Arundel Cathedral Parish Proclaimer Winter 2022

IntroductionfromCanonDavid6 RememberingPastPilgrimages-TimetoReturn!8 CorpusChristi202220 Michelangelo'sPieta26 TheChristianAttitudetoDeath32 StPhilip’sSchool,Arundel36

TheFriendsOfArundelCathedralCelebrationOfVespers40

ArundelCathedralOutreachandEducationProject44 HolySoulsNovember202250 AllIReallyNeedToKnow54 WhatinLifeWereWings56

byMelindaHeatthcode Editor

Season’sGreetingstoallourreaders! Wehopeyouenjoythisour4th editionoftheonlineProclaimer.Our planisalsotoprintthiseditionaswe knowmanyofourreaderspreferto havepapercopies–andweare hopingforyoursupporttocontinueto printinfuture,aswellascontinue online. Asyouwillsee,Brydenhasdonehis usualmagicandthegraphicsand layoutaresecondtonone.Wehaveso muchtocelebrateinourparishand lookforwardtohearingfromour readersofanyitemsofinterestto includenexttime.

Editor’sNote

November2022

IntroductionfromCanonDavid

Welcometothe2022/23WintereditionoftheParish Proclaimer.Thankyoutooureditor,Melindaandtoall ourcontributors.Theneedtoproclaimthemessageof Jesusisalwaysbeforeusandthroughthismagazinehis messageisproclaimedanewthroughourreflectionson history,cultureandspirituality.Ithasbeenadifficult coupleofyearsandwearestillnotoutofthewoodsyet, buttheGospelispreachedinseasonandoutofseason (see2Timothy4:2)becauseithelpsustofacethe challengesbeforeus,especiallytolookoutforone another.TheGospelisamessageofjoythatunfoldsin historyandthereinliesourhope.ThisChristmasandNew YearwecanrememberthewordsofPopeFrancis reflectingontheChristmascrib,whichcanstayupuntil thefeastofthePresentationoftheLordon2ndFebruary. Hewritesina2019letteronthemeaningandimportance ofthenativityscene:“StandingbeforetheChristmascrib, weareremindedofthetimewhenwewerechildren, eagerlywaitingtosetitup.Thesememoriesmakeusall themoreconsciousofthepreciousgiftreceivedfrom thosewhopassedonthefaithtous.Atthesametime,they remindusofourdutytosharethissameexperiencewith ourchildrenandourgrandchildren.Itdoesnotmatter

howthenativitysceneisarranged:itcanalwaysbethesameoritcanchange fromyeartoyear.Whatmattersisthatitspeakstoourlives.Whereveritis, andwhateverformittakes,theChristmascribspeakstousoftheloveofGod, theGodwhobecameachildinordertomakeusknowhowcloseheistoevery man,womanandchild,regardlessoftheircondition.”Aswellasreadingand enjoyingthiseditionoftheProclaimer,pleasealsostopforathoughtorprayer bytheChristmascribthisWinterseason.

Withmybestwishesandprayers,CanonDavid

byHarryRobertson

RememberingPastPilgrimages–TimetoReturn!

WithsharplyreducingCovidlevelsandthe increasingresumptionofshort-haulflights, nowisthetimetoplanthatlong-promised pilgrimage.Attachedareafewpersonal-and admittedlyratherquirky–memoriesof pilgrimagestofourofthegreatEuropean locations:Lourdes;Fatima;Medjugorjeand theHolyLand.

Lourdes LourdesisveryspecialtoA&BDiocesebecause oftheannualpilgrimagewhenmorethan700 pilgrimsfromtheDiocese,sickandablebodied,travelforaweekofprayer,praise, companionshipandgoodFrenchcooking. AsmallmarkettowninsouthernFrance,in thefoothillsofthePyreneesmountains,about 300milesfromtheSpanishborder,Lourdesis atownofabout15,000souls–with270hotels tosupportthefivemillionormorepilgrims whovisiteachyear.

Itsfamespringsfromthe1858appearanceof theBlessedVirginMaryto14-year-old BernadetteSoubirouson18occasionsinthe MassabielleGrotto.Sherevealedherselfasthe ‘ImmaculateConception’atermBernadette didnotunderstandbutthathadbeendeclared

byPopePiusIXfouryearsearlier.The LadyalsotoldBernadettetodiginthe groundatacertainspotandthento drinkfromthesmallspringofwaterthat begantogushforth.Almostimmediately cureswerereportedfromdrinkingthe water. Lourdeswasthefirstorganised pilgrimagethatmywifeandIwenton, about10yearsago.Aswepassednearthe siteoftheapparitions,myfirst impressionwasofwall-to-wallsouvenir shops(photo1.Walltowalltourist shops)andmyheartsank.Itsoon reboundedwhenIdiscoveredthatthat

theSanctuaryofOurLadyof Lourdes,the‘Domain’asitis known,theareaaroundthe apparitions,wasentirely commerce-free,aplaceofpeace andholiness,containingthe Grottoaswellastapstodispense theLourdeswater,several churchesandbasilicas,andsome administrativeoffices. Myfavouritetimetovisitthe Grottowaslateintheevening whenthecrowdshadgone,it wascoolandthehubbubof daytimenoisewasstilled.(photo 2.EveningintheGrotto) Ontheotherhand,early morningswerealmostasspecial. Risingsoonafterdawn,the streetsweresilentanddeserted apartfromtheoccasional workmen,leaf-blowingor wateringthestreets.Shivering slightly,weclimbedthehillnext totheBasilicaoftheImmaculate Conceptiontoreachthe beautifulandmovingStationsof theCross(photo3.TheHigh StationsoftheCross).High abovethetown,withthesnowcappedmountaintopsofthe

Pyreneesinthedistance,westoodinfrontofeachStation, astheLeaderproclaimed:‘WeadoreThee,OChrist,and blessThee’,towhichweresponded‘BecausebyThyholy crossThouhastredeemedtheworld’.

TheDomainisbeautiful.Myfavouriteplace,apartfromtheGrotto,wasthespectacularBasilicaof SaintPiusX,aconcretestructure,completedin1958andalmostentirelyunderground.The interiorisvastwithconcretebeamscrossingtheceiling,makingitseemasifonewasinsidean upturnedboat–ahugeone,capableofholding25,000worshippers(photo4.TheBasilicaofSt PiusX).ItalsocontainsarelicofStJohnPaulII,apieceofthesoutanehewaswearingon13th May1981thatismarkedwithhisbloodfromtheattempttoassassinatehim.

Fatima

FatimaistheyoungersisterofLourdes,renownedfortheapparitionsoftheBlessedVirginMary tothreeyoungshepherdsin1917.ItisincentralPortugal,about90milesnorthofLisbon. Tomymind,thetwositesareverydifferent.

LourdesreflectsthelightandwarmthoftheVirginMary,itshealingsofbodyandspiritspeakof God’sloveandforgiveness.Thegaietyofthetownandthesparklingfast-flowingGavedePauriver thatrunsthroughthetownreflectlifeinitsfullness.

Fatimawithitsbare,sun-scorchedearthismoresombre,perhapsreflectinghumansinfulness

meritingGod’sjusticeandretribution–aswellasexpressingHisloveanddesireforreconciliation throughprayerandsacrificeleadingtograceandmercy(photo5.BasilicaofOurLadyoftheRosary inFatima).

TheFatimaapparitionstookplaceinacountrywherethenewrepublicwashostiletotheChurch,and theBlessedVirginspokeoftheneedforActsofReparationandprayerstoconsoleJesusforthesins oftheworld–indeed,shegavethechildrenaterrifyingvisionofHell.Twoofthethreechildseers thendiedearly,fromtheflupandemic,attheagesofnineandten.

OneothersignificantdifferencebetweenLourdesandFatimawasthemiracleofnaturalphenomena providedtothehugecrowdgatheredatFatima,whenthesunwasseento‘dance’intheskyoromit multi-colouredlights,visibletomanythousandsofthosepresent.

IthoughtaboutthatmoresombresideasIwatchedpilgrimsshufflingontheirkneesacrossthevast squareinfrontoftheBasilicaofOurLadyoftheRosary.(photo6.ApproachingtheBasilicaontheir knees).Twoofthechildseers–canonisedin2017–areinterredintheBasilica,asisthebodyofthe third,SisterLucia.Therearealsoarealtarsdedicatedtoeachofthe15mysteriesoftheRosary. WevisitedFatimain2017,duringthecentenarycelebrationsoftheapparitions.OppositetheBasilica

BasilicaofOurLadyoftheRosaryinFatima

IwaslivingandworkinginAsiainthe1980swhen thephenomenaofMedugorjetookoff,withsix childrenclaimingtheyhadseentheBlessedVirgin Mary,amidreportsofhealings,apparitions,thesun ‘dancing,’metalonRosariesturningagoldencolour, crossesoflightinthesky,conversions,irresistible urgestoattendconfessionandwonderfulfruits, includingimpressivecharityworks. ForvariousreasonsIdidnotfeelabletotravelto Medugorjeuntil30yearslater,in2015.Perhapsit wasbecauseIfeltunabletotakethemiraclesatface value,particularlysincetheChurch,thelocal episcopateaswellasPopeFrancis,hadserious reservationsabouttheapparitions.WhiletheVatican hesitatestoaffirmtheapparitions–understandably, notleastbecausetheyareon-goingandanyfuture ‘message’couldcontradictChurchteaching–people havevotedwiththeirfeetandanestimated16 millionormorehavenowvisitedthesite. Indeed,in2017PopeFrancisappointedaspecial envoytoMedugorjeandin2019heauthorised pilgrimagesthereinviewofthe‘abundantfruitsof gracethathavesprungfromit.’However,theDirectoroftheHolySee’sPressOfficeemphasisedthat theauthorisationshouldnotbeconsidered‘an authenticationofknownevents,whichstillrequire examinationbytheChurch’. So,in2015ourplanetoucheddowninSplitAirport inCroatiaandwetookaminibusoverthemountains

HiddenstepsforkeepingGodcompany StJamesChurch

toMedjugorjeinthesouthwestpartof Herzegovina(thesouthernpartofBosniaand HerzegovinaFederation). OurguiderequestedthatwepraytheRosary non-stopduringthejourney.Afteranhouror sothebusseemedtobeclimbingsteeplysoI glancedoutthewindow–andwishedIhad not.Theroadfellawaysteeply;several hundredfeetbelowwasthevalleyfloor.I resumedprayingwithsomeurgencyandat

lastwearrivedsafelyinMedugorje–the firstmiracle-andIsawStJamesChurch, locationofsomeoftheapparitions.(photo 10.StJamesChurch)

Thisisfarmingcountry;theparishof Medugorje,populationabout4,500,is renownedforitsfruitandvegetables,with cherry,plum,pear,peach,appleandapricot trees,butperhapsevenmoresoforits harvestsoftobaccoandwine.Itisalsovery hilly,withsteep,rockyhillsfullofboulders andsharp-edgedrocks.Twohillswerekey destinationsforpilgrims:ApparitionHill whereOurLadyallegedlyappearedtothe visionariesandCrossMountainwithits largeconcretecrossthattowersoverthe valleybelow.

Wehadfollowedthepilgrimguidancenotes totheletterandcamewellequippedwith stouthill-walkingbootsandtwohiking sticks-weevenpractisedonthequietand smoothroadsofHove.

OnesunnydayIwasmakingahugeeffort, inchingupthesteepinclineofApparition Hill,jaggedrockstorightandleft,scree breakingawaybeneathmyfeet,thesunhot onmybackandsweattricklingintomy eyes…whenIsaworsensedabluratthe cornerofmyeye.Aneighty-year-oldIrish grannywearingplimsollssweptpast,her feetbarelytouchingtheground-thesecond miracle.

Sadly,thegrannyandotherfamilymembers wereinMedjugorjewithaparticular intentioninmind;toprayforafamily memberwhohadaseriousdrugaddiction. Shortlyafterwards,theemergencyrescue teamwiththeirstretcheralsopassedbyandI sloweddownevenmore,ifthatwaspossible. (photo11.TheRescueTeam)

Itwasn’talltoilandtrouble.Nearthebase,at thebluecross,whichmarksthespotwhere theapparitionswerereportedtohavetaken place,aprayerfulspotifevertherewasone, (photo12.TheBlueCross)wethankedGod forHisgoodnessandfeltparticularlycloseto Him.

Theremustbesomethingaboutmountains; Jesusoftensoughtouthighmountainsto prayormeetwiththeapostles.Inasensewe werealllookingfortheLordintheheights. (photo13.CrossMountain,climbingtomeet

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theLord)

Andtoanswertheunspokenquestion: ‘Yes’,Medjugorjeisindeedaplacewhere thespiritfeelstheurgetoreconcilewith God.Therewereabout50confessionals withmostlanguagescateredforand queuesmostevenings.Unexpectedly,since Ihaddevelopeda(fairly)regular confessionhabit,Ifeltakeendesireto auditmyownlifeanddigdeepuntilI foundsomethingthatIhadnotyet confessed–thethirdmiracle.

TheHolyLandissurelythesummitof pilgrimages;theplacewhereourLordwas born,lived,ministered,suffered,died,was buried,roseagainandascendedintoglory. In2013wejoinedapilgrimagevisiting Bethlehem,Jerusalem,theJordanRiver, Galilee,theDeadSeaandseveralother places.

ThefirstsurprisewasthatIsraelistiny.It isonlysixmilesfromJerusalemto Bethlehem,14totheDeadSeaandaround 70toNazarethandtheSeaofGalilee.The secondsurprisewasthattheArab/Israeli antagonismwasstillsodeadlyseriousand omnipresent.

Onthefirstdaywemadetheshortdrive fromJerusalemtoBethlehem,stoppingat amassivesecuritywall,ascaronthe

TheBlueCross

CrossMountain,climbingtomeettheLord

SecurityWallnearBethlehem

landscapethathadbecomeatouriststop.(photo14.SecurityWallnearBethlehem)Ourguide wasaPalestinianChristianArabwhowasabletoexplainthechallengingArabandChristian experiencesofdailylifeinIsrael.

WanderingaroundJerusalem,wewerefrequentlyremindedofthesecuritysituation,whether itwasthesuddenroarofafighterplaneoverhead,troopsloungingintheshadeofanancient buildingorarmedsoldiersfilteringthroughthecrowdedbazaarsintheOldCity.

InmanywaysJerusalemliveduptoourexpectationsanditwasacaseof‘Ifonlythesewalls couldspeak.’Whilethetraditionalhighlightsofthepilgrimage,suchastheChurchoftheHoly SepulchreandtheViaDolorosa,madetheexpectedimpact,threeotherlocationsalsospoke loudly.

SinceancienttimestraditionalJewshavelongedtobeburiedinJerusalem(particularlyon theMountofOlives,somebelievingthatresurrectionwillbeginfromthatlocation)andIwas amazedbythesizeofthecemeteryontheMountofOlives,consideredtobethelargestand holiestJewishcemeteryonearthwithasmanyas150,000tombs.(photo15.MountofOlives JewishCemetery)Amongtheburiedare,asexpected,rabbisandreligiousscholars,

businessmen,culturalandpoliticalfigures,scientists–andthelatePrincePhilip’smother,Princess AliceofBattenberg,whowasrecognisedas‘RighteousamongtheNations’,anhonourgiventononJewswhoriskedtheirlivestosaveJewsduringtheHolocaust.

TheGardenofGethsemaneisnowsmallandbuiltaround-buttherearestillsomewonderful ancient-lookingolivetreesthere.(photo16.OliveTreesinGardenofGethsemane)Ireadrecentlythat anItalianresearchstudyfoundthatsomeofthetreesdatedfromtheyear1092ADandwereprobably plantedfromearlierversions. 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-preservedruinsofasynagoguedatingtothefirst century,presumablytheonewhereJesusattendedandtaught. ItisveryeasytoimagineJesuswalkingbetweenthetwo. Assomeonesaid,Israelisindeed‘thefifthGospel’.

MountofOlivesJewishCemetery

Havingbeenunabletocelebrate CorpusChristiatallduringthe2020 lockdown,andhavinghadtomakedo withaveryabbreviatedversionin 2021,therewasarealdetermination thisyeartogetbacktosomekindof normal.ThetraditionoftheCorpus ChristiprocessionandCarpetof FlowerswasinstitutedbyDukeHenry inthe1870s,justafewyearsafterthe greatchurchhadbeencompleted,and thecelebrationhasbecomeadefining featureoftheCathedral,andindeed thetown,takingplacewithoutfail eachyear.Theonlybreak,priorto Covid,occurredduringtheFirst WorldWar,whentheEstatestaffthen responsiblefortheCarpetwereallat theFront.

Forsomeonelikemyselfwhohas beenpartoftheParishformany years,CorpusChristievokeslotsof memories-ofone’sfirstcarrying bannersalongsidetheredoubtable HeadLadsofyore,CharlieSmithers andDennisHartigan;ofone’s

daughtersintheirFirstCommuniondressesstrewingpetalsundertheguidanceofBetty Barrett;oftryingtoholdtheCanopystraightaboveBishopCormacasheswervedleftand rightlikethemaraudingrugbyforwardthathewasinanotherlife;oftakingoverfromJim Kenny,withsometrepidation,theroleofdrawingupthefull-scaleCarpet;ofthe satisfactionofseeingafinishedCarpetgivingpleasuretovisitorsintheirthousands;andof themomentsduringthemassandbenedictionwhenonerecognisesthepurposeofitall. PlanningfortheCarpetbeginssoonafterChristmas,astheappropriatequantityofeach typeandcolourofflowerhastobeorderedwellinadvance.Forthisyearitwasagreedthat thedesignshouldtakeasitstheme‘TheWordofGod’,thethemeoriginallyintendedfor the2020event.Certainwordsandimageswerechosen–anopenbook,awhitedove–alwaysbearinginmindthatwhatevergraphiciconsarechosenhavetoworkwhen translatedintoflowers.RathertomyreliefCanonTim’soriginalenthusiasmforagraphic representationofaburningbush,challengingbyanystandards,wasnotsharedbyhis successor.

OncethedesignisagreedIhavetheinterestingtaskofcalculatingtheareaofeachcolour inthelettersandiconsinvolved;easyenoughinthecaseofasimplegeometricshape,but

quitetrickyinthecaseof,forexample,atotallyasymmetricwhitedove.Oncewehavetheareas MaryBaggandherteamcanworkouthowmanyheadsofwhiteofchrysanthemums,for example,areneededtocover36squarefeetofcarpet.Meanwhile,withthehelpofFaithHarding Ipreparefull-sizecardstencilstofacilitatedrawingupthedesignonheavy-dutypapercovering thecentralaisle.

WiththecarpetdesigndrawnuponSundayafternoonthewholeofMondayistakenupwitha dozenpatientvolunteerschoppingupsmallpiecesofgreeneryforthebackground.Thenon Tuesdayvolunteersgetdownontheirkneesandlaytheflowerheadsonapainting-by-numbers basis,fillingintheoutlinedspacesandshapes.Graduallyalotofchalkmarksonpaperare transformedintobrightlycolouredimages.Somewillhavenoticedinthisyear’sdesignthe initials‘MH’includedateitherendofthecarpet.MaryHarding,whosememorytheseletters honour,wasformanyyearsthemainstayoftheteam,awomanofunfailingcompetence,patience

andpositivity,onwhosewatchnothingwouldcomeapart.Thoseofuswhohadhadthejoyof workingwithMarywereconsciousofherspiritateverystageofthisyear’spreparationand celebrations.

Inrecentyearswehavehadincreasingnumbersofvisitorscomingintowatchtheprocedureon theMondayandTuesday.AswellasthoselayingtheCarpet,theCathedralisfullofothers workingonthenumerousarrangementsaroundthechurch.MyownfocusatCorpusChristiisof courseontheCarpetitself,plusabitofstewardingandmaybearoleintheprocession,butIam consciousofanenormousamountofworkgoingonelsewhere,undertakenbyotherpeople–sortingoutroadclosuresandPAsystems,marshallingstewards,settingupthesalestables, managingthecateringintheCathedralCentre,andallsortsofotherduties,manyofthem receivinglittlerecognition.

Wecan,Ithink,feelthatthisyear’sCorpusChristihasbeenagreatsuccess.Anxietiesaboutthe likelycostofflowers,lackofvolunteers,anduncertainweatherwereallconfounded.Certainly

therewerefewervisitorsthaninthedayswhenCanonWhalereckonedintensofthousands, butWednesdayandparticularlyThursdaywerebusyenough,andtherewereasmany peopleintheactualprocessiontotheCastleasIcanremember.Reassuringly,enoughwas receivedindonationsandsalestocoverourcosts.

Withtheservicefinallyover,andtheCathedralemptying,myroleisnotquitedone.Isurvey thescatteredremnantsofthecarpet,nowreadyfordisposalandcomposting,andasso oftenbeforeitisConnorandhisfamilywhoaretherewithbroomsandalastburstof energy,tohelprollupthepaperunderlayandsweepawayanotheryear’sdisplay.

Michelangelo'sPieta

byJoBriscoe

OurCathedral’sPietà–apaintedreplicasituatedtotheeastoftheBaptistry,is,Ifeel, ofteneithertakenforgranted,orpassed withoutword.Itwaspresentedtoour Cathedralbythe1stBattalionofthePrinceof WalesLeinsterRegimentin1905throughgood worksdoneforthembytheDukeofNorfolkat thattime.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,popularinthose daysinFrance,buthadnotthesamepopularity atthatsametimeinItaly. Theoriginalsculpture,inCarraramarble,was madefortheCardinal’sfuneralmonument, placedintheChapelofSantaPetronilla,a

RomanmausoleumnearthesouthtranseptofSt.Peter’s,whichtheCardinalchoseashis funerarychapel.However,itwasmovedtoitscurrentlocationinthefirstchapelontherightas oneenterstheBasilica,inthe18thcentury,followingdemolitionofthechapelduringsome rebuildingoftheBasilica.ThePietàiscurrentlyshieldedbythickbulletproofacrylicglassafter beingvandalisedin1972. Michelango’sinterpretationofthePietàisunprecedentedinItalianSculpture.Itisan importantworkasitbalancestheRenaissanceidealofclassicalbeautywithnaturalism. Sculptingoftheworktooklessthantwoyearswhichisquiteamazing!Thestructureis pyramidal,andthevertexcoincideswithMary’shead.Thestatuewidensprogressivelydown thedraperyofMary’sdress,tothebase-therockofGolgotha.Thefiguresarequiteoutof proportion,owingtothedifficultyofdepictingafully-grownmancradledfull-lengthina woman’slap.MuchofMary’sbodyisconcealedbyhermonumentaldrapery,andthe

relationshipofthefiguresappearsquitenatural.Michelangelo’sinterpretationofthe Pietàwasfardifferentfromthosepreviouslycreatedbyotherartists,ashesculpteda youngandbeautifulMaryratherthananolderwomanaround50yearsofage.The Madonnaisrepresentedasbeingveryyoungforthemotherofa33-year-oldson,whichis notuncommonindepictionsofheratthetimeofthePassionofChrist.Oneexplanation isthatheryouthsymbolisesherincorruptiblepurity–as,indeed,Michelangelosaid himself.ThemarksoftheCrucifixionarelimitedtoverysmallnailmarksandan indicationofthewoundinJesus’side.Christ’sfacedoesnotrevealsignsofThePassionMichelangelodidnotwanthisversionofthePietàtorepresentdeath,butrathertoshow the“religiousvisionofabandonmentandaserenefaceoftheSon”,thusthe representationofthecommunionbetweenmanandGodbythesanctificationthrough Christ.

InthewordsofGiorgioVasari(astudentofMichelangeloandanenthusiasticfriend) whoidolisedMichelangeloasanartistandreveredhimasamanandwhoalsowrote ‘LifeofMichelangelo’:“ThePietàwasarevelationofallthepotentialitiesandforceof theartofsculpture.Itwouldbeimpossibleforanycraftsmanorsculptornomatter howbrilliantevertosurpassthegraceordesignofthisworkortrytocutandpolish themarblewiththeskillthatMichelangelodisplayed.Amongthemanybeautiful features,thisisnotablydemonstratedbythebodyofChristitself.Itwouldbe impossibletofindabodyshowinggreatermasteryofartandpossessingmore beautifulmembers,oranudewithmoredetailinthemuscles,veinsandnerves

stretchedovertheirframeworkofbones,oramoredeathlycorpse.…….it staggersbeliefthatthehandofanartistcouldhaveexecutedthisinspiredand admirableworksoperfectlyandinsoshortatime(onlytwoyears).Itiscertainly amiraclethataformlessblockofstonecouldeverhavebeenreducedtoa perfectionthatnatureisscarcelyabletocreateintheflesh”.Thismasterpiece datesfrom1499,whentheartistwasonly24yearsold.TheMadonna’syouthful, sweetfaceexpresseshersubmissiontodestiny,asshecradlesthedeadChrist’s limpbodyinherlap,yetthedraperyofherdressandveilsuggestanextraordinary physicalandmoralstrength,whichcontrastswiththedelicate,15thcentury features.Michelangeloputintothisworksomuchloveandeffortthathelefthis namewrittenacrossthedraperyoverOurLady’sbreast–somethingheneverdid againinanyofhisworks! WemaynothavethebeautyoftheoriginalMichelangeloPietàsculptureinour Cathedral,butreflectiononthedetailsofthatoriginal’sveryspecialfeatures replicatedheremayinspireourappreciationofourownPietàwithitsspiritual meaningandvalues.

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TheChristianAttitudetoDeath

byRevDavidClifton

Itseemsthatthesedaysnothingisconsidered‘taboo’asasubjectofconversation,yetpeoplearestill veryreticentaboutspeakingcandidlyofdeath,atleastoftheirowndeath,orthedeathofthoseclose tothem.Theyveryoftenrefertodeathindirectly,speakingofhaving‘lost’someone,orofalovedone having‘passedaway’,andreferringtotheirowndeathbysaying‘iftheworsthappens’,andinthe caseofayoungperson’sdeath,theywillremark,‘whatawaste’.Butisdeathreallythe‘worst’thing

thatcanhappentous,andisayoung person’sdeatha‘waste’?

TheChurchisrealisticaboutdeath.Itisan evil,therendingapartofthehumanperson; soultornfrombody.Anditcancertainlybe verydistressingforthoseleftbehind.In additiontotheheartbreakoflossandthe emotionaltollofthegrievingprocess,there canbepracticaldifficulties,particularlyifthe onewhodiesisthemain‘breadwinner’,or onewhosechiefrolehasbeenasacarer.The lossofsuchaperson,especiallyif unexpected,canradicallychangethe dynamicoffamilyrelationships,both emotionallyandpractically. ButtheChurchencouragesusnottobe consumedbytheburdenofbereavement.In

anintroductiontoprayerintheofficeof vespersononeoftheSaturdaysofthefourweekcycle,thesewordsarefound,‘Godour Fatherleadsusforwardwithgreatlove towardsthejoyfuldaywhenweenterhis rest.’StPaulremindsusthatwecanlook forwardtotheresurrectionofthedead;‘But wedonotwantyoutobeuninformed, brothersandsisters,aboutthosewhohave died,sothatyoumaynotgrieveasothers dowhohavenohope.’[Thes4:13].Andin theChurch’sfuneralliturgiesthereisthe sameelementofjoy.Thisinsistenceon joyfulnessmayappearstrangefroma humanstandpoint,butfromtheearliest daysoftheChurch,theinspirationofall Christianfuneralriteshasbeenafirmhope intheresurrectionofthedead.StPaul confidentlyasserts,‘Butifwehavediedwith Christ,webelievethatwewillalsolivewith him.’[Rom6:8]Andagain,‘Forasalldiein Adam,soallwillbemadealiveinChrist.’ [1Cor15:22] Thewordthatisusedmostfrequentlyof thisjoyfulhopeandreadinessforthe resurrectionis“peace”(Latin–‘requies’)-a

wordwhichsurvivesintoourpresentliturgy,andwhichsignifiesthesereneandlastingpossession ofthelifethatGodhaspreparedforthosewholovehim.So,deathisnotanending,butforthose whodieatpeacewithGod,itisatransformation,andatransformationtosomethingmuchbetter. ButiftheChurchisrealisticaboutdeath,itisalsorealisticabouthumanity.Itrecognisesthat everyonehassinnedandneedsthemercyof God.ButtocomeintoGod’spresenceafter deathweneedtobeabsolutelypureand holy,sosomekindofpurificationisneeded. Deathispartofthatprocessofpurification whichenablesustoexperiencethevisionof God.Inherfuneralrites,therefore,the Churchoffersprayersforthosewhohave died.ForChristians,oursorrowand lonelinessatthelossofalovedonecarries,in themidstofourtears,oursureandcertain beliefintheresurrectionandeternallife.In theprayersoftheMassweprayforthose whohavediedwiththewords: “Rememberyourservantwhomyouhave calledfromthisworldtoyourself. Grantthathe(she)whowasunitedwithyour Soninadeathlikehis,mayalsobeonewith himinhisResurrection,whenfromtheearth hewillraiseupinthefleshthosewhohave died,andtransformourlowlybodyafterthe patternofhisowngloriousbody.Toour departedbrothersandsisters,too,andtoall whowerepleasingtoyouattheirpassing

fromthislife,givekindadmittancetoyourkingdom.Therewehopetoenjoyforeverthefullness ofyourglory,whenyouwillwipeawayeverytearfromoureyes. Forseeingyou,ourGod,asyouare,weshallbelikeyouforalltheagesandpraiseyouwithout end”.

Death,then,isnotthe‘worst’thingthatcanhappen.Itisthegatewaytothe‘best’thing.Thisis whatwewerecreatedfor;toenjoythatcloseintimacywithGodwhichisthesourceofall happiness.Indeathwewillhavereachedourperfectfulfilment.Death,evenoftheveryyoung,is nevera‘waste’,butacompletion.Despiteoursorrow,thereissomethingtorejoiceabout.

byLucyHorne,Headteacher

StPhilip’sSchool,Arundel

Westartedtheacademicyearby gatheringtogetherintheCathedral forour‘Beginningofyearmass’.It wasthefirsttimeReceptionClass hadbeenintochurchwiththe schoolanditwasawonderfulway tostarttheyear–asacommunity. TheAutumnTermisalsothetime fortheannualMayor’sService. Eachyear,ourschoolaredelighted tobewelcomedtocelebratethe

startoftheMayorofArundel’syearahead.We jointherestofthetowninprayerandthanks together.ThisyearitwascelebratedinSt Nicholas’churchandmanyofourchildren representedtheirRainbows,Brownies,Guides, Beavers,CubsandScoutpacksbywelcoming theMayorandhiscouncillorsfromtheTown Hallintothechurch.Theyalsocarriedtheir troop’sflag.Ourschoolchoirjoinedwith ArundelCofEschoolchoirtosingtogetheras partoftheservice.Childrenfrombothschools alsowroteandreadtheirownpoemforthe service.Itisawonderfulexperienceforthe childrentobeinvolvedinthistraditionandbe fullyinvolvedwiththecommunity.

PastorHugofromYaptonFreeChurchisa regularvisitortoourschoolandwealways welcomehisinterestingupdatesfromthe charityworkhehasbeencarryingoutinother partsoftheworld.Hismostrecentventurewas toMongolia.Thechildrenenjoyhearingabout lifeandthesupportgiveninplacessuchas NepalandMongolia.TheChurchalsosupport theCharity’SoupFromHeaven’whichisbased inSouthAfrica.

TheCatholiccharityCafodvisitedour schooltotalktothechildrenaboutthe worktheycarryoutincountriesaroundthe world.Theyalsotalkedtothechildren aboutClimateChangeandhowthechildren candotheirbittosupportenvironmental issues. Inschool,duringtheAutumnTerm,we givethanksforallthatGodhasgivenus. Weespeciallygivethanksforthefoodwe have,theAutumnalcoloursinnatureand forthefarmerswhoworkhardtoprovide uswiththefood.Thisyear,wecollected HarvestfoodforUKHarvest:https://www.

ukharvest.org.uk/Thecharityvisitedus foraspecialassemblytoshowthe childrenwheretheHarvestfoodthey collectisused.Theywereabletoseehow thefoodtravelsfromtheirkitchen cupboardathometothefamilieswho needitmostinthelocalarea.Families supportedthecollectionwellandthefood sentoffwill,I’msure,begratefully received. Year6childrenattendedtheir3day residentialduringOctober.Theytravelled bycoachtoPGLinHindhead.This overnightstaygiveschildrenthe

opportunitytobuildtheirindependenceandconfidence.Theyhaveagreattime experiencingactivitiestheyhavenevertriedbeforeandtestingtheirresilienceandcomfort zones.Year1wentonatriptoArundelMuseum.Theyweremetbytheeducationleaderin theMuseumandhadtheopportunitytolearnaboutMedievalrealms.Itisawonderful resourcesoclosetotheschool. WearenowpreparingforAdvent.ItwillbeginwiththeDeaneryAdventServiceinthe Cathedral.TheDeaneryschoolscometogetherforthisService.Eachofthefourschools(St

Mary’s,StRichard’s,StPhilipHowardandSt Philip’s)eachcontributeanaspecttothe service–dance,singing,Gospelreflectionor theOurFather.Thehymnsareledbythe orchestraofStPhilipHoward. Itisawonderful,communityevent. Thechildrenwillsoonstarttopreparefor theirChristmasevents.Reception,Class1and 2,allperformtheirversionofTheNativity. KS2childrenretellthestoryofChristmaswith costumes,singingandreadings.Addedinto theChristianaspect,wealsohavetripstosee Santa,thepantomimeandChristmaslunch andparties.Whatabusyterm!

byMargaretBamfordOBE

TheFriendsOfArundel CathedralCelebrationOf Vespers

Summer2022

Ithadseemedalongtime,muchmore than2yearsago,thatTheFriendshad beenabletoenjoytheirtraditional summereventofsungvespers.Two summersofprohibitedgatheringsmade thethoughtofthisyearextraspecial.It wasimportanteverythingwasjust perfect.Anditwas!Theweather,always aworry,couldnothavebeenbetter.High pressureensuredthecelebrationwas blessedwithwonderfulwarmsunny weather.Ithasbeennotedmanytimes beforethatthereisnothingasbeautiful astheeveningsunfilteringthroughthe beautifullyrestoredCathedral’sRose window,orasspirituallyinspiringasthe beautifulvoicesofthecathedral choristersunderthemasterfuldirection oftheirDirectorofMusic,Elizabeth Stratford.Thecombinationofbothchoirandsunshine-isalways indescribablyuplifting,andsoitwasthis evening.

MembersandguestsincludedtheLord Lieutenant,MrsSusanPyper,attendinginan informalcapacity,andHerGrace,theDuchessof Norfolk.HerGracereadashortextractfromthe letterofStJames-thesubjectofthesubsequent homily.Theyweretreatedtoaliturgythat combinedprayer,choralmusic,reflective momentsandperiodsofcommunal intercessions.Membersandtheirguests confirmedhowmovingwasthewhole experience.

BishopRichardwasunabletoofficiateashewas dealingwithoutstandingconfirmations,but guestswerepleasedthatProvost,Canon AnthonyChurchill,wasabletostandintolead theservice,andtohearCanonDavidParmiter

preachadeeplythoughtfulhomily.Hereferred totheshort,butpowerfulreadingemphasising thepurityofdivinewisdom,whichmakesfor peace,iskind,andfullofcompassion.Hewent ontodeveloptheuniversalityofthelinkwith prayer.Heremindedthecongregationthat whoevertheywere,fromwhateverChristian beliefthattheymustneverloseheart.Prayer wascentraltoChristianity.Herepeatedthe invitationtothosewhodonotshareCatholic beliefsbutare“ofgoodwilltobepresentandto sharetheliturgy”.“Whensituationsareunclear, peopleandeventsunpredictable,andourown resourcesbothspiritualandmaterialfeel depleted…”“thereisnohotlinetosolvinglife's dilemmasinstantly……butthereisgracewhich

helpsustolove,tounderstand,toforgiveandtohope”.Inviewofnationaleventsoverthesummersince July,whichhavecreatedsomuchuncertaintyandanxietyforsomanypeople,therecouldbenomore reassuringwordsofcomfort.

AftertheservicebycourtesyofHisGracetheDukeofNorfolk,HonoraryPresident,Friendsandguests wereinvitedforasocialgatheringintheCollectorEarl’sGarden.Thegloriouseveningsummerweather, withnotevenahintofabreeze,madeforaperfectevening.Oldfriendshipswererenewed,andnew friendshipsestablished.Glassesof‘fizz’andcanapeswereservedbychoristersandtrusteestothe accompanimentofagentle,lightjazzbandprovidedbythelocallybasedStardustSussexJazzband.For thosewhowishedtherefollowedaconductedtourofthegardensbyheadgardener,MartinDuncan.

Participantswereverycomplimentaryabouthowinformativeandinterestingitwas.“Sucha knowledgeablespecialist”,“suchcreativeimagination”,“Ilearnedsomuch”,“Howgoodof himtogiveuphistimeforus”werejustsomeofthemanycomplimentsaboutthetourand howmuchitwasappreciated. Thisyear’seventmorethanmadeupforthetwo-yeargap.Itwaswonderful.Itishoped

byPaulWalker

Inthesummerof2019afterMassatSt John’sinHorsham,CanonTimaskedme ifIwouldjoin‘TheFriendsofArundel Cathedral’.Iwasaskedagainthatsummer bytwomembersofTheFriendsand finally,inOctober2019beforethe diocesanPatronalMassforStPhilip Howard,BishopRichardalsoaskedmeto becomeaTrusteeofTheFriendsof ArundelCathedral.Iwasveryhonouredto beaskedandsubsequentlywasvotedonto

ArundelCathedral OutreachandEducation Project

thecommitteeattheA.G.M. AtmyfirstmeetingofTheFriends,Ibroughtseveral suggestionsfordiscussionandtheoneclosesttomy heartisthatofeducationandoutreachtoour CatholicSchoolshavingspentthirtyyearsinCatholic EducationteachingR.E.Iwasalsomindfulto strengthenlocalcommunityrelationshipsand providesomethingforthechildrenoftouristsand visitorstoourbeautifulMotherChurch.Our AnglicanFriendsacrossthecountryhavebeen runningallkindsofprogrammeswithschoolsand thewidercommunityformanyyearsandIfeltthat weweremissingavitalelementinbringingasimilar kindofcathedralengagementtoouryoungpeopleas partofourCatholicMission.Thankfully,weareof courseblessedwiththeannualDiocesanprimaryand secondaryschools’celebrationsoftheEucharist, alongsidethewalkleadbyBishopRichardanda well-deservedpicnicafterwards.Ialsobelievethatit addsanotherlayertotheexcellentCatholic educationprovisionthechildrenalreadyreceivein ourCatholicschoolsacrossthediocese.

PhilosophyandAims

Buildingonawell-establishedprogrammeofthe

Church’syear,alongsideconcerts,tours, visits,talksandfundraising,‘TheFriends ofArundelCathedral,’inthefirstinstance, wereseekingtodevelopandincrease opportunities,specificallyforyoungpeople whoareinformalprimaryand/or secondaryeducationandinthewiderlocal community,tovisit,exploreandexperience thebeauty,historyandheritageofArundel Cathedral.Throughadiverseandrelevant rangeoflearningactivitiesandengagement opportunitieswearestrivingtoenable childrenofprimaryageandabove,with theirteachersandparents,tohaveaccessto

learningbyexploringtheCathedraland itsprecinctsregardlessofphysical, cultural,financial,orintellectual boundaries.Weaimtohighlightits significanceforthelocalandwider communityfromthetimethecathedral wasbuilt,opened,anddedicatedin1873. Indeed,nextJuly2023willbethe150th anniversaryoftheopeningand consecrationoftheCathedral.

ProcessandPlanning

IknewthatChichesterCathedralhada verywellestablishedandsuccessful EducationDepartmentwithabroad

reachacrossSussexandbeyond,soIaskedtovisittheirEducationOfficerinFebruary2020to findouthowtheymanagedtoachieveit.Myvisitwasveryfruitful;so,Iwasverymuchlooking forwardtoplanningandorganisingthistentativepilot‘OutreachandCathedralExploration Project’forandwithTheFriendsofArundelCathedralandIbetyouknowwherethisisheading!

TheGlobalPandemicstruck,andtheworldwentinto‘lockdown’inMarch2020.Itisafactthat sinceMarch2020,duetotheglobal CovidPandemic,untilveryrecently,no youngpersonineducationhadthe opportunitytotakepartintrips,visits, orexperienceresidentialsinanypartof theBritishIsles.Thislackoffreedomto explore,playandmixsociallyhashada detrimentalimpactonthephysicaland mentalhealthandwell-beingof hundredsofthousandsofchildrenand youngpeople:recentNHSresearchhas shownthatagreatmanyyoungpeople aresufferingfromanxietyandfeeling lonelyduetothosetwoyearsofsocial isolation.

TheFriendsofArundelCathedral believedthatweneededtoseizethis opportunitytofosterthisnewinitiative inaplaceofawe,wonderandbeautyso thatyoungpeoplecanemergefroma Covidenvironmenttore-engage, develop,anddeepentheirindividual responsestotheirexperienceina

sacredandpeacefulspace.

Formanyyoungpeopleinourlocality thiswillbethelargestbuildingtheymay haveentered,andthishassuchadeep andlastingimpactontheemotionaland psychologicalwell-beingofthosewho crossthethresholdofthecathedral doorsandstepintotheserenityand beautyofthishistoricbuildingwhichis atthecentreofArundel.Wewantto deepentheknowledgeand understandingofthosewhovisitthe cathedralandbroadentheirhorizons. Wewantthechildrentobenefitand increasetheircuriosity,enjoyment, knowledge,understandingandinterest sothattheyleavewithasenseof purposeandmeaningoftheirplacein thewiderlocality.Weseektobring youngpeopletogethertoengenderan appreciationoftheimportanceofthe culturalheritageandlinkbetweenthe cathedralandthepeoplewithinthelocal community.Formanyyoungpeople,the realisationofbelongingtoanhistoric andfaithcommunityfollowingalmost

twoyearsofaglobalpandemicwillprovidehope forthefuture;stimulatetheirimagination, investigation,andreleasecreativity. Ibelievethatthereareseveralareasofinterest withinthespirituallifeandjourneyofthechildren andofcoursevisitors.Wewouldliketheemphasis ofthisoutreachtofocusonthemanyaspectsof howthecathedralfunctionsandhowitimpactson

theparish,thelocalcommunity,andthediocese.

ThecurrentprogrammeprovidesclassgroupswithaCathedralExplorersQuizTrailsothatthey canwonderfreelytofindmanyareasofreligious,spiritual,artistic,andhistoricsignificancebut theyarealsolearningabouttheCatholicFaith.Onapersonalnote,wealsobroughtourthirty sevenConfirmandifromStJohn’sParishinHorshamtocompletethemorechallengingversionof thetraillastJuneandwewere delightedtohavethecompanyof BishopRichardduringourentirevisit. TheFriendsarehopingthat eventually,theremightbeworkshopbasedactivitiesandvisitsbasedonthe heritageandhistoryoftheCathedral andthelinkswithDukesofNorfolk, pastandpresent.Pilgrimageisa majorthemewhichincludeswalksto improvewell-beingandfitnessnow thatwehaveemergedfromtheCovid Pandemic,anditisalsotheHolyYear oftheCaminotoSantiago(untilthe endof2022).Otherthemessuitedto ourschoolsandvisitorsmayinclude Saints(StPhilipHoward,StPhilip Neri,OurLadyandStJoseph)faith, music,architectureanddesign,arts, stainedglassandcreativity,icon makingandotherrelevantactivities.It mightbethatthechildrencanvisitto experiencesomeoftheseareasand

thenreturntoschooltoorganise projectswithineachoftheir primaries.Sofar,wehavewelcomed fivegroupsofprimarychildrenform ourtwolocaldeaneriesandsixtyYear 6childrenfromStPhilipHoward PrimaryinHatfield,Hertfordshire.It hasbeenandstillisajoytoworkwith andfortheyoungpeopleofour diocese.

Inconclusion,TheFriendsofArundel Cathedralhavenowbegunthis ventureandwebelieveitisagreat opportunitytofosterthisnew initiativeinaplaceofawe,wonder andbeautysothatouryoungpeople canemergefromaCovidenvironment tore-engage,develop,anddeepen theirindividualresponsestotheir experienceofthesacredinour beautifulandprayerfulcathedral.I hopeandpraythatyouwillfindthisa worthyventure.

November2022

byBishopRichardMoth

NovemberisthemonthoftheHolySoulsand, forthepeopleofthisLand,itistheMonthof Remembranceforallwhohavediedinconflict, withitsfocuson11thNovemberandon RemembranceSunday. Whyisprayerforthedeadanimportantpartof ourChristianandCatholiclife?Wereadinthe BookofMaccabees,howJudasMaccabeussent anofferingtoJerusalemforasacrificetobe offeredforthosewhohaddiedinbattle.The textremindsusthatthiswouldhavebeena pointlessact,hadhenothadhopeinthe Resurrection(1). TheChristianismarkedbyHope.Hopeisnot somethingwecancreateforourselves.Itisa giftanditflowsfromtheResurrectionofChrist Himself,forinChristliesallourhope.Itisthis hopethatpromptsourprayersinthismonthof November.Weexercisethisvirtueofhopeina particularway,forwerelyontheLord’smercy toforgiveallthatwouldkeepthosewhohave diedfromtheKingdomofHeaven.Thishopeis onlypossiblebecauseJesushasdiedandrisen fromthedead.Hehasconqueredsinand death.Hehaswonlifeforus. IreflectedataMassrecentlyonthethemeof

HolySouls November2022

Purgatory.Someonecameuptomeafterwardsandsaidthattheyhadnotheardmuchabout Purgatoryrecently.YetPurgatoryisamostwonderfulexpressionofHope. TheexperienceofourrecognitionofourdistancefromGod–broughtaboutthroughoursins –issurelyapainfulthing.Weseeourselvesasweareandthisisnotalwaysaprettypicture. Yetthisveryexperienceofthetruthofthingsalsoenablesustorecognisethewonderofthe loveofGod.Ourpain,inwhateverdegreeitisexperienced,giveswaytotheexperienceof forgiveness–theloveofGodthatovercomesallthings.

St.JohnHenryNewman,inhispoem“TheDreamofGerontius”(2)describesGerontius’

experienceofjudgement.HeleavesthethroneofGodfortheexperienceofPurgatory, rejoicingthathewillknowtheKingdomofHeaven.Itisatthismomentofjudgementthat,in hisPoem,Newmanwritesthewordsofthegreathymn“PraisetotheHoliest.”Theangel proclaims:“PraisetoHisName!Ihappy,sufferingsoul!foritissafe,consumed,yet

Imayriseandgo above,andseeHimin thetruthof everlastingday.” Thispoetic expressionisoneof HopeandLove.This iswhyweprayfor thosewhohavedied, thattheymayknowit isfullnesstheHope andLovethatisthe destinyofthose whomGod–inlove–hascreated.

byAnneBrearly-Smith

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–learnsomeandthinksomeanddrawandpaintandsinganddanceand playandworkeverydaysome. Takeanapeveryafternoon.

Whenyougooutintotheworld,watchoutfortraffic,holdhandsandsticktogether. Beawareofwonder.Rememberthelittleseedintheplasticcup.Therootsgodownandthe plantgoesupandnobodyreallyknowshoworwhy,butwearealllikethat.

Goldfishandhamstersandwhitemiceandeventhelittleseedintheplasticcup–theyalldie. Sodowe.

Thinkwhatabetterworlditwouldbeifweall–thewholeworld–hadbiscuitsandmilk ataboutthreeo’clockeveryafternoonandthenlaydownwithourblanketsforanap.

Orifallgovernmentshadasabasicpolicytoalwaysputthingsbackwheretheyfound themandtocleanuptheirownmess.

Anditisstilltrue,nomatterhowoldyouare–whenyougooutintotheworld,itisbestto holdhandsandsticktogether.

WhatinLifeWereWings

byBarbaraIsbister

Basedonthetruestoryofonegirl’sforceddeportationtotheSiberianGulag

Thestoryofthewartimeexperienceofmymother

Ifwelookathistory,wemightsometimes wonderwhyitispossiblefornations,peoples andcommunitiestoberepeatedlysubjugated byothers;whyrulersanddictatorsoften succeedintheirattemptstocontroloreradicate vastnumbersofinnocentpeople;whythe differencesbetweenuscanbesuchadivisive force,insteadofacauseforcelebration;why, forsome,thedriveforterritorialgainandfor theassertionofpoweraregoalswhichseemto overrideeverythingelse,everythinggood.

Asaresultofthis,manyperish.Oftenonlya minoritysurvivetheirimposedordeals.What inLifeWereWingsisthestoryofonesuch time.Isitpossiblethatwhatseemslikethe answertotheirprayersandtheirfaithinGod, couldsavethem? Itisthestoryinspiredbymymother’s recollectionsofherwartimeexperienceandof herchildhoodbeforethewar.Itisherlegacy.It

isatributetoherfirstandforemost.Italso aimstomakethisstory,almostunknown outsideEasternEurope,accessibletoa widerpublicandfuturegenerationsacross theEnglish-speakingworld.

Backcoverofbook

BeforePutin’sinvasionofUkraine inFebruary2022,thisbookwas readyforpublication.Sadly,since thenwehaveseenthathistory doesindeedrepeatitself.There areparallelsbetweeneventsthat happenedinPolandduringand afterWorldWarIIandtheevents, overeightyyearslater,inUkraine in2022.In1939,approximately halfofPoland,consistingofthe entireareaofeasternPolandfrom northtosouth,wasoccupiedby Russia;thewesternhalfby Germany.Morethanamillion andahalfpeoplewereforcibly deportedfromtheeasternsideto theUSSR.

Mymother’sdeportationtook placefromherhomenearLwów inPoland,whatisnowLvivin WesternUkraine,totheSiberian Gulag.

byMargaretBamfordOBE

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.

Farlesswellknownaretwobeautiful historicchurchesinWestGrinstead:The CatholicChurchofourLadyofConsolation &StFrancis,andtheAnglicanParish ChurchofStGeorge.Ofalltheancient sitesofhistoricalinterestintheCounty thesemustsurelybethetwomostbeautiful andinteresting.Onaglorious,sunny autumndayinSeptemberapilgrimage

organisedbyTheFriendsofArundelCathedralmadetheirannualpilgrimagetothesegemsof Christianityhiddenawayinthecountryside,immaculatelypreservedandlovinglymaintainedby smallbutdevotedcommunities.Theywerewelcomedmostwarmlybyparishionerswhoprovideda welcomingdrinkandsmile.

EvenwiththemostlimitedknowledgeofChristianitymostBritishpeoplewillbeawarethatfromthe 7thCenturyuntilthe1500s

EnglandwasaCatholiccountry.TheinfamousconsequencesofHenryVIII’swishforadivorceand

thesubsequentbreakfromRomearefamiliar. Churcheswereplundered,morethan800 monasteriesdestroyed,clergywerekilled,and thecelebrationofMassmadeillegal. Catholicismwastotallyproscribed,any breachesincurringviolentpunishment.The homesofthosewhosoughttoprotectpriests weredestroyed.Randomraidingpartieswere ruthless–andcunning.Staveswereusedto measurewallsinsideandouttoidentify discrepancies-secretroomspossiblybeing usedaschapelsforthecelebrationofMass,and

yetinspiteofallthistherewere-mainly wealthy-landowningfamilieswho continuedtoprotectandsupportpriests byprovidingsecretchapelsandpriest holes.

Itcouldbethestuffoffiction,andindeed thereareinnumerablesuchworks,but thiswasreal.Oneofonlyaveryfewsites inBritainremainingundetected.The pilgrimsheardhowthetimingand locationoftheproscribedcelebrationof masswascommunicatedbylocalCatholic womenputtingouttheirwashinginsecret codedpatterns.Theyalsosawfor themselvestheminiscule‘priestholes’in whichtheclergywouldhidefromraiding

partiesandthehiddenchapelattheendofahayloft!Accessingbothwasquitechallengeforsomeof thepilgrims.Itwasclearthat500yearsagotheFaithfulhadtobefitandnimbletoclimbnarrow perpendicularstonesteps!Norcouldthepriestsaffordtosufferfromclaustrophobia.The‘holes’ trulyweretiny.

Bringingthisdarkhistorytolifethroughsuchvividillustrationspilgrimageco-ordinaterGeoffrey Callister,guidedpilgrims knowledgeablythroughan illustratedhistoryofthosedark daysof Catholicpersecution.The gruesomefatesofthosepriests continuingsecretlytopracticethe celebrationoftheMasswere testimonytoapowerfulFaith,as wastheFaithoffamilieswhorisked beingdiscoveredtobeharbouring offenders.Familiessuchasthe Carylls,whowerestrippedoftheir home,theirwealthandtheirland butnotbefore,over200years, havingprovidedsanctuaryfor priestsandprovidedtheirhayloft forthecelebrationofMass.The narrativeiscompelling.

Duringapicniclunchinthepeace andsunshineofthegardenatthe Shrine,thepilgrimswereableto reflectandsharethoughtsaboutall

theyhadheardandseenthatmorning.Thoughtsparticularlyaboutthebraveryandfaithof theirpredecessors.Soberingindeed.

AfterlunchthepilgrimswalkedtheshortdistancetoStGeorge’s–theAnglicanParishChurch. TheywalkedacrossthelandoriginallyownedandfarmedbytheCaryllfamily.Fieldsofgrass andcultivatedcrops,andlovelyviewsofthecountrysidebut,underfoot,bricksandlargepieces ofmortar–clunkyremindersofallthatremainedoftheCaryll’sfamilyhomeandfarm buildingsdestroyedduringthepersecutions. Seeminglyinthemiddleofnowhere,andinaverydifferentway,StGeorge’sisalsorichin historicalartefactsandprovidesafascinating800-year-oldsocialhistoryofits community.Anabundanceofnamedfamilypews,stonetombs,sculptures,and documentscarefullypreserved,areatreasuretroveofhowcommunitieslived throughtheages.Therecertainlywasn’tsufficienttimetoabsorbitall.But appetiteswhetteditcertainlywillnotbelongbeforeanothertripisplanned.

Forfurtherinformationvisitwww.arundelcathedralfriends.uk;ortelephone01903 884567

byAlexClouter

Introduction

ParishPeople-Colin Swanton

ColinSwantonhasbeenwritingaboutourparishcommunitysincethepublicationofthePentecost 2007issueoftheParishProclaimer,whichwasthenundertheeditorshipofJennyEdmonds.Colin startedhisarticlesinitiallycalled‘Colin’sColumn’inthemagazineandthenthetitlechangedto ‘ParishPeople’inthePentecost2009issue,writingaboutJimandMargaretMyerscough. Jennyhaddecidedtostepdownfromherroleaseditor.IcameforwardtohelpCanonTimMadeley asheneededassistancetoproducethePentecost2009issueinitscurrentform.Iwasintroducedto thesmallgroupofparishionersinvolvedinthemagazineandthat’swhenIgottoknowColinand

becamethenexteditoroftheParishProclaimer magazine.

OnoneoccasionIaskedColinifanyoneelsehad writtenafeatureabouthim.Theanswerwas‘no’soI interviewedColinatCathedralHouseandsentthe resulttohimthefollowingday.Heapprovedthe article,anditappearedintheautumn2013edition, whichisshownopposite.

SadlyinApril2019Colinhadamini-strokebehindone eye.Withhisothereyehavingaweaksight,Colin’s visionwasnowseriouslybad.WhenIhadacallfroma parishioneraboutthisIcontactedColinandduring ourconversationhetoldmethathewouldbeunableto carryonwith‘ParishPeople’anymore.Hehas interviewedandwrittenfeatureson54parishioners. ColinSwantondiedon21stJuly2022.

ItwashightimethatwefeaturedColin Swantoninour‘ParishPeople’series, havingwritten31articlesfortheParish ProclaimermagazinesincethePentecost 2007issue.Thiswrittenpieceistheresult ofanenjoyableandfriendlychatone afternooninearlyJune2013inCathedral House.

ColinwasborninMitchamandlater–his parentsandsiblings–movedtosettlefirst inHambledonandthentoChiddingfold, Surrey.TheyattendedservicesataBaptist

chapelwhereColinattendedSunday schoolandthe‘grounding’ofhisfaith started.“Theseweremyformativeyears,” Colinexplained,“andwhenIservedmy NationalServiceinBritishHonduras(now knownasBelize)Iconvertedtothe Catholicfaith.”

ColinwasaPayCorporal,co-ordinating thesalariesofthe150soldiersinthe camp.Healsohadtheresponsibilityof collectingtheJesuitpriestforservicesat thecampandthroughmanyconversations

en-routeColinwasdrawntotheCatholicfaith.“MyfirstHolyCommunionwasatMidnightMass inChristmas1960andduringEasterthefollowingyearwasconfirmed,bothcelebrationstaking placeinBelizeCathedral,runbyJesuitpriestsfromAmerica.”

Twoyearslater,havingcompletedhisNationalServiceinAugust1961,Colinmarriedhis

sweetheart,JeanPatriciaGilbert(whoisusually knownasPat)withFatherCharlesBorellitaking theserviceatStTeresaofAvilaChurchin Chiddingfold.Itwasthoughtthattheirmarriage wastheveryfirstforthechurch.Their honeymoonwasspentatMermaidHotelinRye, EastSussex.Asthefollowingyearsrolledby, theyhadthreechildrenborntothem–Catherine,PhillipaandSam–anddecidedto adoptfourmorechildren–Stephen,Michael, ZelieandBen–allmixedrace–“aswehad plentyofroominourheartsandourhousefor more!Weweresohappythatouradopted childrenfittedsowellwithourown,sowehave happymemoriesofallsevengrowingup together,goingawayonholidaysandthelike!” ForseveralyearsPatwaseditorof‘Adoption Today’,themagazineforanadoptionsupport organisation(thenPPIAS)calledAdoptionUK, havingpreviouslyworkedforthementalhealth charityMIND.Shewasalsoapart-timeadult educationtutorandworkedinavoluntary

capacityasaliteracytutorinpostadoptionsupportworkandasamemberofadoption panels.SheandColinwerebothmembersofARC,thefundraisingorganisationfor researchintorheumatismandarthritis.

Colin’sworkwasverymuchintheplasticsindustry,involvedinsales,andasIwas writingawayduringmyinterviewwithhimforthisarticle,hewasalreadymaking commentstomeafterreadingmynoteswhilstsittingoppositeme.AsIremarkedon Colin’sspeedreadingwhilesittingoppositeme,hesaid,“Ifirstlearnedmy‘upside down’readingveryquicklywhenIwasasalesmanhavingtorunthroughthequotations forclients.ItwasessentialsothatIcouldgettheirsignatureatthebottomofthatform –atrickofthetrade!”

MuchofColin’sworkinglifewasspentattheEnglishsubsidiaryofaFrenchmachinery companycalledBillionSA.Therewasalotofcommutingbetweenthefamilyhomein WestYorkshireandtheUKsubsidiaryinMiltonKeyesandalsowhenhebecame ManagingDirectorin1995,tripstotheHQbasedinOyonnax,FranceclosetotheSwiss border.

RetiringinJune2001,itwasnotlongbeforeColinandPathadtheurgetomovebackto SurreyandSussex.TheysettleddowninanoldcottageinWalbertoninJune2005with theintentionofbeinglessbusy,aslowerpaceoflifewithpeaceandquiet.Inrealitythis didnothappen!

Colinhadspent37yearsinOtleyandthevoluntaryworkheundertookshowedthe strongdedicationhehadtomakingadifferencetotheparish.Hewaschairofthe GovernorsatStJoseph’sPrimarySchoolforsevenyearsandchairoftheParishPastoral Councilforanothersevenyears,albeitatadifferenttime.ColinwasaEucharistic Ministerforanumberofyears,aswellasbeingasacristanandawelcomer.Youcanadd tothisthenumerous‘ParishPeople’articlesfor‘WarfeTales’,aparishmagazineforOur LadyandAllSaintsCatholicChurch,solifeforColinwascertainlyfullduringhis

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Yorkshiriantimesofhislife,loyallyandunequivocallysupportedbyPatandhisextendedfamily. SoitjusthadtofollowthatafterthemovetoWalberton,ColincommencedhissupporttoArundel Cathedralbybecomingserverandasacristanin2005.HethenjoinedtheParishCommunications Teamandbeganwriting‘ParishPeople’fortheParishProclaimer.SincethenColinhastirelessly writtenmanyarticlesfortheCathedral’sparishmagazine,andhekeepsgoing!!

Asifthiswasnotenough,Colinalso‘throwshimself’intoanotherpassion,namelyphotography. Althoughthishashadtotakeabackwardstepsinceretiringforanumberofreasons,hestillgets enormouspleasureincapturingthebeautyoflandscapesaswellasthesplendourofcastles, cathedralsandchurches.Animalsandflowerstudieswerealsootherthemes.

“Ifeelblessedwithsteadyhands,”saysColin,yetanotherskilltoaddtohisupside-downreading ability!!ColinwentonaCharlieWaite(currentlyoneoftheworld’sleadinglandscape photographers)photographiccourse,toimprovehisknowledgeandskills.Hisfirstassignmentwith CharliewastotheLakeDistrictwheretheysatforthreehourstakingthesamephotographevery15 minutestocomparethedifferencelightmakestoaphotographovertime. Colinalsomanagedtosqueezemoretimeoutofhisdaysbygardening–hisownandalsoenjoying thesplendourofthoseoftheNationalTrust.InadditionheservesatSlindononaSundaymorning aswellasatSaturdayVigilMassatthePoorClaresConvent.

ColinandPatdecidedtocelebratetheirgoldenweddinganniversaryoneyearearlyattheMermaid HotelinRyeinSeptember2012–wheretheyhoneymoonedaswellascelebratedtheirsilverand rubyweddinganniversaries.Loveandromancecertainlyremainsasstrongnowasitwasbackwhen theyfirstmetin1961.WithsomuchgoingoninColin’slife–with11grandchildrenand5greatgrandchildren–thereisneveradullmomentintheSwantonfamily! TofinishwithColin’sownwords:“Ijustcan’tresistdoingsomuchinmylife.Mecompulsive…? WellI’mafraidso!”

FromColin’sdaughter,Phillipa:“Colindiedpeacefullyon21stJuly2022andheisnowreunited withhisbelovedPat.Hewillbemissedbyhischildren,grandchildrenandgreat-grandchildren, brothersandsister,carers,petsandeveryonewhoknewhim”.

Aletterfromhisdaughterandreadbyhisgranddaughteratthefuneral

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HiPops,it’sme!

WhenyougotyourdiagnosisIpromisedyouthatIcould bewithyoueverystepoftheway.Itoldyouthatyoumight forgetmebutthatIwouldneverforgetyou.Youresponded instantly“I’llneverforgetyou!”Andyouwereright.You knewusalluptoyourlastbreath. Aspecialisttoldmethatyoursightlossconformedtono knownpattern.Nothingelseaboutyoudideither. Dementiamighthavedamagedyourmindandtakenyour wordsawaybutitmagnifiedyourheartandyoursoul.It removedyourinhibitionsandwelaughedwithyoumore thaneverbefore.YoumadeuslaughDad.Alot.Iwillnever forgetyoutellingusyouwere“snuggerthanabuggerina rugger”.Orthegrinonyourfacewhenwetalkedabout whatyougotuptointhearmy.Oryouconducting‘Lilythe Pink’orhummingalongtotheDambusterstune.Or singing‘I’mtiredandIwanttogotobed’.Allthewayfrom WestSussextoYorkshire.Forapproximatelyfiveanda halfhours.Orwhenyouaskedtheladyinthecaféwhether yourwalkingstickwasanumbrellaoraflamingo.(A flamingoapparently).Soverymanyhappymemories. “Howdidyouknowwheretofindme?”youusedtosay whenIarrivedatyournursinghomeorahospitalward.I toldyouIalwaysknewwhereyouwereandthatyoujust hadtowaitformeandIwouldcome. Andyoudidwaitformethatmorning.Themorningyou tookthefinalsteponthislegofyourjourneyandItoldyou Mumhadgotabottleofroseinthefridgeforyouboth.You neverthoughtthattenpastelevenwastooearlytoopena bottle.

Thankyouforbeingyou.Thankyou forbeingsospecialtosomanypeople. Philxxx “Therearesomethingsthatdementia cannotalter.Ourloveforyouwill neverfalter.”

PhotoscourtesyoftheSwanton Family.

ByDavidMartin

AVentureofExcitementto theFleche(Spire)viathe RoofSpace..

..withinSt.PhilipNeriChurch-NowArundelCathedral

OneoftheresidentpriestsatStPhilipNeriChurch(NowArundelCathedral)duringmyearlyyears wasFatherFrederickRedding.(ParishPriest1947–1953).Aniceeasygoingmanwhohadspirit, wasgreatfunandwasalwayspreparedtohelpandassisttheCatholicyouthofthetown.Thisperiod ofhisassignmentwasofcourseimmediately,orrathersoon,aftertheendingoftheSecondWorld War.(1939/1945). Oneparticulardayduringhistenurehavingjustfinishedattendingaserviceinthechurch,myself andacoupleoffriendswerestandingchattingoutsidethepresbyteryandforsomereasonlooking uptowardstheroofandintheapproximatedirectionoftheFLECHE..Theflèchebeingthesmall “spire”situatedontheeasternendofthechurchroof..However,Icannotremembertheexact reasonastowhywewerelookingup,butthatinitselfistobecomethestartingpointofthis particulartruestory.

ThiscoincidedwithFatherReddingapproachingfromthepresbyteryandstoppingtoalsolook upwardswithus-heenquired“Whatareyoulookingatboys?Areyoubychancelookingatthe spire?”(SpirewasthewordFatherReddingusedatthetimeratherthanflèche),towhichwe replied“No,notespeciallyFather”.Fromwherewewerestandingitwasmoreorlessimpossibleto seeastowherethespirewasactuallysituated.Hethenstartedtowalkawaywithoutreplyingtoour answerwhenheturnedandcontinued“Boys…Ihaveanidea….Wouldyoureallyliketoactuallygo upandvisitthe”spire”?…….becauseifyoudoIwillseewhatIcando”.

Welookedateachotherhesitantlyforafewmomentsandthenalmostinunisonagreedbecause afterallitsoundedlikeafunbutscaryidea….

FatherReddingthendeparted.,Wechattedonamongstourselvesandstarteddiscussinghowwould

itevenbepossibletoreach the(spire)flèche..Itwas very,veryhighperchedasit wasontheverytopofthis hugemagnificentbuilding.. Welookedupagaininthe approximatedirectionof thespire,whichagainfrom wherewewereactually standingatgroundlevel, wedidnothaveaclear viewofitslocation. Suddenlywewere becomingalittle“scaredor uneasymaybe”tosaythe least……Ithinktheheight ofthispotentialescapade alonetowhichwewould havetosomehowtraverse wasbeginningtosinkin. AtthetimeIthink,ifmy memoryservesmewell,we eachthoughtnothing wouldtranspireanywayin thatpermissionwould probablyneverbegiven. ..Itwasthentimeforusto departforourindividual homes. However,Itwouldnotbe toolongbeforewegotthe answerstoanyquestions wemayhavehadasafew

Iamstillnotsuretothisdayastowhether“Official”agreementwasevergivenfor himtoundertakethisunusualventurewithusboys..,butofcourseIsincerelyhope andtrustthatFatherReddingdidnotgetintoanyformoftrouble.Thishadnow becometheACTUALdaythatwewouldattemptthisrather.,atthetime,exciting butsomewhatscaryventure.Itgoeswithoutsayingthatwewerenowbecoming slightlynervous.InfactVERYVERYnervous……….Petrified???????????

FatherReddingcontinuedbystronglyemphasisingthatduringthisentireventureit wasimperativethatwemust,atalltimes,keepveryclosetogether,holdingonvery tighttoeachotherandobeyhisinstructionswithoutquestion….Ofcoursewe respondedwithanervousbutdefinite“YesFather,wemostcertainlywill”. Hethenwentontofurtherexplainandemphasisethatwewouldbegoingintoavery darkandsomewhatpotentiallydangerousareaofthechurchandthatitwouldbein moreorlesscompleteornearcompletedarknessattimes.Hecouldnothavestressed theimportanceofoursafetymoreclearly. Wehadbynowbecomealittlemoreexcitedbutstillverynervouswithregardtothis ventureandasIrecallstillalittlescaredbutwefollowedhimratherwarilytothe entrancedoortothechoirloft(ororgangallery)onthegroundfloor.Thenuptothe choirloftandthroughanotherolddoorwhichcreakedasheturnedthekeyandwith effortslowlypusheditopen.Atthisjuncturemymemoryisnotclear.Couldthishave beentheentranceintotheNorthtower(orclocktower)?HoweverIdoremember thatwehadtothennegotiateanopenareabymeansofanumberofstepsupwards towardthebeautifulRoseWindow.(Thisopenareaisabletobeseenbetweenthe NWtowerandTheRosewindowviewedfromKingStreet.

Nowwewereabletoentertheroofareathroughanotherdoorandimmediately encounteredaverylargevoidwhichwasalmostincompletedarknessasFather Reddinghadpreviouslywarned,saveforaveryminimalamountofdaylight seeminglycomingfromthefarend.Wethenhadtobrushawayavastamountof cobwebsbeforecontinuingon.

FatherReddingeventuallyfoundanoldelectriclightswitchandalthoughthis

wereactuallykneelingonthiscentralpointwhatappearedinthedarknesstoberunningthewhole lengthoftheceilingeastwardstowardsthemainaltar.Wewerechattingverynervouslytoeach other,andFatherReddingcontinuedtopacifyournervousness.

Continuinghisinstructionsheinformedusthathewouldgofirstandweweretofollowveryslowly andcarefullybehindhimandtoholdonastightaswecouldtoeachother.Weboysthenknelt behindeachotherinlinewiththeboyinfrontholdingontoFatherRedding.Fortunately,Father Reddinghadbroughtasmalltorchwithhimwhichlitthewayimmediatelyinfrontofhimaswe veryslowlycrawledalongthisnarrowridge.Historch,attimes,alsoshowedupthevastdropat eachsideofusintothedarknessbelowandwouldcertainlyendinaseriousproblemshouldanyof usbeunluckyenoughtosliporfall.Alotofnervoustalkcontinuedbetweenusallasyoucan imagineaswethenprogressedalong.

Eventuallywereachedthelargeround(circular)openingwithintheceilingstructureoverlooking thecentralaisle(crossover)ofthechurchwhichwastosaytheleastquitedifficulttomanoeuvre around. However,weeachmanagedaveryquickandextremelynervousglancedownthroughthisopening andcarefullynegotiatedarounditandonwardstowardsthebaseoftheflèche.Imustsayatthis stagemyheartwasbeatingveryfast.Iamsureitwasthesamefortheotherboys-nervous?....YES, (very)…..Scared.?Ofcourse.Mostdefinitely.

Venturingonaveryshortdistancewehadatlastreachedtheflèchelocation.Heretherewere maybe4or5oldlittlewoodenstepsleadingupwardstowithintheflècheitself.FatherRedding madethefirstascent.Therewasonlyroomforoneboyatatimetoaccompanyhimduetothevery limitedamountofspace.Wethereforetookitinturnswitheachboyspendingaboutfiveminutes eachsurveyingthemostmagnificentviewofthewholeofArundelandsurroundingareasthrough thethenopeningswithintheflèchestructure.

Whatamostmagnificentviewofmywonderfulbirthtown.

Thereispossiblynoothercomparablevantagepoint(ApartfrommaybeTHEKEEP.inArundel

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Castle)wherethiscanbe achieved.Ofcourse,the originalflècheisnolongerin existenceasitwasreplaceda numberofyearsagowith,I believe,atotallyenclosed metalandglassfibreclad similarity. Thenitwasthentimetomake thereturnandsomewhat perilousjourneybackacross theroofspace.Thisdone, againextremelyslowly, carefullyandwithgreat nervousnessweweresoon backsafelydownandintothe churchyard. Nervouslaughterandchatter betweenusallwasforthcoming aswestartedtoreminisce.We dulythankedFatherRedding forallhiseffortsandthethrill ofthevisitandawaywewent happilyrelivingthememory. Mymotherwasdulyshocked whenIpluckedupenough couragetoinformher somewhatlateroftheescapade andittookagesforherto

actuallybelievemethatitwaseventrue.However,IknowITWAS subsequentlyconfirmedtomymotherandhopefullylikewisetomy friendsparents,atalaterdatebyFatherReddinghimselfwithan apologyforanyanxietyitmayhaveunintentionallycaused…….It wastomyknowledgeneverspokenofagain,possiblyoutofrespect forFatherReddingandalsoindeferenceofthechurchauthorityat thetime. Inconclusion,weboysmustbeamongtheminorityofpeoplewho haveeverundertakenthisparticularventure..otherthanthe originalbuildersorremedialspecialists)orareeverlikelytodoso inthefuture………. Apartfromthefactthat,asthenewflècheistotallyenclosedonall sides,therewouldbelittlereason.

Ofcourse,HealthandSafetyregulationsoftodaywould DEFINITELYnotpermitsuchanactivityandIdoubtverymuch

thatTheCathedral authorityoftoday wouldeverauthorise/ sanctionwhatmany peoplereadingthis articlewillbethinking wasaratherdangerous andmaybesomewhat foolishthingtodo. However,onreflectionI feelveryproudtohave participatedinthat venturewithmyfriends andofcourseabig thankyouagainto FatherReddingfor givingusthe opportunityandthe thrilloftheexperience. Awonderfulman indeed…………Butthen

thatwassome70oddyearsago………. Footnote: THECHURCH/CATHEDRALBELL Asapointofinterestatthetimeofourventureandforsomeconsiderabletimeafter,THE CHURCHBELLitselfwasoperatedmanuallybymeansofalongropeattachedsomehowtothe bellmechanismitself.TheropebeingsecuredandattachedtoapillaratgroundlevelwithinThe

ByMelindaHeathcote

byBetsyVernon

ReconciliationandFirst

HolyCommunion–SacramentalPreparations infamilyledsessions

OurCathedralReconciliationand FirstHolyCommunionfamilyled sessions,startedinNovemberforthe latestintakeofyoungchildren(aged7 to9)followingthepreparation programmealongwiththeirparents whoattendeachsession.Wefollow thediocesanprogrammeGrowingUp Catholicgrowingupcatholic.com) whichhasmanyonlineresourcesand evenregular,encouragingmessages fromPopeFrancis. Thereare2setsof6sessions–one forReconciliationandtheotherfor FirstHolyCommunionplusavisitto thePoorClares’Conventinthe summerbeforetheymaketheirFirst CommunioninMayandthenleadthe CorpusChristiprocessioninJune withtheircommunionbreakfastand GoingForthMassinlateJune.The

grouphaveanumberofFirstHolyCommunionSundayMasseswherethe9.15amChoir singandthechildrengouptothealtarforCanonDavid’sHomily.Lookoutfortheir photographsandpleaseprayforthemandtheirfamilies.Thereare15familiesinvolvedthis year. Itisverymuchafamilyaffairwiththeparents,oradultfamilymembers(sometimes grandparents)supportingtheiryoungchild(ren),ontheirspiritualjourneynowand throughoutthecomingyear.

ThegroupmeetapproximatelyonceamonthsupportedbythreeexperiencedCatechists, CarmelMorison,StephanieHawkeyandBetsyVernon,wholeadstheprogramme.Betsy says,“itiswonderfuleachyeartoseethechildrengrowanddeveloptheirknowledgeand understandingoftheirfaith.Itisatimealsofortheirparent(s)torevisittheirsandjourney

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withtheirchild(ren)together”.InFebruary,ChildrenmaketheirFirstConfessionata ReconciliationServiceandanopenconfessionwheretheirparentstakethemuptoCanonDavid andavisitingpriest,introducingtheirchildandJunetheirFirstHolyCommunion–sucha memorabledayandweknowyouallcanrelatetothatwhenyoumadeyourFirstHoly Communion. CanonDavidisinvolvedthroughouttheyearwithhisverydowntoearthandpragmaticapproach tosupportingtheyoungpeople’sandtheirfamilies’spiritualjourney.Itisarealteamapproach

supportedgreatlybyLouise(cathedralsecretary),Mike(caretaker)andJenny,his wifewhosuppliesrosaries,booksandbiblestousewitheachyeargroup.The 9.15amMass’MusicGroupwithMonicaCliftonandPatd‘Avrayonthepianoand organ(shealsoplaysattheReconciliationService).

TwoParishCelebrations

byBetsyVernon

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!

Father’sDay

Amulti-colouredchoiceofsinglerosesaregivenoutbythechildrenattheendofthe9.15am Mass,tomarkFather’sDay.Thisgivesusallagreatopportunitytocelebratetheloveand affectionwehaveforourdadsandgentlemenoftheparish. TheCathedralCentrewaftswiththearomaoffryingbaconastheovenpreparesBacon Buttieswithsaucesandrelishes,readytobeservedtothemenfolkbytheladiesofthe parish.Allwasheddownwithampleproportionsoffruitjuice,teaandcoffeetosatisfyall whositdowntotheplace-settings,alongadecoratedlongtabledownthecentreofthehall.

byLouise Sharp

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

BAPTISMS

MARRIAGES

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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