Catholic News
Around 600 people across Nottingham Diocese gathered for Mass to celebrate the Jubilee of Young People and Universities
Bishop McKinney preached about the life of St John Henry Newman, who was declared a Doctor of the Church on November 1st.
Hundreds of young people across Nottingham Diocese, gathered for Mass to celebrate the Jubilee of Young People and Universities on the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, at St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham.
Mass was celebrated by Bishop Patrick McKinney at 6pm on Sunday November 23rd.
Among them were representatives from the Diocesan Youth Service, and the chaplaincies of Nottingham Trent University, the University of Nottingham,
University and Lincoln University.
As well as being the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday was also World Youth Sunday and so readings, bidding prayers, the offertory, music and Eucharistic ministry were all facilitated by university students.
During his homily, Bishop McKinney preached about the life of St John Henry Newman, who was declared a Doctor of the Church on November 1st by Pope Leo XIV. Bishop McKinney reflected on the saint’s reminder that we are all called to some
“definite service” and encouraged those present to consider how they are called to serve God.
During the Mass, prayer cards were handed out featuring a recent portrait of Saint John Henry Newman which was gifted to Cardinal Vincent Nichols, on his 80th birthday.
The prayer card featured the following quote from the saint: “God has created me to do some definite service; he has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my
mission- I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next.”
The prayer card then concluded with the following questions: What is God asking of me today? What graces do I need to pray for God’s work? What fears are stopping me from doing what God asks of me?
Following the Mass refreshments were organised and served by young people in the cathedral hall, in honour of the Jubilee.
Read more about a new Youth initiative to support parishes on page 4.
Loughborough
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The Mood of Christmas
We are about to take our first steps on our journey through 2026. January, named after the Roman god Janus is a time for reflection on what has passed and hope for what is to come.
Soon Christmas will be over and we will have celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most will have enjoyed a time of festivity, celebration and enjoyment. However, for some the new year will continue to bring challenges, hardship and difficulty.
The SVP will approach 2026 like every other year, facing all challenges that come its way. Members will know that whilst Christmas and the New Year offer some extra respite to those in need with raised levels of effort and support, January and beyond can be likened to the time ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’.
This extract taken from ‘The Mood of Christmas’ by Howard Thurman offers an excellent example of why the work of the SVP never ends.
When the song of angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost.
To heal the broken.
To feed the hungry.
To release the prisoner.
To rebuild the nations.
To bring peace among nations.
To make music in the heart.
Frankly Speaking
SVP members will be looking back on what they have done and achieved in the past 12 months and will then be looking forward to how they can continue to support those in need, such as those referred to in Howard Thurman’s narrative. Each conference will be looking to make a difference to those in need in their locality and would appreciate your continuing support in 2026 in the following ways:
1. Join the conference in your parish, or start up a conference if your parish does not have one.
2. Donate to the SVP to support the work they do.
3. Pray for the SVP and the work they do.
Should you require further details about any of the above please contact Joe Gasan, our Membership Support Officer at joeg@svp.org.uk
May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and fulfilling 2026.
By Frank Goulding
did in playing a significant role in Christ’s ministry.
The first Sunday in Advent this year coincided with the day when we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, The Patron Saint of Scotland was a follower of John the Baptist and became the “First Called” Apostle with his brother Simon known as Peter as they left their fishing nets to follow Jesus.
When Saint Pope John Paul visited Scotland in 1982 he cited the familiar story of the loaves and fishes. The Pope said “Saint Andrew gave Jesus all that was available to feed those five thousand people and still had something left over.” More words were added which are surely relevant today. The then Pontiff said, “It is exactly the same with your own lives, you feel conscious and afraid of the future.”
The then future Saint John Paul urged the congregation at the National Shrine of Saint Andrew to follow Jesus as Andrew
Just prior to Advent, two rather significant occurrences made a deep impression with our news reporting and perhaps social media. The first being the Budget. One comment was simply that households face a “truly dismal” increase in living standards over the next five years. This was not what we wanted to hear just four weeks before Christmas Day. The reference I made to the loaves and fishes incorporated the compassion needed and put into practice by both Saint Andrew and into words every time when we pray the Lord’s Prayer. Perhaps we missed out on compassion in at least some reaction from our politicians to the recent Budget.
The second very notable Advent news story saw Pope Leo visiting Türkiye and Lebanon which is on going as this article is written.
to mark an important anniversary with the long suffering Christians and those of all faiths in Lebanon. In a year of at least controversial world leadership the Pope lamented “the high number of conflicts with humanity’s future at risk”. Türkiye has around 86 million Muslims but in his first visit outside Italy since his election in May the Pope reminded the world that “we are all children of God”.
I have no doubt during Advent many acts of kindness will have occurred in our lives but as we look forward to 2026 let us not forget those who live in genuine poverty of the homeless. Those who work at Christmas to keep us safe are special too.
A Peaceful Christmas wish to all readers.
Pope Francis had planned this pilgrimage
The Festive Spirit
“It is required of every man ... that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow man ...”
On Thursday 4th December in the parish hall at St Hugh’s Church, the people of Lincoln were offered a spiritual boost for their Advent and Christmas preparations, through a dramatised reading of the Charles Dickens classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ in which, over the course of one night the main character, Scrooge, is visited by four ghosts, resulting in his conversion and gratitude for the chance, whilst he still has time, to make amends. A cast of over twenty individuals (including parishioners and non-parishioners) from across the city and beyond, came together on the night for the performance, with positive feedback received from the audience. There was a festive spirit to the evening, which not only brought community together but also gave a timely reminder of our ongoing need of reflection, repentance and renewal, alongside an opportunity to ‘walk abroad among our fellow man’ by a monetary collection for the food bank of a nearby Catholic secondary school (St Peter & St Paul Academy) which held hopes to create Christmas hampers for over thirty local families in need.
Many thanks go to Mike and his wife, Ruth, parishioners of St Hugh’s Church, for both
the idea and all their time and work organising the event, as well as to everyone who supported it. As we now look to the unfolding of a new year, with all its uncertainties, may we echo Tiny Tim and together pray “God bless us, every one!”.
Growing and Equipping Parish Youth Ministry
This January the Diocesan Youth Service is launching a new initiative to support parishes
This January the Diocesan Youth Service is launching a new initiative to support parishes to develop local youth ministry provision in response to our recent review. As we sought to answer the questionWhat do we want for the young people of the diocese of Nottingham? - the need to support youth ministry at a grassroots level became evident from listening to stakeholders.
In direct response to this we are launching two complementary initiatives:
1. The Bethsaida Training course to equip volunteers to begin local youth ministry initiatives
2. A regular Network Meeting to support, encourage and share good practice amongst volunteers
The Bethsaida course is the training programme designed to enable volunteers to gain the tools and knowledge to begin parish youth ministry in their community. Bethsaida is a tried and tested resource developed in a neighbouring diocese where it has successfully supported volunteers and led to the opening of over 60 parish youth groups. As we launch this exciting
initiative in the diocese of Nottingham we are praying for the same fruitfulness in our parishes.
The course consists of a series of workshops combined with practical experience of youth work in your parish or deanery. Sessions include;
- Called to a definite service
- Creating an engaging youth programme
- Sharing our faith
- Group work and leadership
- Creating a safe environment
We are launching the training in person at the Briars on the 31st of January (13.0016.00), which is also the feast of Don Bosco patron Saint of young people. There will then be 4 online sessions to complete the 5 week training course. Subsequent sessions will take place online on Tuesday 3rd February, Tuesday 10th February, Tuesday 24th February and the course will complete on Tuesday 3rd March.
Each of the sessions lasts for two hours via zoom during this 5 week training course in youth ministry where participants will be led by experienced professionals to grow in
knowledge and skills that they can take back to their parish. Participants of this training course will need to complete the usual Diocesan protocol for volunteers working with young people including a DBS before beginning their work with young people.
From: Elston Hermitage…….....
A Very Happy New Year 2026 to you all from The Hermitage of Our Lady & Saint Benedict here at Elston. We pray that God will shower you and your loved ones with many blessings and graces in this New Year.
The Church celebrates New Year’s Day in a special way by honouring Mary as the Mother of God. But Mary is not just the Mother of God she is our Mother as well. And as the Catechism teaches us, because Mary is our Mother, she is also our “Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix” (CCC.969)
Not all of us have mothers, spiritual or otherwise, to guide us in our faith. But we all have Mary, the perfect spiritual mother. Through her prayers of intercession, she continues to care for us.
Through her example in the Scriptures and her message in places like Lourdes, Fatima and closer to home Walsingham, she teaches us to reflect on the Word of God. And through her motherly love, she is always ready to embrace us and draw us closer to her Son. Truly she is Blessed among women - and we are blessed to have her.
We know that Mary herself pondered and treasured everything that came from God. (Luke 3:19) She dwelt on what the
shepherds told her. She also pondered and treasured Gabriel’s visit at the Annunciation. She pondered and treasured how the Magi were led to the manger by God’s star. She pondered and treasured what the young Jesus said when they found he had stayed behind to teach the elders in the Temple.
So right at the beginning of this New Year let us try to see how Mary is asking us to take time to ponder daily on who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Imagine Mary asking us to treasure him above everything else. Take a look at Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) this prayer shows how much Mary loved to praise and glorify God.
Let us try and see in this New Year how Mary is asking us to join with her in praising God with all our hearts. Imagine her inviting us to dedicate the first affections of our hearts to Jesus, by rejoicing in him, singing to him and worshipping him.
Mary is not only our Mother, she is our prayer partner as well!
So let’s join her today and pray, our own Magnificat.
Jesus, let my soul magnify you! Let my spirit rejoice in your salvation.
By Fr David + h.d.n. Priest
Image: Juan Carlos Leva:
To find out more please register your interest by scanning the QR code below.
Altar Servers are doing the Nottingham Cathedral proud
The zeal and passion of Clem, a seasoned altar server himself, has nurtured and guided the altar servers at the Nottingham Cathedral by a programme of monthly meetings in the Cathedral Hall. These meetings included instruction on all matters concerning their roles while serving at the weekend Holy Masses as well as special instruction given for assistance at the Bishop Holy Masses. It is evident that they have made great progress’s in all these matters, wonderful attendance at all our Masses, understanding why they do what they do and working and supporting each other along the way. Clem has introduced fun Quizzes to challenge their learning. The final Quiz took place on Saturday 29 November. The altar servers received an encouraging video message from Bishop Patrick prior to the event.
A wonderful afternoon supported by Deacon David, refreshments of pizzas and nibbles, a lot of fun was had by all as the six teams battled it out.
We look forward to inviting our newly trained servers to the feast of St Stephen’s Holy Mass on the 26 December to receive their medals and certificates. All of this has been made possible by the amazing support of the their parents, to whom we are very grateful. If you would like to join
Clem and his team (Emmanuel and Gabriel) please see the posters on the Cathedral noticeboard for further details.
Submitted on behalf of the Nottingham Cathedral
Scripture Focus
By Fr Jeremy Corley
New Beginnings
The New Year is a time for new beginnings, so it is fitting for us to celebrate the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism on Sunday 11th January.
Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist marks the start of his public ministry, while our own baptism marks the beginning of our Christian life. Recalling these events can give us fresh energy as we begin the New Year.
In the first reading for the feast, the prophet Isaiah announces the coming of a saving leader, but the emphasis is on gentle service rather than brute force. As the prophet tells us, God describes this figure as “my chosen one, in whom my soul delights.” He is empowered by God’s Spirit to bring justice, not just to the people of Israel but to other nations as well.
What is unusual about this leader is his quiet way of behaving—he does not lift up his voice or shout loudly. Instead,
his gentleness is seen when he takes care not to break a crushed reed or to snuff out a dimly burning candle. This leader will become a light to the nations, bringing prisoners out of their dungeons.
Within biblical history, the prophet was addressing the demoralised Jewish exiles in Babylon, offering them hope. Before long, the Persian king Cyrus would come and set them free, allowing them to return to the Holy Land and rebuild their lives. But the Church sees a deeper meaning in Isaiah’s prophecy, pointing ahead to the coming of Christ.
At the time of Jesus, the Jewish people were still under the rule of an alien power, now the Romans. Many were looking for a political leader to save them from foreign domination. John the Baptist announced that God was going to send a mighty Saviour, and so he called the sinful people to prepare by being baptised.
But when Jesus arrived, he did not begin by making a great noise or a massive show of force. Instead, he queued up with the other people waiting for baptism. Even when John the Baptist tried to dissuade him, he insisted that he needed to unite himself with the other sinful people being baptised—as he would later do on the cross.
Only at the end of the baptism did the divine approval become visible. Yes, Jesus was indeed God’s Servant, sent to bring justice to the nations by first uniting himself with sinners. He was demonstrably filled with the Spirit, who descended on him like a dove, and in this way, God publicly acknowledged him as his beloved Son. It was evident that he was the chosen one, in whom God was delighted.
From now on, Jesus would begin his mission to bring light to the whole world. He would open the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually, and bring freedom to those imprisoned by their sins.
As we recall Jesus’ baptism, we are reminded of our own baptism, when we became God’s children, able to address God as our Father. In baptism and confirmation, we were filled with the power of God’s Spirit, to enable us to live our Christian lives. We were empowered to play our part in bringing justice to the world.
Like the servant described by Isaiah, Jesus’ way was one of gentleness. He did not bring destruction but rather hope and renewal. He showed us that the meek and gentle will inherit the earth.
As we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, we are invited once again to say yes to the grace of our own baptism, whether or not we remember the actual ceremony. We have received the gift of becoming God’s beloved children—let us pray for the grace to live like Jesus, our elder Brother.
Funeral Services
St Peter & St Paul’s church, Lincoln, annual Christmas Fayre
The Lord High Sherrif of Lincolnshire, Mr. David Chambers, opened St Peter & St Paul’s (SSPP) church, Lincoln, annual Christmas Fayre on the Saturday of the first week of Advent 2025, hosted by Canon Geoffrey Hunton.
Overall planning and execution by Claire Baker with each stall organised and hosted by numerous members of the congregation who generously donated their time and energy to make everyone feel welcome. The Fayre ran for three sessions before and after masses and was open to the local community.
The instant reward stalls were very popular – the chocolate raffle and bottle stalls being favourites.
Many came to do a bit of early Christmas shopping from the donated items stall sticked with every imaginable goodie from jewellery to decorative items and brandnamed toiletries.
Many new and pristine pre-loved toys were donated and there were lots of bargains to be had as well as keeping Santa happy in the knowledge toys had been treasured before being sent on to new homes for a good cause.
Santa was in attendance in person much to the delight of everyone, a lot of hard work and imagination went into creating a magical grotto where he felt at home to welcome the children.
SSPP’s Crafty Crafters impressed shoppers with an array of unique and limited edition handmade gifts – everything from bookmarks, to scented candles, scarves and shawls to Christmas decorations, toys and ceramic mugs.
Students from St Peter & St Paul’s High School also offered and impressive array of handcrafted Christmas decorations and in spirational decorative items.
Home baked patisserie was available courtesy of the Polish ladies whose festive cakes sold out rapidly! For those who couldn’t wait until getting home, there was space to sit and enjoy, with tea or coffee in the snug!
Proceedings were concluded with two raffles: the much anticipated Grand Parish raffle, items kindly donated by members of the church, with rounds of applause and congratulations for each lucky winner.
Finally, the Crafty Crafters Raffle: a hand knit and crochet Noah’s Ark complete with animals, ark and Noah and his wife (1st prize), knitted Nativity (2nd prize) and crocheted angel (3rd prize).
Everyone was delighted when the winner donated the first prize to the primary/ junior school – an early Christmas present!
Lord High Sherrif of Lincolnshire, Mr David Chambers and Canon Geoffrey Hunton
Almost ready to open!
The ever-popular bottle and chocolate stalls
Santa in his grotto
Images: L Roberts
Knitted Nativity and handmade stable!
By Dr Jay Kettle-Williams
My paternal grandfather’s party trick when I was barely a toddler was to sit me on his knee, to hold my arms firmly and to give the order: ‘Hold your horses well in hand, the battery’s going to trot!’ He’d then bounce me gently up and down. The next command was to ‘Hold your horses well in hand, the battery’s going to canter!’ and the bounce and rhythm would intensify. Then, with the final command - ‘Hold your horses well in hand, the battery’s going to gallop!’ - all Hell would break loose and I’d be flying up and down giggling madly as my Grandmother looked on, feigning disapproval as she tuttered.
Well, I’ve ridden a horse, the real equine brute of a vehicle, only twice in my life: once in Spain and once in South America. On both occasions the beasts, strangely beloved of so many, bolted. The experience at my grandfather’s knee must have put me in good stead, especially when it came to the gallop: Hang on! Subsequently in life, I suppose I could have developed my horsemanship to better effect, if I had persevered.
Perseverance is a valuable quality and one I greatly admire. That’s no more so than among those who do not bear witness to their Christian faith in that mealy-mouthed way I attribute to myself but who stand up, go forth and publicly respond forcibly to the Christian challenge.
Among those whom I acknowledge in this regard are members of those ordinariates which were ushered in by Pope Benedict XVI on 4 November 2009 in his Anglicanorum Coetibus, the apostolic constitution establishing ‘ordinariates’ for former Anglicans who wanted full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of their prayer and heritage.
A recent report has found that more than one third of clergy ordained in England and
Wales over the last three decades (19922024) are former Anglican clergy. The report explores the staggering statistic of the journey from the Anglican priesthood to, not only the Catholic Church, but the Catholic priesthood.
That report, compiled by the St Barnabas Society, which provides support to Catholic clergy who have converted, was led by Stephen Bullivant, a professor of theology and the sociology of religion at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, in southwest London.
It turns out that some 700 former clergy and religious from the Anglican Church (Church of England, Church in Wales, or Scottish Episcopal Church) have converted to the Catholic Church since 1992. The research shows that this number includes 16 former Anglican bishops, the overall ‘surge’ being partly driven by the Anglican move to ordain women in the Church of England.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, said he was glad to understand more about ‘the movement of clergy from the Church of England into full communion with the Catholic Church in recent times’. But he was hesitant about the word ‘convert’ used in some quarters, pointing out that St Paul did not ‘convert’ from Judaism to Christianity, rather that he ‘did not so much renounce his Jewish upbringing and practice as go beyond it, into something he understood to be its completion’.
Such ‘completion’ [sic] then brings two issues firmly to the fore: The ordination of women to the priesthood; Celibacy.
On the former point, many argue that social mores have changed dramatically since the times of Jesus. They propose it’s now high time to update certain practices of old. To settle that ongoing debate about women’s
ordination and to reaffirm the Church’s long-standing tradition, Pope John Paul II stated on the May 22 1994 in the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis to all bishops of the Catholic Church that the Catholic Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women. To this day that document remains among the most cited documents about gender and ministry in the Catholic Church.
On the latter point, I well remember one priest’s announcement that Catholic priests have no option but to accept celibacy, whether they like it or not. Not that he put it in so many words. However, at that point his audience fell immediately and embarrassedly silent. But then all present, including the priest himself, burst into raucous laughter at the turn of phrase he had used to stress the point he was making.
I leave it to you, dear Reader, to wrestle with the conundrum as to what were the actual words uttered by the priest and which, after a moment’s hesitation, prompted widespread mirth.
Of all the charisms granted us, let’s never forget our sense of humour.
Notes, Acknowledgements and Attribution: Accompanying image (Statue with Blowing Horn) after the sculpture Exultate Jubilate by Philip Jackson; Texts/References adapted and/or adopted from http://en.wikipedia.org under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionShareAlike License 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/4.0/
St Mary’s Derby ACN Apostles interview Bishop
John Bakeni from Nigeria
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Apostles were privileged to be able to
Along with other ACN School Apostles they asked Bishop John questions to learn more about what life is like for many Christians in Nigeria.
It can be a dangerous and volatile area to live and work. Attacks on Christians are a daily reality, and he has witnessed explosions near to where he lives. Women and children are in particular danger, and at one point schools had to be closed due to the conflict. Malnutrition and hunger are a part of life for many. Shockingly between 2009 and 2024 200 Catholic churches were
destroyed. Christians are also discriminated against in areas such as jobs.
Just before the interview, Bishop John had been told of an attack on Christians, a number of people had died including children.
We can help with our prayers and donations. Prayer is like a shield he told the children.
Things were very different when Bishop John was growing up in Nigeria, life was more peaceful. The last 20 years have seen severe conflict and terrorism, with bandits taking control in some areas.
The Nigerian people remain strong in their faith. The Church does its best to look after displaced children and families.
The enemy are the terrorists, bandits and extremists that prevent Christians and Muslims in Nigeria from living in a peaceful environment. Sadly these people have no respect for life.
The St Mary’s Apostles will be taking part in this year’s National Red Wednesday live broadcast for Primary schools, and enjoyed learning a Jubilee song of hope that will be played alongside other schools’”
Fran Hazel Lay Chaplain
interview Bishop John Bakeni from North Eastern Nigeria via video link.
Parent's spectacular Christmas lights display to raise money for children's primary school
Christmas came early to a street in Derby with one resident creating a spectacular festive lights display to raise money for his children’s local primary school.
Trevor Wright has adorned his front garden and house in Barrett Street, off Harvey Road in Alvaston, with up to 35 different decorations made up of thousands of LED lights – including an illuminated UFO.
Money raised from donations will go towards work funded by the Parent Teachers and Friends Association at St John Fisher Catholic Voluntary Academy in Alvaston.
Mr Wright is an active member of the PTFA and although he has been putting up elaborate Christmas lights at his home for over 10 years now, this is the first time that he has decided to use them to raise money.
He said: “This is the first time we’ve started to collect donations. As I’m part of the PTFA I spoke to them and Mr Lobb, who is the Headteacher at St John Fisher, and asked if they would allow us to collect for the school. The PTFA supports lots of projects at the school. We’ve got plans for a sandpit on the field and Mr Lobb would like a large shed for storage. We also part fund things like the hoodies for Year 6 leavers and we help out with discos, the Year 6 leavers’ event and a tuck shop.
“I started putting up the Christmas lights about 10 to 12 years ago and since then the display has got bigger every year. I have three children, aged eight, seven and one and they love the lights. My neighbours love them too, everyone gets involved. We get people asking us in October when the lights are going to go up and the reaction is always amazing. I was buying lights for this year’s display before Christmas last year.
I’ve not even started on the decorations inside yet, I decorate every room, even the bathroom.
“I don’t think I have a favourite decoration but this year we do have an inflatable UFO. I don’t know if I love Christmas but I love the reaction that we get to the lights.”
Graham Lobb, Headteacher at St John Fisher, said: “We are really lucky to have an active and supportive PTFA. The lights that Mr Wright and his family share on their house are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit early. The fact they are using this to support the school is fabulous and we are very grateful.”
Under the spotlight
Regrettably for millions of Christians around the world, in countries where religious freedoms are not respected, living under the spotlight is part of every day life, with restrictions, imprisonment and death ever present dangers. St Peter & St Paul Church, in Lincoln, has used 2025 as a year for putting the global crisis that is Christian persecution under the spotlight, albeit with a positive intent, that of hoping to raise awareness and inspire action. It is an issue that appears to be close to the heart of Pope Leo XIV, who has frequently spoken of it since being elected in May. The two other Catholic churches in the city have also shined a light on the issue, be it through displaying maps highlighting the worst countries for the persecution of Christians, encouraging parishioners to pray, asking parishioners to sign an ACN petition and by a dedicated Holy Hour offered up on Red Wednesday.
At St Peter & St Paul Church starting in January, a display was put up in the church, changing frequently, to highlight the issue and provide information on some of the countries most affected, together with possible prayer resources. This was coupled with a series of events. In Lent, a pilgrimage walk from Bardney Abbey to Lincoln was offered up for the Christians in Gaza and followed a few days later by a silent Stations of the Cross. A prayer session based on testimonies of persecuted Christian women then took place in the run up to Pentecost. More recently, during Red Week (a global campaign organised each November by ACN for showing solidarity, raising awareness and encouraging action) parish priest, Canon Geoffrey, spoke of the issue during homilies and a coffee morning for Aid to the Church in Need (ACN is an aid organisation within the Catholic Church) was held after Mass on the opening Sunday. Whilst on Red Wednesday, where
churches, buildings and monuments are lit up red (another ACN initiative), a candle was burnt, in remembrance, before the altar at morning Mass. A parishioner organised an autumnal walk that day, taking in Temple Bruer, home to the Knights Templar Preceptory Tower (the Knights Templar were a Catholic military order founded, in the twelfth century, to protect Christians travelling on pilgrimage to the Holy Land). Temple Bruer was a valuable reminder, having focused on the persecution of Christians throughout the year, of the Crusades and of the need to remember violence committed against members of other religions. Finally, the Fundraising Circle of Friends, a parishioner group who organise events in the parish, made a donation to ACN, as one of the charities they supported, from the money raised throughout the year.
Christian persecution (and loss of religious freedom in general) is on the increase worldwide and there are signs of its resurgence in Europe, with France most affected to date. Where persecution is experienced, renewal usually accompanies it. Whether related or not, a spiritual renewal appears to be taking place in France, as well as the rest of Europe, especially among young people and has even been reported on in the mainstream media. Hopefully the testimonies of those suffering for the faith can inspire a renewal for each of us in our own faith, so that our lives can be a spotlight of their own, revealing God for others, proclaiming with our suffering brother and sisters in Christ ‘et lux in tenebris lucet’ and taking steps to assist those suffering. One such step could be to sign the ACN petition: https://acninternational.org/petition/ May we pray, too, for religious freedoms to be respected across the earth and for peace for all people. Jo
You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same.
CRYPTIC Across
5 Sports two letters from Paul (11)
7 Log all chocolate that's eaten around Christmas? (4)
8 Naive can, strangely to medieval Schoolmen, be an influence (8)
9 Building that appeals for Indian ruler to 'go back in time' in retrospective (7)
11 This kind of hell hole's diabolical (5)
13 Levi's sister's anger initially follows row with husband (5)
14 Golden premier of chap being inducted into a mysterious religion (7)
16 Note a retrogressive toilet's showy façade: a parable that highlights greed (4,4)
17 No union, no strike' letters initially given to women with habits (4)
18 Bernstein, or alternative name for the Premonstratensians (11)
CRYPTIC Down
1 He composed a tune ultimately the navy embraced (4)
2 Key number among Poles eroded benefice's income (7)
3 Some in macho Irish group getting vocal when together (5)
4 Horse old Persian tracks to a town fortified by Rehoboam (8)
5 Means of executing Rugby's capacity to bind individual's attachment to one across? (11)
6 Solomon's greatest hit? Perhaps not... (4,2,5)
10 ...Eucharistic Prayer heard in Athens maybe a rap Noah composed (8)
12 Abbot's story is written up following Rector's recording outside (7)
15 She was unfaithful to OT chap; married an all-round raver (5)
17 All over English meet with French negativity, which produces zilch (4)
QUICK Across
5 Either of two books of the NT (11)
7 Archaic term for Christmas from a 12-day heathen festival (4)
8 Muslim philosopher who influenced the medieval Schoolmen... (8)
9 ...and a pillar of Islam? (7)
11 Word appearing in the OT meaning the underworld or place for departed souls (5)
13 Daughter of Jacob and Leah (5)
14 Ancient Greek set of religious beliefs associated with Hades (7) 16 A ---- ----: parable appearing in Luke (4,4)
17 Females who have taken their final vows (4)
18 Alternative name for members of the Premonstratensian Order (11)
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1 Composer of two oratorios, but more famously Rule Britannia (4)
4 Town fortified by Rehoboam for which Micah prophesied disaster (8)
5 Means of Christ's death as recorded by all four evangelists (11)
6 OT anthology of love poems, alternatively called 'Canticles' in some Bibles (4,2,5)
10 Word in the Eastern Church which equates to the Eucharistic Prayer (8)
12 High-ranking ecclesiastic (7) 15 Hosea's unfaithful wife (5)
17 The last of the 'Little Hours' of the Divine Office (4)
SOLUTION
2 First year's revenue of an ecclesiastical benefice, passed to the Crown in 1535 and abolished in 1926 (7)
3 Part of a church containing the seats of the clergy (5)
Across: 5 Corinthians, 7 Yule, 8 Avicenna, 9 Minaret, 11 Sheol,
13 Dinah, 14 Orphism, 16 Rich fool, 17 Nuns, 18 Norbertines.
Down: 1 Arne, 2 Annates, 3 Choir, 4 Mareshah, 5 Crucifixion,
6 Song of Songs, 10 Anaphora, 12 Prelate, 15 Gomer,
17 None.