasurewallsinsideand outtoidentify discrepancies-secretroomspossiblybeing usedaschapelsforthecelebrationofMass, andyetinspiteofallthistherewere-mainly wealthy-landowningfamilieswhocontinued

toprotectandsupportpriestsbyproviding secretchapelsandpriestholes. Itcouldbethestuffoffiction,andindeed thereareinnumerablesuchworks,butthis wasreal.Oneofonlyaveryfewsitesin Britainremainingundetected.Thepilgrims heardhowthetimingandlocationofthe proscribedcelebrationofmasswas communicatedbylocalCatholicwomen puttingouttheirwashinginsecretcoded patterns.Theyalsosawforthemselvesthe miniscule‘priestholes’inwhichtheclergy

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wouldhidefromraidingpartiesandthehiddenchapelattheendofahayloft!Accessingbothwasquite challengeforsomeofthepilgrims.Itwasclearthat500yearsagotheFaithfulhadtobefitandnimbleto climbnarrowperpendicularstonesteps!Norcouldthepriestsaffordtosufferfromclaustrophobia.The ‘holes’trulyweretiny.

Bringingthisdarkhistorytolife throughsuchvividillustrations pilgrimageco-ordinaterGeoffrey Callister,guidedpilgrims knowledgeablythroughanillustrated historyofthosedarkdaysof Catholicpersecution.Thegruesome fatesofthosepriestscontinuing secretlytopracticethecelebrationof theMassweretestimonytoapowerful Faith,aswastheFaithoffamilieswho riskedbeingdiscoveredtobe harbouringoffenders.Familiessuchas theCarylls,whowerestrippedoftheir home,theirwealthandtheirlandbut notbefore,over200years,having providedsanctuaryforpriestsand providedtheirhayloftforthe celebrationofMass.Thenarrativeis compelling.

Duringapicniclunchinthepeaceand sunshineofthegardenattheShrine, thepilgrimswereabletoreflectand

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sharethoughtsaboutalltheyhadheardandseenthatmorning.Thoughtsparticularlyaboutthe braveryandfaithoftheirpredecessors.Soberingindeed.

AfterlunchthepilgrimswalkedtheshortdistancetoStGeorge’s–theAnglicanParishChurch.They walkedacrossthelandoriginallyownedandfarmedbytheCaryllfamily.Fieldsofgrassandcultivated crops,andlovelyviewsofthecountrysidebut,underfoot,bricksandlargepiecesofmortar–clunky remindersofallthatremainedoftheCaryll’sfamilyhomeandfarmbuildingsdestroyedduringthe persecutions.

Seeminglyinthemiddleofnowhere,andinaverydifferentway,StGeorge’sisalsorichinhistorical artefactsandprovidesafascinating800-year-oldsocialhistoryofitscommunity.An abundanceofnamedfamilypews,stonetombs,sculptures,anddocumentscarefully preserved,areatreasuretroveofhowcommunitieslivedthroughtheages.Therecertainly wasn’tsufficienttimetoabsorbitall.Butappetiteswhetteditcertainlywillnotbelong beforeanothertripisplanned.

Forfurtherinformationvisitwww.arundelcathedralfriends.uk;ortelephone01903884567

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Introduction

ParishPeople-Colin Swanton

ColinSwantonhasbeenwritingaboutourparishcommunitysincethepublicationofthePentecost2007 issueoftheParishProclaimer,whichwasthenundertheeditorshipofJennyEdmonds.Colinstartedhis articlesinitiallycalled‘Colin’sColumn’inthemagazineandthenthetitlechangedto‘ParishPeople’inthe Pentecost2009issue,writingaboutJimandMargaretMyerscough.

Jennyhaddecidedtostepdownfromherroleaseditor.IcameforwardtohelpCanonTimMadeleyashe neededassistancetoproducethePentecost2009issueinitscurrentform.Iwasintroducedtothesmall groupofparishionersinvolvedinthemagazineandthat’swhenIgottoknowColinandbecamethenext

editoroftheParishProclaimermagazine. OnoneoccasionIaskedColinifanyoneelsehadwritten afeatureabouthim.Theanswerwas‘no’soI interviewedColinatCathedralHouseandsenttheresult tohimthefollowingday.Heapprovedthearticle,andit appearedintheautumn2013edition,whichisshown opposite.

SadlyinApril2019Colinhadamini-strokebehindone eye.Withhisothereyehavingaweaksight,Colin’s visionwasnowseriouslybad.WhenIhadacallfroma parishioneraboutthisIcontactedColinandduringour conversationhetoldmethathewouldbeunableto carryonwith‘ParishPeople’anymore.Hehas interviewedandwrittenfeatureson54parishioners. ColinSwantondiedon21stJuly2022. ItwashightimethatwefeaturedColinSwantoninour

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‘ParishPeople’series,havingwritten31 articlesfortheParishProclaimermagazine sincethePentecost2007issue.Thiswritten pieceistheresultofanenjoyableandfriendly chatoneafternooninearlyJune2013in CathedralHouse.

ColinwasborninMitchamandlater–his parentsandsiblings–movedtosettlefirstin HambledonandthentoChiddingfold,Surrey. TheyattendedservicesataBaptistchapel whereColinattendedSundayschoolandthe ‘grounding’ofhisfaithstarted.“Theseweremy

formativeyears,”Colinexplained,“andwhenI servedmyNationalServiceinBritish Honduras(nowknownasBelize)Iconverted totheCatholicfaith.”

ColinwasaPayCorporal,co-ordinatingthe salariesofthe150soldiersinthecamp.He alsohadtheresponsibilityofcollectingthe Jesuitpriestforservicesatthecampand throughmanyconversationsen-routeColin wasdrawntotheCatholicfaith.“MyfirstHoly CommunionwasatMidnightMassinChristmas1960andduringEasterthefollowingyear

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wasconfirmed,bothcelebrationstakingplaceinBelizeCathedral,runbyJesuitpriestsfromAmerica.”

Twoyearslater,havingcompletedhisNationalServiceinAugust1961,Colinmarriedhissweetheart,Jean PatriciaGilbert(whoisusuallyknownasPat)withFatherCharlesBorellitakingtheserviceatStTeresaof AvilaChurchinChiddingfold.Itwasthoughtthattheirmarriagewastheveryfirstforthechurch.Their honeymoonwasspentatMermaidHotelinRye, EastSussex.Asthefollowingyearsrolledby,they hadthreechildrenborntothem–Catherine, PhillipaandSam–anddecidedtoadoptfourmore children–Stephen,Michael,ZelieandBen–all mixedrace–“aswehadplentyofroominour heartsandourhouseformore!Weweresohappy thatouradoptedchildrenfittedsowellwithour own,sowehavehappymemoriesofallseven growinguptogether,goingawayonholidaysandthe like!”

ForseveralyearsPatwaseditorof‘AdoptionToday’, themagazineforanadoptionsupportorganisation (thenPPIAS)calledAdoptionUK,havingpreviously workedforthementalhealthcharityMIND.Shewas alsoapart-timeadulteducationtutorandworkedin avoluntarycapacityasaliteracytutorinpost adoptionsupportworkandasamemberofadoption panels.SheandColinwerebothmembersofARC, thefundraisingorganisationforresearchinto rheumatismandarthritis. Colin’sworkwasverymuchintheplasticsindustry,

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involvedinsales,andasIwaswritingawayduringmyinterviewwithhimforthis article,hewasalreadymakingcommentstomeafterreadingmynoteswhilstsitting oppositeme.AsIremarkedonColin’sspeedreadingwhilesittingoppositeme,hesaid, “Ifirstlearnedmy‘upsidedown’readingveryquicklywhenIwasasalesmanhavingto runthroughthequotationsforclients.ItwasessentialsothatIcouldgettheir signatureatthebottomofthatform–atrickofthetrade!”

MuchofColin’sworkinglifewasspentattheEnglishsubsidiaryofaFrenchmachinery companycalledBillionSA.Therewasalotofcommutingbetweenthefamilyhomein WestYorkshireandtheUKsubsidiaryinMiltonKeyesandalsowhenhebecame ManagingDirectorin1995,tripstotheHQbasedinOyonnax,Franceclosetothe Swissborder.

RetiringinJune2001,itwasnotlongbeforeColinandPathadtheurgetomoveback toSurreyandSussex.TheysettleddowninanoldcottageinWalbertoninJune2005 withtheintentionofbeinglessbusy,aslowerpaceoflifewithpeaceandquiet.In realitythisdidnothappen!

Colinhadspent37yearsinOtleyandthevoluntaryworkheundertookshowedthe strongdedicationhehadtomakingadifferencetotheparish.Hewaschairofthe GovernorsatStJoseph’sPrimarySchoolforsevenyearsandchairoftheParish PastoralCouncilforanothersevenyears,albeitatadifferenttime.Colinwasa EucharisticMinisterforanumberofyears,aswellasbeingasacristanandawelcomer. Youcanaddtothisthenumerous‘ParishPeople’articlesfor‘WarfeTales’,aparish magazineforOurLadyandAllSaintsCatholicChurch,solifeforColinwascertainly fullduringhisYorkshiriantimesofhislife,loyallyandunequivocallysupportedbyPat andhisextendedfamily.

SoitjusthadtofollowthatafterthemovetoWalberton,Colincommencedhissupport toArundelCathedralbybecomingserverandasacristanin2005.Hethenjoinedthe

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ParishCommunicationsTeamandbeganwriting‘ParishPeople’fortheParishProclaimer.Sincethen ColinhastirelesslywrittenmanyarticlesfortheCathedral’sparishmagazine,andhekeepsgoing!!

Asifthiswasnotenough,Colinalso‘throwshimself’intoanotherpassion,namelyphotography.Although thishashadtotakeabackwardstepsinceretiringforanumberofreasons,hestillgetsenormouspleasure incapturingthebeautyoflandscapesaswellasthesplendourofcastles,cathedralsandchurches.Animals andflowerstudieswerealsootherthemes.

“Ifeelblessedwithsteadyhands,”saysColin,yetanotherskilltoaddtohisupside-downreadingability!!

ColinwentonaCharlieWaite(currentlyoneoftheworld’sleadinglandscapephotographers)photographic course,toimprovehisknowledgeandskills.HisfirstassignmentwithCharliewastotheLakeDistrict wheretheysatforthreehourstakingthesamephotographevery15minutestocomparethedifferencelight makestoaphotographovertime.

Colinalsomanagedtosqueezemoretimeoutofhisdaysbygardening–hisownandalsoenjoyingthe splendourofthoseoftheNationalTrust.InadditionheservesatSlindononaSundaymorningaswellasat SaturdayVigilMassatthePoorClaresConvent. ColinandPatdecidedtocelebratetheirgoldenweddinganniversaryoneyearearlyattheMermaidHotelin RyeinSeptember2012–wheretheyhoneymoonedaswellascelebratedtheirsilverandrubywedding anniversaries.Loveandromancecertainlyremainsasstrongnowasitwasbackwhentheyfirstmetin 1961.WithsomuchgoingoninColin’slife–with11grandchildrenand5great-grandchildren–thereis neveradullmomentintheSwantonfamily!

TofinishwithColin’sownwords:“Ijustcan’tresistdoingsomuchinmylife.Mecompulsive…?WellI’m afraidso!”

FromColin’sdaughter,Phillipa:“Colindiedpeacefullyon21stJuly2022andheisnowreunitedwithhis belovedPat.Hewillbemissedbyhischildren,grandchildrenandgreat-grandchildren,brothersandsister, carers,petsandeveryonewhoknewhim”.

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Aletterfromhisdaughterandreadbyhisgranddaughteratthe funeral HiPops,it’sme!

WhenyougotyourdiagnosisIpromisedyouthatIcouldbewith youeverystepoftheway.Itoldyouthatyoumightforgetme butthatIwouldneverforgetyou.Yourespondedinstantly“I’ll neverforgetyou!”Andyouwereright.Youknewusallupto yourlastbreath.

Aspecialisttoldmethatyoursightlossconformedtonoknown pattern.Nothingelseaboutyoudideither.Dementiamighthave damagedyourmindandtakenyourwordsawaybutitmagnified yourheartandyoursoul.Itremovedyourinhibitionsandwe laughedwithyoumorethaneverbefore.Youmadeuslaugh Dad.Alot.Iwillneverforgetyoutellingusyouwere“snugger thanabuggerinarugger”.Orthegrinonyourfacewhenwe talkedaboutwhatyougotuptointhearmy.Oryouconducting ‘LilythePink’orhummingalongtotheDambusterstune.Or singing‘I’mtiredandIwanttogotobed’.AllthewayfromWest SussextoYorkshire.Forapproximatelyfiveandahalfhours.Or whenyouaskedtheladyinthecaféwhetheryourwalkingstick wasanumbrellaoraflamingo.(Aflamingoapparently).Sovery manyhappymemories.

“Howdidyouknowwheretofindme?”youusedtosaywhenI arrivedatyournursinghomeorahospitalward.ItoldyouI alwaysknewwhereyouwereandthatyoujusthadtowaitfor meandIwouldcome.

Andyoudidwaitformethatmorning.Themorningyoutook thefinalsteponthislegofyourjourneyandItoldyouMumhad gotabottleofroseinthefridgeforyouboth.Youneverthought thattenpastelevenwastooearlytoopenabottle.

Thankyouforbeingyou.Thankyoufor beingsospecialtosomanypeople. Philxxx “Therearesomethingsthatdementia cannotalter.Ourloveforyouwillnever falter.”

PhotoscourtesyoftheSwantonFamily.

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AVentureofExcitementto theFleche(Spire)viathe RoofSpace..

..withinSt.PhilipNeriChurch-NowArundelCathedral

OneoftheresidentpriestsatStPhilipNeriChurch(NowArundelCathedral)duringmyearlyyearswas FatherFrederickRedding.(ParishPriest1947–1953).Aniceeasygoingmanwhohadspirit,wasgreatfun andwasalwayspreparedtohelpandassisttheCatholicyouthofthetown.Thisperiodofhisassignmentwas ofcourseimmediately,orrathersoon,aftertheendingoftheSecondWorldWar.(1939/1945).

Oneparticulardayduringhistenurehavingjustfinishedattendingaserviceinthechurch,myselfanda coupleoffriendswerestandingchattingoutsidethepresbyteryandforsomereasonlookinguptowardsthe roofandintheapproximatedirectionoftheFLECHE..Theflèchebeingthesmall“spire”situatedonthe easternendofthechurchroof..However,Icannotremembertheexactreasonastowhywewerelookingup, butthatinitselfistobecomethestartingpointofthisparticulartruestory.

ThiscoincidedwithFatherReddingapproachingfromthepresbyteryandstoppingtoalsolookupwardswith us-heenquired“Whatareyoulookingatboys?Areyoubychancelookingatthespire?”(Spirewastheword FatherReddingusedatthetimeratherthanflèche),towhichwereplied“No,notespeciallyFather”.From wherewewerestandingitwasmoreorlessimpossibletoseeastowherethespirewasactuallysituated.He thenstartedtowalkawaywithoutreplyingtoouranswerwhenheturnedandcontinued“Boys…Ihavean idea….Wouldyoureallyliketoactuallygoupandvisitthe”spire”?…….becauseifyoudoIwillseewhatIcan do”.

Welookedateachotherhesitantlyforafewmomentsandthenalmostinunisonagreedbecauseafterallit soundedlikeafunbutscaryidea….

FatherReddingthendeparted.,Wechattedonamongstourselvesandstarteddiscussinghowwoulditevenbe possibletoreachthe(spire)flèche..Itwasvery,veryhighperchedasitwasontheverytopofthishuge magnificentbuilding..Welookedupagainintheapproximatedirectionofthespire,whichagainfromwhere

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wewereactuallystandingat groundlevel,wedidnothave aclearviewofitslocation. Suddenlywewerebecoming alittle“scaredoruneasy maybe”tosaytheleast……I thinktheheightofthis potentialescapadealoneto whichwewouldhaveto somehowtraversewas beginningtosinkin. AtthetimeIthink,ifmy memoryservesmewell,we eachthoughtnothingwould transpireanywayinthat permissionwouldprobably neverbegiven. ..Itwasthentimeforusto departforourindividual homes. However,Itwouldnotbetoo longbeforewegotthe answerstoanyquestionswe mayhavehadasafewdays laterFatherReddingcalledus togetheragainandinformed ustheventurewasabletogo ahead……(BUT)wemustnot underANYcircumstances publicisethisfact...Thisalso meantthatwecouldnottell anyofourotherfriendsor family.

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AsfarasIamaware,wewereabletokeepthissubjectveryquietby maintainingourpromiseoutofgreatrespecttoFatherRedding…. Whowouldhavebelievedusatthetimeanyway??? SONOBACKINGOUTNOW.!!!!!!!!!!! Iamstillnotsuretothisdayastowhether“Official”agreementwasever givenforhimtoundertakethisunusualventurewithusboys..,butofcourse
IsincerelyhopeandtrustthatFatherReddingdidnotgetintoanyformof trouble.ThishadnowbecometheACTUALdaythatwewouldattemptthis

rather.,atthetime,excitingbutsomewhatscaryventure.Itgoeswithoutsayingthatwe werenowbecomingslightlynervous.InfactVERYVERYnervous……….Petrified???????????

FatherReddingcontinuedbystronglyemphasisingthatduringthisentireventureitwas imperativethatwemust,atalltimes,keepveryclosetogether,holdingonverytighttoeach otherandobeyhisinstructionswithoutquestion….Ofcoursewerespondedwithanervous butdefinite“YesFather,wemostcertainlywill”. Hethenwentontofurtherexplainandemphasisethatwewouldbegoingintoaverydark andsomewhatpotentiallydangerousareaofthechurchandthatitwouldbeinmoreorless completeornearcompletedarknessattimes.Hecouldnothavestressedtheimportanceof oursafetymoreclearly.

Wehadbynowbecomealittlemoreexcitedbutstillverynervouswithregardtothisventure andasIrecallstillalittlescaredbutwefollowedhimratherwarilytotheentrancedoortothe choirloft(ororgangallery)onthegroundfloor.Thenuptothechoirloftandthrough anotherolddoorwhichcreakedasheturnedthekeyandwitheffortslowlypusheditopen.At thisjuncturemymemoryisnotclear.CouldthishavebeentheentranceintotheNorthtower (orclocktower)?HoweverIdorememberthatwehadtothennegotiateanopenareaby meansofanumberofstepsupwardstowardthebeautifulRoseWindow.(Thisopenareais abletobeseenbetweentheNWtowerandTheRosewindowviewedfromKingStreet.

Nowwewereabletoentertheroofareathroughanotherdoorandimmediatelyencountereda verylargevoidwhichwasalmostincompletedarknessasFatherReddinghadpreviously warned,saveforaveryminimalamountofdaylightseeminglycomingfromthefarend.We thenhadtobrushawayavastamountofcobwebsbeforecontinuingon.

FatherReddingeventuallyfoundanoldelectriclightswitchandalthoughthisadditionallight wasverypoor(asinglebulb),wecouldseethethetopofthechurchinnerceilingandthe undersideoftheactualroofitself.Itwasmassive.Butitwasvery,verydarkupthere.Asthe ceilingofthechurchrisestoapointatthecentrealongitsfulllength,totraversethefull lengthtowardsthelocationoftheflèchelookedadauntingtask.Thiscentralpointofthe inner

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ceilingonwhichwewerelocatedwas(againfrommemory)onlyabouteighteenincheswideandthenslopes steeplyawayeachsideindarkness,towhereitmeetseachofthemainsupportingpillars.Wewereactually kneelingonthiscentralpointwhatappearedinthedarknesstoberunningthewholelengthoftheceiling eastwardstowardsthemainaltar.Wewerechattingverynervouslytoeachother,andFatherReddingcontinued topacifyournervousness.

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Continuinghisinstructionsheinformedusthathewouldgofirstandweweretofollowveryslowlyand carefullybehindhimandtoholdonastightaswecouldtoeachother.Weboysthenkneltbehindeach otherinlinewiththeboyinfrontholdingontoFatherRedding.Fortunately,FatherReddinghadbrought asmalltorchwithhimwhichlitthewayimmediatelyinfrontofhimasweveryslowlycrawledalongthis narrowridge.Historch,attimes,alsoshowedupthevastdropateachsideofusintothedarknessbelow andwouldcertainlyendinaseriousproblemshouldanyofusbeunluckyenoughtosliporfall.Alotof nervoustalkcontinuedbetweenusallasyoucanimagineaswethenprogressedalong.

Eventuallywereachedthelargeround(circular)openingwithintheceilingstructureoverlookingthe centralaisle(crossover)ofthechurchwhichwastosaytheleastquitedifficulttomanoeuvrearound.

However,weeachmanagedaveryquickandextremelynervousglancedownthroughthisopeningand carefullynegotiatedarounditandonwardstowardsthebaseoftheflèche.Imustsayatthisstagemyheart wasbeatingveryfast.Iamsureitwasthesamefortheotherboys-nervous?....YES,(very)…..Scared.?Of course.Mostdefinitely. Venturingonaveryshortdistancewehadatlastreachedtheflèchelocation.Herethereweremaybe4or5 oldlittlewoodenstepsleadingupwardstowithintheflècheitself.FatherReddingmadethefirstascent. Therewasonlyroomforoneboyatatimetoaccompanyhimduetotheverylimitedamountofspace.We thereforetookitinturnswitheachboyspendingaboutfiveminuteseachsurveyingthemostmagnificent viewofthewholeofArundelandsurroundingareasthroughthethenopeningswithintheflèchestructure. Whatamostmagnificentviewofmywonderfulbirthtown.

Thereispossiblynoothercomparablevantagepoint(ApartfrommaybeTHEKEEP.inArundelCastle) wherethiscanbeachieved.Ofcourse,theoriginalflècheisnolongerinexistenceasitwasreplaceda numberofyearsagowith,Ibelieve,atotallyenclosedmetalandglassfibrecladsimilarity.

Thenitwasthentimetomakethereturnandsomewhatperilousjourneybackacrosstheroofspace.This done,againextremelyslowly,carefullyandwithgreatnervousnessweweresoonbacksafelydownandinto thechurchyard.

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Nervouslaughterandchatter betweenusallwasforthcomingas westartedtoreminisce.Weduly thankedFatherReddingforallhis effortsandthethrillofthevisit andawaywewenthappily relivingthememory. Mymotherwasdulyshocked whenIpluckedupenough couragetoinformhersomewhat lateroftheescapadeandittook agesforhertoactuallybelieveme thatitwaseventrue.However,I knowITWASsubsequently confirmedtomymotherand hopefullylikewisetomyfriends parents,atalaterdatebyFather Reddinghimselfwithanapology foranyanxietyitmayhave unintentionallycaused…….Itwas tomyknowledgeneverspokenof again,possiblyoutofrespectfor FatherReddingandalsoin deferenceofthechurchauthority atthetime. Inconclusion,weboysmustbe amongtheminorityofpeople whohaveeverundertakenthis particularventure..otherthan

theoriginalbuildersorremedialspecialists)orareeverlikelytodosoin thefuture………. Apartfromthefactthat,asthenewflècheistotallyenclosedonallsides, therewouldbelittlereason.

Ofcourse,HealthandSafetyregulationsoftodaywouldDEFINITELYnot permitsuchanactivityandIdoubtverymuchthatTheCathedralauthority oftodaywouldeverauthorise/sanctionwhatmanypeoplereadingthis articlewillbethinkingwasaratherdangerousandmaybesomewhat foolishthingtodo. However,onreflectionIfeelveryproudtohaveparticipatedinthatventure withmyfriendsandofcourseabigthankyouagaintoFatherReddingfor givingustheopportunityandthethrilloftheexperience.Awonderfulman indeed…………Butthenthatwassome70oddyearsago……….

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ProclaimerMagazine:HomePage -76Footnote:
Asapointofinterestatthetimeofourventureandforsomeconsiderabletimeafter,THECHURCH BELLitselfwasoperatedmanuallybymeansofalongropeattachedsomehowtothebell
THECHURCH/CATHEDRALBELL
mechanismitself.TheropebeingsecuredandattachedtoapillaratgroundlevelwithinThe BlessedSacramentchapel.
ProclaimerMagazine:HomePage -77Thebellwouldberungatvarioustimesasnotificationtothepublicthatcommencementofaservice wasimminentandalsoatotherspecifictimesduringreligiousservices. Inmyearlydaysofthelate1940’s,1950’sandearly1960’s,theactivityandresponsibilityforthe ringingofthebellwasnormally(mostly)undertakenbyMrFredSmartthechurchsacristanatthe time.
ProclaimerMagazine:HomePage -78RacenightatCathedral Centre8thJuly2022inaid ofStWilfridsHospice
On8thJulythisyearwehada verysuccessfulRaceNightatthe CathedralCentre,attendedby approximately75people.A Ploughman’sPlusSupperwas includedintheticketcosts,a rafflewithprizesrangingfrom entrytoGoodwoodRaces,some localshopsandrestaurants offeredfreemealsorothergifts, nottomentionallthelovely itemsdonatedbyour parishioners.Betsweretakenon aTotesystem.Theproceedsof £2,748weredonatedtoSt Wilfrid’sHospi
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ReconciliationandFirst

HolyCommunion–SacramentalPreparations infamilyledsessions

OurCathedralReconciliation andFirstHolyCommunion familyledsessions,startedin Novemberforthelatestintakeof youngchildren(aged7to9) followingthepreparation programmealongwiththeir parentswhoattendeachsession. Wefollowthediocesan programmeGrowingUpCatholic growingupcatholic.com)which hasmanyonlineresourcesand evenregular,encouraging messagesfromPopeFrancis. Thereare2setsof6sessions–oneforReconciliationandthe otherforFirstHolyCommunion plusavisittothePoorClares’ Conventinthesummerbefore theymaketheirFirst CommunioninMayandthen

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Itisverymuchafamilyaffairwiththeparents,oradultfamilymembers(sometimesgrandparents) supportingtheiryoungchild(ren),ontheirspiritualjourneynowandthroughoutthecomingyear. ThegroupmeetapproximatelyonceamonthsupportedbythreeexperiencedCatechists,Carmel Morison,StephanieHawkeyandBetsyVernon,wholeadstheprogramme.Betsysays,“itis wonderfuleachyeartoseethechildrengrowanddeveloptheirknowledgeandunderstandingof
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leadtheCorpusChristiprocessioninJunewiththeircommunionbreakfastandGoingForthMass inlateJune.ThegrouphaveanumberofFirstHolyCommunionSundayMasseswherethe9.15am ChoirsingandthechildrengouptothealtarforCanonDavid’sHomily.Lookoutfortheir photographsandpleaseprayforthemandtheirfamilies.Thereare15familiesinvolvedthisyear.

theirfaith.Itisatimealsofortheirparent(s)torevisittheirsandjourneywiththeir child(ren)together”.InFebruary,ChildrenmaketheirFirstConfessionata ReconciliationServiceandanopenconfessionwheretheirparentstakethemupto CanonDavidandavisitingpriest,introducingtheirchildandJunetheirFirstHoly Communion–suchamemorabledayandweknowyouallcanrelatetothatwhenyou madeyourFirstHolyCommunion. CanonDavidisinvolvedthroughouttheyearwithhisverydowntoearthand

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pragmaticapproachtosupportingtheyoungpeople’sandtheirfamilies’spiritualjourney.Itisa realteamapproachsupportedgreatlybyLouise(cathedralsecretary),Mike(caretaker)andJenny, hiswifewhosuppliesrosaries,booksandbiblestousewitheachyeargroup.The9.15amMass’ MusicGroupwithMonicaCliftonandPatd‘Avrayonthepianoandorgan(shealsoplaysatthe ReconciliationService).

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TwoParishCelebrations

Mother’sDay MotheringSundayisalwaysaspecialtimeto acknowledgetheloveandgenerosityofourmumand ladiescoincidingwithArundelCathedralbeingthe “MotherChurch”foralltheparishesanddeaneries thatmakeupourArundelandBrightonDiocese. Nextyearmarksthe150thanniversaryofour Cathedral. AtMass,bunchesofdaffodils(orderedeachyear fromCornwallwholookforwardtoprovidingthe variousvarietiesofdaffodilsornarcissiforthis occasion),aregivenoutinbasketsbyouryoung peopleoftheparishandalsoatthe11.15amMass.

Afterthe9.15amMass,intheCathedralCentre,a specialbreakfastisprovidedforallthemumsand ladiesinthecongregation.Placesettingsare beautifullylaidoutanddecoratedwithspringflowers alongabanquettableinthecentreoftheroom.The gentlemenservetheladieswithachoiceof croissants,juices,andbottomlesspotsofteaand coffee,clearingawayandwashingupaswell!

Nextyear’sMotheringSundaywillfallonSunday March19th2023–makesureyoucomealong!

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Father’sDay

Amulti-colouredchoiceofsinglerosesaregivenoutbythechildrenattheendofthe 9.15amMass,tomarkFather’sDay.Thisgivesusallagreatopportunitytocelebratethe loveandaffectionwehaveforourdadsandgentlemenoftheparish.

TheCathedralCentrewaftswiththearomaoffryingbaconastheovenpreparesBacon Buttieswithsaucesandrelishes,readytobeservedtothemenfolkbytheladiesofthe parish.Allwasheddownwithampleproportionsoffruitjuice,teaandcoffeetosatisfyall whositdowntotheplace-settings,alongadecoratedlongtabledownthecentreofthe hall.

DateforthediarynextyearisSunday18thJune2023.Don’tholdback,comeandjoin thisparishoccasionandachancetothankCanonDavidaswell!

Editor’sNote:BetsyandAdamVernonorganiseandrunthesetwolovelyparishevents, andwewouldliketoextendheartfeltthankstothemforalltheirhardwork,whichis verymuchappreciated.

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Forupdatesaboutanyevent,pleaseseetheCathedralwebsiteorcalltheCathedral Office.

ForCathedralopeninghours,pleasecheckthewebsiteorcalltheCathedralOffice.

WeekdayMassesat10amandSundayMassat11.15amarelivestreamedonour website www.arundelcathedral.uk asarefuneralsandsomeotherevents.

DECEMBER

Sunday4th 11.15am VisitingChoirfromStTeresa’sSchool, Effingham

Saturday10th 10.00am MassintheFitzalanChapel

Tuesday13th 1.00pm GreatBallardSchoolChristmasService

Wednesday14th 2.00pm StPhilip’sSchoolAdventService

JANUARY

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Thursday15th 6.30pm CaninePartnersCarolService www.caninepartners.org.uk
Saturday24th 5.00pm VigilMassofChristmas Saturday24th 11.30pm MidnightMass Sunday25th 9.15am ChristmasDayMass 11.15am ChristmasDayMass
Winter2022-Spring2023
Friday6th EPIPHANY 10.00am Mass 7.00pm Mass Thursday12th 10.45am BereavementGroupCoffeeinCathedral House Saturday21st TBC OrganRecitalbyRichardMcVeigh CathedralEvents
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th 7.30pm UniversityofChichesterChoirs Aneveningofsacredchoralmusic
th 10.45am BereavementGroupCoffeeinCathedral House Saturday11th 10.00am MassintheFitzalanChapel 2.30pm MassofAnointingfollowedby refreshmentsin CathedralCentre Saturday18th Allday MatthewColeridgeChoralWorkshop https://matthewcoleridge.com/arundel/ 6.00pm MatthewColeridgeConcert Wednesday22nd ASHWEDNESDAY 10.00am Massanddistributionofashes 7.00pm Massanddistributionofashes Saturday25th 2.30pm DiocesanRiteofElectionService MARCH Saturday4th 5.00pm Concert-Noye’sFludde(Britten) Saturday11th 1.00pm Concert-Stabatmater(Pergolesi) CathedralChoir Saturday18th 7.30pm ArunChoralSocietyConcert www.arunchoralsociety.co.uk Saturday25th 7.30pm AngmeringChoraleConcert www.theangmeringchorale.org.uk
Saturday4
Thursday9
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OfficeofReadingsandMorningPrayer
OfficeofReadingsandMorningPrayer
th
CathedralDeaneryConfirmations
th
OrganRecital–RobertSholl
APRIL Saturday1st 1.00pm OrganRecital–RobertSholl Sunday2nd PALMSUNDAY Wednesday5th 6.00pm DiocesanChrismMass Thursday6th HOLYTHURSDAY 8.00pm MassoftheLord’sSupperinthe Cathedralfollowedby waitingtomidnightatthealtarof repose. 11.50pm Compline Friday7th GOODFRIDAY 9.00am
10.00am StationsoftheCross 3.00pm ThePassion–CollectionforHoly Places Saturday8th HOLYSATURDAY 9.00am
TimeTBC TheEasterVigilandFirstMassofthe Resurrection Sunday9th EASTERSUNDAY Massesat9.15amand11.15am Saturday15th TBC LeconfieldSingersConcert www.leconfieldsingers.co.uk MAY Sunday14
3.00pm
Saturday20
1.00pm

BAPTISMS

MARRIAGES

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15th May Natasha,Herbie,Sunny&MindyWoollerton 15th May EdwardRupertAllingham 22nd May LochlanAlbertTrent 28th May HugoKeithRaffaelSutton&HarrisonThomasDavidSutton 12th June TheodoreFinleyJamesFricker 18th June MaisieSophiaMisselbrook 21st August LukeBenedictBydawell 16th October ElsieVioletStanley
7th May JasonDavidSmailes&YasminLouiseSparshott 14th May WilliamJohnStanding&MelanieJayneSayers 21st May RichardJamesJones&CharlotteAnneBarry 27th May AlexanderRossWilliams&JeocastraBarmudRassilanMoreira 11th June RyanMatthewTully&HannahJosephineMacken 23rd July VincenzPrinzzuFürstenberg&GeorginaMelville 6thAugust OliverWilliamStarr&NicolaJayneEdwards 11thAugust RichardJohn-PatrickFrancis-XavierWiggins&Irina-MihaelaBirt 13thAugust ScottHarris&StephanieFernando 10thSeptember LukeAaronDove&LaurenClareSymons 24thSeptember WilliamKent&NinaMattielloAzadeh

DEATHS

11th February

Ida-MerriellMyers(95years) 23rd March NancyMitchell(64years) 13th April

DawnDowling(58years)ashesburiedSeptember2022 27th April RoyVictorAlderton(92years) 28th April FlorenceMayKeogh(88years) 5th June PhilipIvorWood(93years) 8th June AntoniettaPayne(99years) 11th June

FrancisAnthonyPatrickMadden(95years) 14th June DavidHaroldHalsey(75years) 25th June 22nd July

RosamundChristianHowe(79years) ColinSwanton(84years)

NicholasAnthonyMaxwell-Lawford(86years) 25th August AnnBernadetteRussell(89years) 21st September

13th August

JohnFrederickMason(78years) 25th September MargaretAliciaRitaGammon(95years) 2nd November CoraGillies(66years)

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PhotoCredits

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AntoineLamielle,Wikimedia
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