Catholic Post February 2024 Web Final

FEBRUARY 2024

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Edition 26

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Following Fr Brown

Peace is a collective responsibility

Mary Ward for Saint

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page 7

page 12

St Blaise, 3rd February

Eight children from the parish of Gaza receive First Holy Communion

Eight children from the parish of Gaza receive First Holy Communion

lpj.org

The war has not prevented divine graces from happening On Sunday, January 7th, 2024, on the Feast Day of the Baptism of the Lord, also known as Theophany, Fr. Yousef, Vicar priest of the Latin parish of Gaza, administered the sacrament of

First Holy Communion to eight children of the parish after completing their preparation program and education, despite the war.

During the past three months, the Sacraments of the Church continued to be given in the Holy Family Church of Gaza, noting that the Sacrament of Baptism was also recently given to a child.

ability to open a private production room to produce the special bread (the host), which is used during Mass. Cardinal Pierbattista, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has formerly expressed the strength and steadfast faith demonstrated by the parishioners of Gaza, which he has witnessed during his check-up calls to those taking refuge in the monastery.

The war has not prevented divine graces from happening. We have previously witnessed their

We note, from the images shared on the parish Facebook page, that the parish of Gaza

continued to celebrate daily Mass. Many of those who are sick have been taking refuge in the walls of the church, which also enables them to receive the Church’s Sacraments daily.

We continue to pray for our people in Gaza so that God would give them strength and patience during these tough times. And we continue to plead for a cease-fire and hope for a comprehensive plan of peace and justice to take place.

Page 2. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

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ARTICLES TO: The Catholic Post email: editor@catholicpost.co.uk or davidl@cathcom.org Please send articles for publication by email, supplying any photos separate to the text We welcome contributions Here are answers to some basic questions about writing for The Catholic Post How long should articles be?

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While Jesus (and the Church) teaches the necessity of baptism for salvation, if it is celebrated without acceptance and commitment, then what would be the point?

As I write this we have just celebrated Christmas and I’m sure amongst the gifts you were given there may well have been one or two you really wish you hadn’t been. If they couldn’t be exchanged at the shop where they were bought, they’ll have been hidden away in the back of a drawer or a cupboard somewhere until a jumble sale comes along.

But before you get rid of them, don’t forget to make sure that the people who gave them to you aren’t going to want to see you using them because once they’re gone, they’re gone.

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It’s the same with faith. Faith is a gift from God. Some people delight in the gift and use it constantly. Some have forgotten they were given it and it now remains neglected in a drawer. Others have deliberately hidden their gift at the back of a cupboard out of sight and out of mind – but one day God is going to come visiting and it may be too late then to remember where they put it. But in any case it would be a waste of time because he knows that it hasn’t seen the light of day since he gave it to them.

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It would be helpful to remind ourselves of what the Second Vatican Council said in its document Lumen Gentium: Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which people enter through Baptism as through a door (para 14)

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Baptism admits into membership of the body of Christ. While Jesus (and the Church) teaches the necessity of baptism for salvation, if it is celebrated without acceptance and commitment, then what would be the point?

It would be like carrying around a membership card to a club or organisation just for the sake of it, but without any commitment to, or involvement in, the club and its facilities.

The body of Christ is nourished by the Eucharist which is “the source and summit of the Christian life. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church. It is the sum and summary of our faith”. Most importantly the Eucharist is a communal experience, “celebrated amid the assembly of the faithful, the visible expression of the Church”. It’s a manifestation of our belonging to the Church and, therefore, to the body of Christ. We are constantly filled and refilled with that to which we belong, and therefore the Eucharist has to be a regular part of our spiritual and sacramental life because it is, quite literally, vital (life-giving).

So what about all those empty seats in church – where are all those people?

We are reminded of the gospel story of the rich young man (Mt 19 v 16-22) who asked Jesus the question “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”, but he didn’t like the answer he received because it required more of him than he was willing to give. Sadly this has happened to so many who have fallen away from the practice of their faith because, from their perspective at least, what was required of them in terms of unwrapping and using God’s gift of faith was more than they were willing to give. I suspect that many in that situation wouldn’t see it quite that way. They would find other excuses, typically involving priests they didn’t like, or things priests said that they didn’t like, or things the Church taught that they didn’t like.

The thing is, though, they (or their parents on their behalf) asked to be baptised and so be admitted to the body of Christ. Over the years, what have they done to nurture the gift of faith, or is it sadly more a case of what they haven’t done?

It’s the same for all of us. Through our admission into the Church, the body of Christ, the means to our salvation are laid out before

us like a theological flat-pack, but it’s a waste if we are not prepared to put the pieces together and use it the way it is meant to be used – for our salvation. Of course, just how we put it together will be an important factor, especially if we don’t follow the instructions.

You know what it’s like with flat-packs, the diagram is never very clear, nor are the instructions. The gift of faith comes with as many instructions as we need and in whatever language we want (if we have the trust and humility to follow them). If for some reason we do still get into difficulties, prayer is our helpline and it’s open 24hours-a-day, 7 days-aweek, 52 weeks of the year.

How can we take care of the gift; how can we keep it at its best? Basically it’s one of those “use it or lose it” situations. We need to nourish it through the word of God and the Eucharist, strengthening it with God’s grace.

We need to exercise it in communion with others, sharing in the life-giving experience of the presence of Jesus Christ in the members of his body gathered in prayer and worship in our parish communities. We also need to commit ourselves daily to actively putting our faith into practice, not hiding the gift, but being seen to be using it, living by it and letting it be seen. In light of that, why would we choose to put our salvation at risk by not using the gift of faith that God has given us?

And so, as we look around the church and see all those empty seats, we really should be concerned for our brothers and sisters in Christ who were baptised into his body the Church and, for a time at least, were nourished and strengthened by him through his word and in the Eucharist, but who for whatever reason have now either walked away, or fallen away, from the practice of their faith. The gift has been misplaced, lost, or broken. We should also be concerned for ourselves because the spiritual health and well-being of the body of Christ, the Church, is not at full strength as a result.

Is it possible for us to follow Our Lord’s example and search for the missing, gently inviting them back into the fold (Mt 18 v 12-14)? Might we at least pray to, and trust in, the giver of the gift to help them rediscover the treasure that is their faith?

Ushaw scoops major historic houses award historichouses.org

“We find it particularly gratifying that the efforts we are making to introduce people to Ushaw and the treasures it contains have been recognised in this way” Ushaw, the former Catholic seminary in County Durham, has won the Historic Houses Collection Award after adapting during the pandemic to use technology to continue making its exhibits accessible.

The award was introduced last year to honour owners and curators who preserve, augment and restore beautiful and significant objects on show inside historic houses up and down the country, enabling the public to understand and enjoy them and the stories that they tell.

Ushaw, which has been operated by a charitable trust as a heritage attraction since 2014, has a collection of fine art, religious and secular objects and books that reflects its two centuries as an educational foundation on the site.

Ushaw has operated as a heritage attraction since 2014 In summer 2022, Ushaw launched an outdoor digital trail app. Free to download and use, the app contains animation, text, video, sound and elements of augmented reality. The aim of the trail was to introduce visitors to their heritage and collection objects in a unique and engaging fashion.

It was set up during the pandemic, when Ushaw’s buildings were closed. They constructed display boards in their grounds and made displays showing reproductions of collection items.

The team also began working on a digital app that takes users on a treasure hunt through Ushaw’s gardens.

Augmented reality elements of the trail include the appearance of a mid-17th century atlas through the library window. The atlas swoops down to the user and provides a helpful hint to the next location.

Other items highlighted include an orrery from 1794, the 15th century Westminster Vestment, and a 1732 bronze sundial spinning in mid-air before pointing the way to the trail’s final location. Here, the Douai Silver erupts from the ground in a spectacular finale to the trail’s quest.

Andrew Heard, visitor programmes manager at Ushaw, said: “We are delighted to have won the Historic Houses 2023 Collections Award for our outdoor digital art trail.

The complex was created by scholars from the English College at Douai in northern France, who were fleeing the consequences of the French Revolution.

The treasure hunt has echoes of the house’s history. During the French Revolution, students at Ushaw’s predecessor college at Douai hid the institution’s collection of early 18thcentury silver to safeguard it from the revolutionary forces.

“The trail was designed to introduce Ushaw’s history and collections to new audiences and encourage visitors to our gardens and outdoor spaces to discover more about what is inside our buildings.

Douai was also a product of exile, designed to train Englishmen as Catholic priests during the ban on the public practice of their faith in postReformation England.

In the mid-19th century, with permission from Napoleon III, Ushaw students returned to the by then derelict college site to recover the silver and bring it to England.

“We find it particularly gratifying that the efforts we are making to introduce people to Ushaw and the treasures it contains have been recognised in this way.”

Families in Gaza displaced multiple times says CAFOD indcatholicnews.com

Civilian areas including schools, homes, hospitals and churches have been attacked Monday 15 January marks 100 days since the 7 October attack on Israel and Israel's response with intensive bombardment of Gaza. More than 25,000 people have now lost their lives, the majority women and children.

As Israeli military strikes in the south intensify, CAFOD's local partner has had to shut its centres in Khan Younis that were providing much-needed relief and shelter for thousands of children and their families.

Over 1.9 million people have been displaced in Gaza, with many families having to move multiple times. Civilian areas including

schools, homes, hospitals and churches have been attacked: there are no safe places for people to seek safety.

Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD's Country Representative for the Middle East, said: "For almost 100 days, civilians - women, men and children - have paid the ultimate price in this terrible conflict that urgently demands a ceasefire. Nowhere in Gaza is safe. Families have been displaced multiple times and are trapped within the tiny Gaza Strip.

"In Khan Younis, our local partner has been helping around 9,000 people by providing places to sleep in their three shelters, hot meals, and carrying out activities to distract children from the disruption and trauma caused by the conflict all around them. The increasingly heavy bombardment in Khan Younis means it's now too dangerous for them to stay put. Having already left their homes, families are being uprooted once again and moved to new, hastily built shelters.

“We stand in awe of the unwavering strength and courage of our local partners, who persevere in their mission despite losing their own homes and facing constant threats of aerial bombardments.

“100 days of death and destruction is 100 too many. How many more days will lives continue to be destroyed, people trapped and living in fear, before Palestinians and Israelis are allowed to live in peace?"

CAFOD's local partners in Gaza are continuing to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinians who have been displaced from their homes, lost loved ones, and seen their daily lives uprooted. CAFOD has joined calls for an immediate ceasefire. Civilians must be protected and full humanitarian access must be provided.

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 3.

The Closeness of the Holy Family Our Lady asks us to pray the rosary, but she would never compel us. The rosary humbles, it takes us to the roots of our Faith, to see the Holy Family as a family who lived with the same difficulties as our own. Theirs were human lives, full of hardships mingled with joy.

By losing our thoughts in the stories hidden in the beads of the rosary, and maybe combining this with reading the relevant passages in the bible, we begin see the daily life of this little family and of their closeness to our own daily tasks and worries.

Maybe this is why Our Lady asks us to pray the rosary, encouraging us to take a few moments to still our daily chores in order to feel the closeness of the Child in a manger. To feel the plight of this little family who, as the Gospels tell us, fled from the country they knew, seeking safety, having to start again. Through the beads we identify with the challenges of parenthood; we see both a mother who lost her son and a young man whose friends were too afraid to stand with him when needed. So many situations that we also see around us today. We experience the joy of the messages of angels, their caring interaction with the human race, the preaching and teaching of Jesus and his glorious and extraordinary overpowering of evil and of death.

The Rosary is a powerful yet humble prayer that, as a private or group devotion, can be prayed in many different ways and parts.

Our Lady’s call to the humble beads of the rosary, particularly for the cause of world peace, remains at the very centre of Crown of Thorns’ work. email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk www.crownofthorns.org.uk

Crown of Thorns

Mission of Hope

Promoting the Holy Rosary in the U.K. & throughout the world to bring hope, comfort and peace to the marginalised, the oppressed and the imprisoned, enabling wounded hearts to find healing and shattered lives to find breath and space to renew.

Supporting priests and chaplains in their ministry, outreach and welfare.

“I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day.”

(Our Lady at Fatima)

www.crownofthorns.org.uk Donate to CAFOD's Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal here: www.cafod.org.uk/ipc

email: office@crownofthorns.org.uk Phone: 01342 870472 Registered charity no: 1042751

Page 4. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

Walking towards the Jubilee in Father Brown’s footsteps! dioceseofleeds.org.uk

It will take place almost exactly 120 years after Fr John O’Connor (1870-1952), a Diocese of Leeds priest, became the inspiration for GK Chesterton’s famous ‘Father Brown’ stories Pilgrims from across the Diocese of Leeds and beyond are planning a new walking ‘camino’ this coming Lent, as their ‘first steps’ in the Year of Prayer and Preparation before the 2025 Jubilee, which the Holy Father has announced to have the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

The new, short pilgrimage is for the intention of ‘Vocations to the Priesthood’. It will take place almost exactly 120 years after Fr John O’Connor (1870-1952), a Diocese of Leeds priest, became the inspiration for GK Chesterton’s famous ‘Father Brown’ stories which, even on today’s BBC TV adaptations, still illustrate the priest’s humane wisdom, understanding and compassion as well as his spiritual and sacramental role.

The two men first met in March 1904 in Keighley, where Fr O’Connor was a curate at St Anne’s Catholic Church. GK had just delivered a lecture in the town and was on his way to visit a German Jewish friend in Ilkley, whom O’Connor also knew. It was in a walk together along the Roman road which crosses Ilkley Moor that Fr John O’Connor first set Gilbert Chesterton on the ‘Path to Rome’ – and would eventually receive one of the world’s most renowned literary figures into the Catholic Church in the summer of 1922.

The new Pilgrimage Walk for Vocations will take place on Saturday 16 March 2024. In keeping with our journey towards sustainability, public transport is recommended as there is a railway station and other good public transport links in both

Keighley and Ilkley. After 9.30am Mass at St Anne’s Church, walkers will set off following in ‘Father Brown’s Footsteps’, up Keighley Gate, over Ilkley Moor, and upon reaching the Ilkley Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, will walk up to the Myddelton Grange Calvary for Stations of the Cross. The total distance will be around seven miles, which includes two steep uphills – so walking all the way will not be suitable for those with serious health or fitness issues, although the Keighley/Ilkley Road is metalled for a short distance at each end. This Lenten pilgrimage walk for Vocations is not yet an official diocesan event, so please contact communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk for more details.

Since 2016, the Diocese of Leeds’ main walking pilgrimage or ‘Camino’ has been St Wilfrid’s Way, which is walked on the Friday and Saturday closest to St Wilfrid’s Feast Day (12 October). Last year, an unprecedented number of pilgrims walked the 2023 St Wilfrid’s Way. Over the two days, a total of 40 men and women, aged between around 20 and 80, walked all or part of the route devised by Holy Redeemer (Huddersfield) parishioner, Stephen Habron. As ever, the Camino began with a Pilgrims’ Mass at Leeds Cathedral with visits along the way to Catholic heritage sites and shrines: the Carmelite Sisters at Wood Hall; Knaresborough’s Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag; St Joseph’s Church in Bishop Thornton and Markenfield Hall – and ending with Mass at St Wilfrid’s Church in Ripon and the ‘traditional’ fish, chips and ‘fizz’ supper in St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall.

St Wilfrid’s Way 2023: Pilgrims gather for a few minutes’ prayer and reflection at Markenfield Hall

St Wilfrid’s Way 2023: St Joseph’s Church, Bishop Thornton As ever, many thanks go to those who walked any or all of the route, supporting and encouraging others; to the First Aider; to those who provided hospitality at Wood Hall Carmel, St Mary’s, Knaresborough and St Joseph’s, Bishop Thornton; to the Trustees of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag; and of course to the priests who celebrated the Masses!

Sammie Shears for a video which will be edited in time to mark the 10th St Wilfrid’s Way Pilgrimage, which falls in the Jubilee Year.

The 9th Annual St Wilfrid’s Way Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October 2024 (the actual Feast Day!) – for more information and to register an interest, please contact communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk.

St Wilfrid’s Way was the inspiration and model for a new series of Cathedral-to-Local-Shrine walking pilgrimages in every Catholic diocese throughout England and Wales: a project known as ‘Hearts in Search of God’ and led by former Catholic Social Action Network (CSAN) CEO, Dr Phil McCarthy. For those who are able, the Holy Father and Catholic Bishops of England and Wales recommend walking pilgrimages such as these as Jubilee Year Devotions.

Along last year’s route, drone filming of the pilgrimage was captured by videographer

Find out more via the Hearts in Search of God website: www.pilgrimways.org.uk

St Wilfrid’s Way 2023: Nearly there! A distant view of Ripon Cathedral

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 5.

Mary’s Meals fundraiser set to reach £1,000 target birminghamdiocese.org.uk

The charity Mary’s Meals is set to be £1,000 better off thanks to the fundraising efforts of an 11-year-old school pupil.

Michael, who attends St Thomas More Catholic Academy in Nuneaton and is an altar server at St Anne’s and St Joseph’s parish, has raised almost £800 for Mary’s Meals. He is aiming to raise £1,000 before his 12th birthday in June.

“Michael keeps going. He says no child should be hungry anywhere in the world. They need our help.”

Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries and is currently feeding more than 2.4m children every school day.

Last month, in December, Michael was a guest of honour at a Mary’s Meals Christmas concert in Birmingham, along with charity founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow and Archbishop Bernard Longley.

Michael was spurred into action after watching a video about Mary’s Meals last summer.

A video of Michael reading his poem was also broadcast on the night.

Linda Glover, Michael’s Abuela (Spanish for Grandma) said: “Michael felt quite sad seeing the orphaned and poor children who would go without food for days, begging for food and eating out of bins.

Michael said: “I have really enjoyed raising money for charity and helping others.”

“It really touched him and he felt he had to do something.

“That evening he did some graffiti art, which I helped to colour in with him and he also wrote a poem.

“Inspired by sales of his graffiti art he worked all summer with cake sales, talks, fundraising at school and most recently Christmas craft fairs. His teachers are really supporting him at school by doing fundraising every half term with various events planned by his classmates.

“To date Michael has raised almost £800 and his goal is to reach £1,000 before his 12th birthday in June.

Hannah Moore, Supporter Engagement Officer at Mary’s Meals, said: “We’re so thankful to Michael for his incredible fundraising. Seeing young people like Michael get behind our mission is so inspiring as they strive to help the children we serve every school day.

“It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary's Meals every day for a school year. If Michael hits his £1,000 target, his incredible efforts will ensure over 50 children will receive a nutritious meal every day for the whole school year.

“And during our Double The Love appeal, which runs until 31 January, any gift you give will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, up to £1.1 million, meaning your generosity will go twice as far.”

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Page 6. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

People attend a rally for the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the U.N. headquarters on Jan. 12, 2024, in New York City.

Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Hostages taken in Hamas terror attack approach 100th day in captivity catholicnewsagency.com

“The global community must continue efforts to ensure that every single hostage will be reunited with their loved ones and ensure that this humanitarian issue remains at the forefront of all global efforts in the region.”

As the Israel-Hamas war nears its 100-day mark, well over 100 hostages of the conflict are still estimated to be held in Gaza, with advocates and global groups drawing attention to their plight and calling for their immediate release.

In Israel this week, “corporations, universities, and retail chains” are organizing a major “labour strike” planned for Saturday“ in support of the families of the Hamas hostages still being held captive in Gaza,” according to the Times of Israel.

In the United States, a rally was held in midtown Manhattan on Friday in support of the hostages. In attendance were New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Sen. Chuck Schumer, who called for the release of the captives. Major protests in Israel last week also demanded their release.

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) said this month that while a temporary cease-fire in November “saw 105 civilians released from Hamas captivity,” Israeli forces believe that

“over 132 hostages remain, including two children.”

AJC noted that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently “confirmed the deaths of 18 hostages due to new intelligence and findings from soldiers in Gaza.”

AJC, which advocates for the protection of civil liberties for Jewish people, said that the terrorist group Hamas “employs various strategies to take Israelis hostage, including cross-border raids and exploiting tunnels to infiltrate Israeli territory from Gaza.” Its largescale hostage capture during the Oct. 7 raid was “without precedent,” the group said.

“The work to free every hostage — irrespective of age, gender, or nationality — cannot stop,” the AJC said. “The global community must continue efforts to ensure that every single hostage will be reunited with their loved ones and ensure that this humanitarian issue remains at the forefront of all global efforts in the region.”

Hamas terrorist forces on Oct. 7 crossed Israel’s border, murdering civilians and capturing men, women, and children indiscriminately. Photos and videos were shared on social media showing women being taken on motorbikes and in military convoys; missing-person posts quickly circulated with families pleading for the return of infants and toddlers.

Just days after the conflict began, Pope Francis appealed for the immediate release of the hostages being held by Hamas.

Around the same time, the Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem offered to be exchanged for the children being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. And world leaders and international bodies including the United Nations have repeatedly appealed for the release of all hostages in the conflict.

A spokesman with Hamas said this week that ”enemy prisoners will not be returned alive to their families” unless Israel effects “a comprehensive cessation of the aggression against Gaza.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated Israel’s intent to fully eradicate Hamas in the present conflict. “The IDF will immediately use all its strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities,” he said after the war began.

Whether or not Israel can succeed at that goal while bringing the remaining hostages home remains unclear. International stakeholders, meanwhile, continue to work to resolve the conflict.

Brett McGurk, a top Middle East adviser for President Joe Biden, reportedly met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani earlier this month to discuss in part efforts to secure hostage releases.

The White House has continued to signal its intent to help facilitate the release of hostages.

“We’re not going to stop hoping to try to get all those hostages home,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a press conference earlier this month.

Others are working to ameliorate the plight of the hostages who remain in Gaza. Qatar was this week reportedly “engaged in high-level discussions with Hamas to deliver vital prescription medicines to Israeli hostages” in Gaza, according to the New York Times, while the American Red Cross said this month that it was working to both “secure the release of all remaining hostages” and to gain “urgent, immediate access to all those detained.”

Daniel Payne

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 7.

'Peace is a responsibility incumbent on all of us' vaticannews.va

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Pope Francis recalled as he welcomed the expanded “diplomatic family” in the Vatican In his annual “State of the World” address to members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis reflects on the conflicts and divisions ravaging the world and highlights the responsibility of individuals and nations to foster peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,” Pope Francis recalled as he welcomed the expanded “diplomatic family” in the Vatican, thanking the ambassadors for their efforts to nurture good relations between the Holy See and their respective countries.

And immediately he shone the light on the central theme of his discourse – Peace - which he said, is primarily a gift of God, for it is He who left us His peace. “Yet it is also a responsibility incumbent upon all of us,” he added.

Greeting the ambassadors from throughout the globe accredited to the Holy See on Monday, 8 January 2024, he expressed deep concern about the escalating conflicts worldwide and described the current state of affairs as a "third world war fought piecemeal" openly addressing specific geopolitical crises.

Israel and Palestine Recalling the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the Holy Father condemned the October 7 attack on the Israeli people.

“I renew my condemnation of this act and of every instance of terrorism and extremism.

This is not the way to resolve disputes between peoples; those disputes are only aggravated and cause suffering for everyone,” he said.

And condemning the subsequent military response to that act that has led to full-scale war in Gaza - where over 22,000 people have been killed and millions injured and displaced - the Pope decried the fact that it “provoked a strong Israeli military response in Gaza that has led to the death of tens of thousands of Palestinians, mainly civilians, including many young people and children, and has caused an exceptionally grave humanitarian crisis and inconceivable suffering.”

Thus, he called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and access to humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people.

He also reiterated his support for a “two-state” solution, as well as an “internationally guaranteed special status for the City of Jerusalem, aiming for lasting peace and security.

Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See listen to Pope Francis' "State of the World" discourse

Syria, Lebanon, Myanmar The Pope expressed concern for the destabilizing situation in the entire region that is clearly affected by the present conflict in Gaza.

In particular, he turned his attention to the people of Syria who are “living in a situation of economic and political instability aggravated by last February’s earthquake.”

He appealed to the international community “to encourage the parties involved to undertake a constructive and serious dialogue and to seek new solutions so that the Syrian people need no longer suffer as a result of international sanctions.”

Expressing “profound distress for the millions of Syrian refugees still present in neighbouring countries like Jordan and Lebanon,” the Pope did not neglect to mention the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar, pleading that “every effort be made to offer hope to that land and a dignified future to its young (…) not neglecting the humanitarian emergency that the Rohingya continue to experience.”

Russia and Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan Reiterating his perspective of a third world war fought piecemeal, the Pope recalled almost two years of large-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine that has resulted in “great numbers of victims and massive destruction” and the situation in the South Caucasus between Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the dramatic situation of refugees.

In both instances, he called for negotiations, in respect for international law and for religious diversity.

Spotlight on Africa Pope Francis addressed humanitarian crises in sub-Saharan Africa, including the effects of terrorism, political instability, and climate change. He called for serious efforts in implementing agreements, such as the Pretoria Agreement, to address conflicts in Tigray, and sought solutions to tensions in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.

The war in Sudan and its far-reaching consequences on millions of displaced people was also on his radar, as was the plight of refugees in Cameroon, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.

Challenges in the Americas While acknowledging the absence of open wars in the Americas, the Pope highlighted serious tensions between several countries in Latin America, such as Venezuela and Guyana, and expressed concerns about political polarization affecting democratic institutions in places like Peru and Nicaragua. ”The situation in Nicaragua remains troubling: a protracted crisis with painful consequences for Nicaraguan society as a whole, and in particular for the Catholic Church,” he said, reaffirming the Holy See’s commitment to encourage “a respectful diplomatic dialogue for the benefit of Catholics and the entire population.”

A lacerated world and the human faces of war Continuing to paint a vivid picture of an increasingly lacerated world where millions of individuals suffer due to conflicts, and detailing the human faces behind the statistics, Pope Francis condemned the violation of international humanitarian law, stating that grave violations are war crimes that demand not only identification but also prevention.

Noting that modern warfare no longer takes place only on clearly defined battlefields, the Pope lamented that in a “context where it appears that the distinction between military and civil objectives is no longer respected, there is no conflict that does not end up in some way indiscriminately striking the civilian population.”

“The events in Ukraine and Gaza are clear proof of this,” he said.

Disarmament and global security Pope Francis stressed the need for disarmament, asserting that weapons do not have a deterrent value but rather encourage their use.

“How many lives could be saved with the resources that today are misdirected to weaponry?" he asked, while restating his proposal to “invest those resources in the pursuit of genuine global security,” as humankind should work to tackle the root causes of conflict.

“The challenges of our time transcend borders, as we see from the variety of crises – of food, the environment, the economy, and health care – that have marked the beginning of the century. Here I reiterate my proposal that a global fund be established to finally eliminate hunger and to promote a sustainable development of the entire planet,” he said.

Environmental crisis and Climate Change Another root cause for conflict the Pope did not forget to mention is the climate crisis that “demands an increasingly urgent response and full involvement on the part of all, including the international community as a whole.”

He expressed his hope that the agreement adopted in Dubai at the UN Climate Summit may lead to “a decisive acceleration of the ecological transition.'"

Migration and the Mediterranean crisis The speech provided the Pope with the opportunity to call for respect and protection for those who are forced to flee their lands.

Faced with what is perceived as an “invasion,” he lamented the fact that “we can easily end up closing our hearts.”

“We are quick to forget that we are dealing with people with faces and names, and we overlook the specific vocation of this, ‘our sea’ (mare nostrum), to be not a tomb but a place of encounter and mutual enrichment between individuals, peoples, and cultures,” he said.

Continued on page 8

Peace Sunday 2024

Page 8. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

www.indcatholicnews.com

Pope Francis has spoken out so often about the folly of war and our vocation as Catholics to be peacemakers and peacebuilders as part of our faith in action.

Ann Dodd, a former Chair of Pax Christi England and Wales, spoke at all three Masses this weekend in her parish of Abingdon RC parish. She writes: Pope Francis has spoken out so often about the folly of war and our vocation as Catholics to be peacemakers and peacebuilders as part of our faith in action.

This year's Peace Sunday, on 14th January 2024, is an annual opportunity to renew our own commitment to work for peace and justice in our world.

Each year Pope Francis (and other popes before him since 1968) give us a theme for our prayer and reflection.

now taking place and manage them in ways that safeguard fundamental human rights and respect the institutions and laws that promote human development". In particular, he alerts us to the dangers of conducting military operations through remote control systems which has led to a lessened perception of the devastation caused by those weapon systems.

There are great risks, Pope Francis warns us, in developments in AI but also great opportunities to create "a more equitable and humane world". He urges the global community of nations to work together "to adopt a binding international treaty that regulates the development and use of AI in its many forms".

Bishop Nicholas Hudson with Pax Christi at Westminster Cathedral - Hiroshima Day 2023 behalf of Pax Christi, the International Catholic Movement for Peace, which embodies in every aspect of its work the peacemaking and peacebuilding that Pope Francis reminds us is so central to our Catholic faith in action.

This year's theme may seem a bit too abstract or technical for us to grasp: 'Artificial Intelligence and Peace' - yet that title alerts us to the new threats that are facing us on the world stage and in our own homes. In his reflection Pope Francis says: "We rightly rejoice and give thanks for the impressive achievements of science and technology, as a result of which countless ills that formerly plagued human life and caused great suffering have been remedied. At the same time, techno-scientific advances ….... are placing in human hands a vast array of options, including some that may cause a risk to our survival and endanger our common home".

Pope Francis ends thus: "It is my prayer at the start of the new year that the rapid development of forms of AI will not increase cases of inequality and injustice all too present in today's world, but will help to put an end to wars and conflicts and alleviate many forms of suffering that afflict our human family. May Christian believers, followers of various religions, and men and women of good will, work together in harmony to embrace the opportunities and confront the challenges posed by the digital revolution and thus hand on to future generations a world of greater solidarity, justice and peace."

Artificial intelligence (AI), as Pope Francis says, will become increasingly important and, "we need to be aware of the rapid transformations

Peace Sunday, designated by the Bishops of England and Wales for this Sunday of the year each year is also an opportunity to appeal on

Pax Christi in England and Wales, is a very small organisation - would that it were bigger.

Continued from page 7 Thus, the Holy Father appealed for a balanced approach that regulates migration while respecting the rights and dignity of individuals, and called for a shift in perspective regarding the Mediterranean, envisioning it as a “laboratory of peace” rather than a cemetery, where migrants are welcomed, protected, promoted and integrated.

future, especially in the context of the ethical use of new technologies.

dialogue as a crucial element in the pursuit of peace.

He spoke of the need for technological development to be ethical and responsible and highlighted the overreaching importance of human rights.

“The path to peace also passes through interreligious dialogue, which before all else requires the protection of religious freedom and respect for minorities,” he said, lamenting the fact that an “increasing number of countries are adopting models of centralized control over religious freedom, especially by the massive use of technology.”

“We need likewise to insist on the right of people to remain in their homeland and the corresponding need to create the conditions for the effective exercise of this right,” he said.

Decrying trends that have led to ideological colonization and the spread of a "culture of death" in some parts of the world, he appealed for respect for life, starting with the unborn child, and criticized practices like surrogate motherhood as violations of human dignity.

Education, Human Rights, Dialogue

“At every moment of its existence, human life must be preserved and defended; yet I note with regret, especially in the West, the continued spread of a culture of death, which in the name of a false compassion discards children, the elderly, and the sick.”

Coming to the end of a long and extremely articulated speech, Pope Francis pointed to education as a means of investing in the

Finally, Pope Francis upheld the role of dialogue, and in particular of interreligious

Wooden crosses made with the remains of boats in Lampedusa commemorate migrants who have died at sea during their journeys of hope

We are all aware of the terrible violence that has erupted in Israel and Palestine. Advocating for a just peace there is part of Pax Christi`s ongoing work, alongside building a culture of nonviolence and campaigning against war, nuclear weapons and the arms trade in line with clear papal teaching. Supporting its members and the Church itself, Pax Christi produces resources on peace and nonviolence issues, organises events and vigils, represents the Catholic Church in the peace movement and works with young people in both schools and churches.

He called for respect of minority religious communities, whom he said, “In some cases, risk extinction due to a combination of terrorism, attacks on their cultural heritage, and more subtle measures such as the proliferation of anti-conversion laws, the manipulation of electoral rules, and financial restrictions.”

Staying with this theme, the Pope also reiterated his condemnation of all acts of antiSemitism and the increasing discrimination against Christians worldwide.

It has chosen not to be a charity so that it can speak out clearly in the name of gospel teaching. Its peace work is very dependent on donations, especially on Peace Sunday. Find Peace Sunday Resources at: https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday/ Archbishop Malcolm McMahon is presiding over a Peace Sunday Mass at Liverpool Cathedral at 11.00am. Pax Christi CEO Andrew Jackson will speak at the Liverpool J&P annual memorial lecture at 13.30 on 'The challenges of being non-violent in a violent world'.

Parish collections on Peace Sunday are a major fundraising opportunity for Pax Christi England and Wales. Funds raised go towards Peace Education work in schools, work to challenge the causes of war and seek nonviolent strategies and approaches to violence. You can donate online on the Pax Christi website: www.paxchristi.org.uk

Holy Year The Pope concluded his address by reminding those present that the Church is preparing for the Jubilee, the Holy Year that will begin next Christmas.

“Today, perhaps more than ever,” he said, “we need a Holy Year,” a season of grace that enables us to experience God’s mercy and the gift of His peace.

Amid many causes of suffering that lead to a sense of hopelessness not only in those directly affected but throughout our societies, the Pope said, amid the difficulties experienced by young people, “who instead of dreaming of a better future often feel helpless and frustrated,” and amid the gloom of this world that seems to be spreading rather than receding, “the Jubilee is a proclamation that God never abandons his people and constantly keeps open the doors to his Kingdom.”

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 9.

SiLENT

millionminutes.org

We see a world in which young people enable the transformation needed for everyone to live a life of dignity Million Minutes enables youth action and advocacy activities that give voice and support to young people (aged up to 25) to transform their lives and their world. That's because young people's energy and vibrancy is astonishing. We have faith in young people. We see a world in which young people enable the transformation needed for everyone to live a life of dignity.

OUR STORY Young people are often seen and not listened to. They get shut out of decision-making, stereotyped, and scapegoated for society’s problems. And it’s not right. Young people’s energy and vibrancy shouldn’t be underestimated. They care about the future.

They can change the future for the good of all.

CST provides guidance on how to approach situations and principles to guide how we live our life and how we treat others both locally and globally. We've got a great Catholic social teaching resource so you can find out more about it by visting www.millionminutes.org/cst

SILENCE They say silence is golden. Here at Million Minutes, we say silence is worth much more than that. First up, silence helps us to stand in solidarity with young people who are shut out, stereotyped and scapegoated in society today.

Young people are seen and not heard and that's not fair. Second, we're going to use our silence to raise money by getting people sponsored to stay silent. And third, silence helps us to reconnect with our deepest selves.

At Million Minutes we want to enable young people to be the ones to build a world based on the principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching – the principles of dignity and equality, of service to the poor and the oppressed, of care for the world and the promotion of peace and solidarity.

bcys.net This Lent, to mark ten years of Million Minutes, we are creating 1,000,000 minutes of silence.

Million MinutesSiLENT is a project started by Million Minutes, an organisation which enables young people to be the ones to build a world based on the principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching – the principles of dignity and equality, of service to the poor and the oppressed, of care for the world and the promotion of peace and solidarity. You can read more about their work by visiting www.millionminutes.org A ‘Million Minutes of Silence’ is a simple idea – each minute is sponsored to raise money for social action projects supporting young people. Throughout Lent schools, parishes, and individuals will help clock up a million minutes! We want this year to be the biggest year yet, to show our collective support for young people, and to raise at least a million pennies (which is £10,000!) to help young people restore our world.

Whether you can pledge to be SiLENT for 1 minute or 24 hours, on your own or as a class of 30, every minute will count and help raise money for social action projects supporting young people.

You can also support those taking part by donating on our JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/brentwoodsilent/

OUR INSPIRATION At Million Minutes we’re inspired and challenged by CST. It lies at the heart of what we’re trying to do. At its core is the basic concept that all people are made in God’s image and likeness. If we believe that this is true then we are inspired to care for one another, whether or not we know the other person.

This Lent, to mark ten years of Million Minutes, we are creating 1,000,000 minutes of silence

If you’d like to find lots more fantastic resources, as well as information for individuals, schools and communitites on the Million Minutes website.

Fr Christopher Jamsion OSB Million Minutes Champion Watch our 'Finding Silence' video from Fr Christopher Jamison www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDEYaLfhSkQ

For all your advertising requirements please contact Charlotte on 01440 730399 charlotter@cathcom.org

You can also read more about where the money raised by Million Minutes has been used by downloading the stories at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56ee69d91bbee05366beb2a1/t/5fa4033cf5588b4a9 e45df7a/1604584270693/grant+stories+2021.pdf

Page 10. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

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To be a Pilgrim …

Dr Jay Kettle-Williams

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The way she smiled convinced me that my comment hadn’t been the first she’d heard to that effect My wife and I went on a pilgrimage recently.

Nothing dramatic. We drove across country to Canterbury for a weekend at an Airbnb in the middle of town. We’d never visited the Cathedral and fancied visiting what had been the rallying point for so many pilgrims in times past as they prepared for what used to be a trek of 80 days or more, firstly by boat across the Channel and then overland step by step to Santiago de Compostela in Spain’s northwestern province of Galicia. Santiago marks the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route at the alleged burial site of the Biblical apostle St. James.

It took us some time to go round and fully appreciate the treasure that is Canterbury Cathedral, compensation in grand part for the £34 we’d had to spend to get in. It always strikes me as arch, a bit ‘in for a dig’, that today’s Catholics pay to enter monumental architecture which earlier Catholics had built and to then have seen taken from them by a certain multi-married monarch. My comment

For all your advertising requirements please contact Charlotte on 01440 730399 charlotter@cathcom.org

to that effect was indulged by the young girl at the ticket office. The way she smiled convinced me that my comment hadn’t been the first she’d heard to that effect.

It was Saturday and we knew we’d be looking for evening Mass. ‘Is there a Catholic Church nearby?’ asked my wife. ‘St Thomas of Canterbury,’ the young girl replied. ‘Just 50 yards or so down this road. It has a relic of St Thomas Becket. A finger.’

I was halfway through asking if it was free entrance but my wife was already tugging me away: ‘Come on. Leave it there. Don’t be such a bore!’ But a young female voice chanted cheerily behind me: ‘Yes, it’s free to get in’.

Thankfully wit and humour don’t dwell solely in the past.

From the Cathedral we wandered the short distance to St Martin’s Church, half a mile or so beyond the city walls.

St Martin - Martin of Tours, also known as Martin the Merciful - had been born in what is present-day Hungary. A Christian convert, he served in the Roman cavalry in Gaul (presentday France) because of which he is presumably often depicted on horseback. He left military service some ten years before being consecrated the third bishop of Tours in 371.

He is credited for having used his sword to cut his cloak in two (see inset) to give half to a beggar clad only in rags in deep mid-winter, the beggar being subsequently revealed as Christ Himself. The shrine of St Martin in Tours became an established focal point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

St Martin’s Church in Canterbury dates back to the Roman occupation of Britain and to this day remains the oldest church in continuous use in the English-speaking world; part Roman, part Saxon. It is uncertain whether the construction was first built as a church, a mausoleum or something else. Be that as it may, St Martin’s has remained in constant use for Christian worship, prayer and mission ever since Augustine arrived with his companions to re-establish Christianity in the 6th century.

Augustine, a Benedictine monk, had been based in Rome. He arrived in Britain in AD597 with 40 companions, Roman monks and

Frankish interpreters being among his entourage, to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. St Martin’s was Augustine’s initial base for his mission: 'Here they first began to assemble, to sing the psalms, to pray, to celebrate mass, to preach and to baptize, until the king was converted to the faith and gave them greater freedom to preach and to build and restore churches everywhere'. (Bede’s Ecclesiastical History, AD731).

From St Martin’s my wife and I made our way back into town, to inside the city walls, to St Thomas of Canterbury, in time for the Vigil Mass. The church, nestling just down the road from the cathedral and undergoing some repairs and renovation, hosted a small, sincere congregation which included on that occasion a leading Catholic parliamentarian and his family.

Our weekend pilgrimage was almost over.

Acknowledgements and Attribution: Texts/References adapted and/or adopted from http://en.wikipedia.org under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/4.0/; The National Churches Trust (https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/church/stmartin-canterbury); Photographs © J L Kettle-Williams: (1) St Martin (Unknown Artist c.

1450-75. Polychrome wood, 118.5 x 94 x 34.5 cm); (2) St Martin’s Church, Canterbury

Dr J L Kettle-Williams is an experienced business communications consultant and wordsmith (tutor, writer, translator).

Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir perform special Epiphany service by author Frank Cottrell Boyce to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 11.

svp.org.uk

“The money raised will go to our More than Kind Appeal and help support more people in need this Winter and beyond.”

The Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir, premiered a new work by author, screen writer and St Vincent de Paul Society member, Frank Cottrell Boyce, at Trafalgar Square’s St Martin-in-theFields, in a special evensong Epiphany service on 6 January 2024.

The special piece - The Love that moves the Stars: A Gospel Celebration for Epiphany - has been dedicated to the St Vincent de Paul Society (England and Wales), with all the collection funds going to towards the charity’s ‘More Than Kind’ Christmas appeal.

The St Vincent de Paul Society (England & Wales) is part of an international Christian voluntary network dedicated to tackling poverty in all its forms by providing practical assistance to people in need. Over the last couple of years, SVP have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people requesting help from volunteer members and at community support centres. All of the money raised from the More than Kind appeal will go towards helping those struggling with the rising cost of living, by offering support with debt, the provision of furniture, access to food banks, and with other everyday essentials.

Monthly National Catholic Newspaper Miko Giedroyc, co-founder and Trustee of the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir, has been a supporter of the SVP’s work for many years, and praises the charity for the work they do.

He said: “I got to know the SVP via my brotherin-law and the local SVP Conferences in Kent where he lives. He persuaded me to have a closer look at the charity and I was blown away by the work that they do. The SVP provide an extraordinary grassroots service to the community and their work is truly incredible.”

Kenneth Madine, St Vincent de Paul Society, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications, said that SVP were thankful

for the support of both Frank Cottrell Boyce and the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir.

“We are very grateful to Frank, who has been a member of the SVP since 2018, and the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir for organising the event and for creating the piece for the Special Service.

“The money raised will go to our More than Kind Appeal and help support more people in need this Winter and beyond.”

Prayers and Reflections during the service were given by Revd Dr Sam Wells.

Frank Goulding Christian’s speak of “Hope” for the months ahead When this article is read we will have reached a date in the calendar as the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity will have just drawn to a close on the feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (25 January).

We often hear of the life and martyrdom of this great saint in our scripture readings and he undoubtedly influenced the progress of Christianity. Many churches in the various cities he visited were founded after his promotion of the Christian gospel.

When Pope Saint John Paul II led a pilgrimage to Malta in 1990 he told the vast open-air congregation at the final Mass that he was now going back to Rome just as Saint Paul had travelled from Malta. The Mediterranean island was one of many destinations that John Paul visited as similar to Saint Paul he had great vision. When the Pope visited Britain in 1982 one of his places

of worship was a Papal visit to Canterbury, an Anglican friend sent me a postcard which was dominated by revealing the Archbishop Robert Runcie in deeper prayer with the Pope.

To say that this year started with a flurry of political activity would be an understatement.

No sooner that the first days of January the count-down to our General Election commenced. What was surprising was the reaction to what is now known as the Post Office scandal highlighted by a powerful proclamation from a television drama. On the first day of activity this huge injustice issue dominated the parliamentary agenda.

Compare this when other matters relating to injustice rarely get the attention they deserve.

Over the recent Christmas period we heard of hospital patients, visitors and nursing staff paying annual car parking fees of £146 million,

National and International News from a Catholic Perspective with thoughtful articles to deepen Faith

(up 50%), some sections losing staff resulting in fewer people getting the care they need and of alleged “profiteering” from some children who sadly have been taken into care. It took the television drama to settle the Post Office issue, will it take the same long time before other concerns get the same attention?

Saint Paul and Pope Saint John Paul did not have easy lives but their inspiration and leadership like many other great saints was a clear example of using personal talents.

Those who are seeking re-election or have political ambition need to follow their example. In the first few hours of this year I heard 3 Christians speak of “Hope” for the months ahead. These were educated and articulate commentators, perhaps they should have added Justice as well.

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Mary Ward for Saint!

Page 12. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

Join the campaign to have this remarkable Yorkshire women beatified by the Catholic Church The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre

The campaign will launch as part of Mary Ward Week 2024 which takes place from 23-30 January to mark the anniversaries of her birth and death A campaign will launch next week to raise awareness and provide evidence in the ongoing case to have Yorkshire woman Mary Ward (1585-1645) officially recognised as a Saint.

The campaign is part of Mary Ward Week 2024 (23-30 January) which marks the anniversaries of her birth and death. This is an annual global celebration of her life and achievements.

Mary Ward is the foundress of the Congregation of Jesus. They reside at the Bar Convent in York which is the oldest living convent in the UK. The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto), a sister Congregation, founded from York, also counts Mary Ward as founder.

Sister Elizabeth Cotter, IBVM, Canon Lawyer, Postulator for the Cause of Venerable Mary Ward said: “As part of our case, we need to provide evidence that Mary Ward remains relevant today.

“Key to this was her passionate belief that "women in time to come will do much" which has always been the driving force of followers who brought her vision to 42 countries from her time and up to the present day.

“This recognition by the Church would provide the women of our time with a fine example of the Church's willingness to promote the dignity of women in a world which badly needs such witness.

“For the hundreds of thousands of Mary Ward followers worldwide, recognition by the Church would validate the belief that Mary Ward is a Saint for the modern world; she is needed as much by our 21st century world as she was in those dark days of opposition to women in the 17th century.

“Support for and belief in Mary Ward has never waned in more than 400 years and her beatification and canonisation by the Church is long overdue.”

Sister Ann Stafford, sister in charge at the Bar Convent, said, “Here at the Bar Convent we have been contributing to the ongoing global

Dr Hannah Thomas with portrait of Mary Ward and her C17th Paternoster bead Photograph by Charlotte Graham campaign to have Mary Ward officially recognised by the Church as a Saint.

“As someone who campaigned for the dignity of women all of her life, we truly believe that Mary Ward is a vital role model for our time.

“Please help our cause in any way you can. You can sign the petition, join the conversation across the social media platforms using #MaryWardForSaint, visit us at the Bar Convent to discover more about Mary Ward, help us to raise awareness about this local woman who made international history or let the Cause Office know if you can help us in other ways by emailing causemaryward@gmail.com.”

Join the Bar Convent for Mary Ward Week 2024 with special events running from 23 January-17 February. Visit their website for more details and for the link to the petition: www.barconvent.co.uk.

Why does Mary Ward deserve to be a Saint?

• Mary Ward pioneered a new way to live the consecrated life at a time when the monastic life was the only way acceptable to the Church.

Believing that God's will was driving her towards this new way, Mary Ward persevered despite imprisonment and condemnation by

the Church she sought to serve. Mary Ward's holiness of life was recognised by the Church in 2009 when Pope Benedict declared her "Venerable." At a time when the worldwide Synod called by Pope Francis is urging stronger roles for women within the Church, Mary Ward is a prime role model for future generations and especially for girls.

• Mary Ward's passionate belief that "women in time to come will do much" has been the driving force of those who brought her vision and values to 42 countries in every continent.

She continues to provide inspiration to the women of our time. Recognition by the Church would provide a much-needed example of the Church's willingness to promote the dignity of women in a world which badly needs such witness.

• Her key values of Freedom, Justice, Sincerity and Joy, vital in her 17th context, retain their significance and importance in a world so devoid of these virtues today.

• Despite the way she was treated by the Church of her time, Mary Ward retained her love for it, urging her followers to "love the Church". She is a model of critical fidelity at a time when many struggle within the Church.

• Mary Ward lived and worked for the greater glory of God despite the obstacles in her way.

Her life challenges us to do the same.

• Mary Ward was an Englishwoman who held fast to the Catholic faith in an era of persecution and hostility to the Church. What a role model she is to English Catholics today.

By making her a saint, the Church would give recognition to the many faithful women and men who hold fast to the faith despite difficulties.

• For the hundreds of thousands of Mary Ward followers worldwide, recognition by the Church would validate the belief widely held, that Mary Ward is needed as much by our 21st century world as she was in those dark days of opposition to women in the 17th century.

Who is Mary Ward?

Mary Ward was born into a Catholic family during the English Reformation. Her childhood was tumultuous and her family linked to the Gunpowder Plot.

Mary felt called to the religious life and fled to the continent. She and her companions founded the first religious congregation for women modelled directly on the newlyfounded Society of Jesus (Jesuits), who take a fourth vow of universal mission to go wherever the Pope might send them.

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 13.

Continued from page 12 Mary Ward believed that women were spiritually and intellectually equal to men, and deserved the same education and opportunities.

In 1617 she famously said: "There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things - and I hope in God it will be seen that women in time to come will do much". By 1628 she had founded schools for girls in 10 European cities.

These views and methods were so far ahead of her time that the Catholic Church opposed her and even had her imprisoned.

After her death in 1645, her followers opened a secret convent in York, now known as the Bar Convent. They were the first to open schools for girls in this country that offered the same education as boys.

They continued to grow and there is now a global following of thousands of religious sisters and around 200 schools worldwide in Mary Ward’s name.

Pope John Paul II singled Mary Ward out as an "extraordinary Yorkshire woman and a pioneer" in 1982 and, in 2009, she was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI.

Sister Ann Stafford with Mary Ward’s C17th crucifix Photograph by Charlotte Graham

Our calling in dark times indcatholicnews.com

The Catholic tradition is quite explicit that the Church's relationship with the poor is central Jenny Sinclair is Founder and Director of Together for the Common Good. This is an edited version of her talk, 'The Relational Church: Our Calling in Dark Times' given at Hinsley Hall, Leeds, on 1 December 2023.

Jenny was guest speaker for the Northern Diaconate Formation Partnership's training weekend.

The Catholic tradition is quite explicit that the Church's relationship with the poor is central.

The poor and excluded are supposed to be at the heart of the Church. This is very challenging for Churches that have become middle class.

'Walking together' - this phrase that we're using now - with poor people, does not mean just serving their needs. Many Churches fall into the trap of welfarism - that is, a defeatist politics that sees increasing social security benefits as the primary way to help poor people.

How different is this from the way of communion, where we enter into a relationship of solidarity which then naturally and organically advocates for jobs and investment to enable everyone to reach their aspirations. A relationship with people who are low paid means mutual respect and respecting their agency. There's a reciprocity

though, that means hearing each other's stories, spending time together. Not a serviceclient relationship.

Catholic Social Teaching helps us stay true to mission.

About eight years ago you might remember Pope Francis said, "We are living not through an era of change, but a change of era." We've got to take that seriously. He wasn't the only one to spot this. To understand why becoming relational is important, we need to understand this new era.

In many cases people need to be reconverted or even introduced to our own tradition of Catholic social teaching. It's often said to be the best kept secret but it's really unforgivable now. It's a worldview. It's a fantastic framework for good judgement.

So Catholic Social Teaching - which has been called the theology of the Holy Spirit in practice - can help us recognise what's going on. It helps us understand these matters of political economy - that means, how our society is structured in terms of how power is arranged, our arrangements in terms of jobs, investments and so on. It helps us to understand and identify the social and cultural systems that are dehumanising. It's always concerned about the human person. It gives us an authentically Christian and Catholic political literacy, It helps us avoid mission drift, which is a massive risk just now and resist the corrosive influences of all kinds of secular ideologies which are becoming so active in this era.

These ideologies are dangerous for Christians.

Secular humanism laughs at God. It reduces religion to a lifestyle choice, it aims to relegate the Church to a private club out of the public square. And this post-modernist ideology wants us to adopt false ideas about human beings. And some well-intentioned people sadly in the Church - have been seduced into these worldviews. But we should be confident in our Christian identity. We need to remember we are made in the image of God: and as Christians our identity is in Jesus Christ.

So back in 1891, when Catholic Social Teaching - the modern version of it - started, it was mounting a response to the Industrial Revolution, noticing what was happening to human beings. It emerged from a Church that was standing in solidarity with the poor at that time. An authentic, reciprocal relationship with poor people helps us to discern the signs of the times. We're not in relationship with poor people, so we tend not to be able to read the signs of the times properly.

It has then continued to guide us all these years with encyclicals, letters and guidance to uphold true freedom, to uphold the human spirit - to resist what we might call 'the principalities and powers'.

So Catholic Social Teaching, identifies, in simple terms, three types of power, the two earthly powers of money and state and the one transcendent power of human beings in relationship with each other and with God. Because we're made in the image of God, we are partly transcendent, and that means relational power is a transcendent power.

Jenny Sinclair Correctly understood, Catholic Social Teaching transcends left and right. It's nonpartisan, it's not anti- capitalist, because it recognises that capital can be creative, but it recognises that it has exploitative, extractive and commodifying tendencies and so it has to be constrained.

But neither is Catholic Social Teaching proor anti-state. It recognises that governments can and do promote the good, and it also calls out bureaucratic systems in the administrative state when they become dehumanising, too technocratic, too centralised. It's always concerned about the human person.

So, it calls for both state and money power to be de-centralised, distributed wherever possible to local institutions and to the family which it regards as the building block of society.

The Catholic Social Teaching lens can help us navigate this change of era See Jenny Sinclair's full talk: https://togetherforthecommongood.co.uk/f rom-jenny-sinclair/the-relational-church

Page 14. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

Book Reviews The Divine Mercy & Sister Faustina Fr Andrew Witko £3.95

CTS Product Code: D650 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781860820786 www.ctsbooks.org Beloved by Pope St John Paul II, devotion to the Divine Mercy has grown in popularity since its humble beginnings in Poland. Yet few know the details of its origins or of the devotion itself. That fascinating story is told here.

Beginning in 1931, Jesus appeared to a Polish nun called Sr Faustina Kowalska. He requested an image of himself to be painted, inscribed with the words "Jesus, I trust in You", promising that "the soul that will venerate this image will not perish."

Pope John Paul II has described the Divine Mercy as an antibiotic for the illnesses of the contemporary world. But while devotion to the Divine Mercy has grown in popularity, few know the details of its origins or of the devotion itself. This booklet offers this information, beginning with the life of St Faustina, it relates her journey to join the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, her visions of Jesus and his request for the creation of the Divine Mercy image. The devotion itself is also explained, with detail about the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Divine Mercy devotions and prayers are also included.

St Joseph: Prayers and Devotions Catholic Truth Society £3.95

CTS Product Code: D772 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781860829109 www.ctsbooks.org This booklet combines a treasury of prayers to St Joseph with the powerful history of devotion to the saint, while also unpacking his role in the infancy narratives. A must for any devotee of St Joseph.

Although St Joseph was not Jesus' biological father, many saints have testified over the years to the power of his prayers and to their own fervent devotion to him. In this booklet, deepen your own devotion to the beloved foster father of Our Lord with a vast array of prayers, consecration prayers, novenas, hymns and readings.

This collection of prayers is combined with the powerful history of devotion to St Joseph. Discover the origins of this devotion and how it spread over the centuries, while also exploring the importance of his role in the life of Jesus.

Both practical and simple, this is an essential book for any devotee or would-be devotee of St Joseph.

A Simple Rosary Book Catholic Truth Society £3.50

CTS Product Code: D776 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781860829253 www.ctsbooks.org Designed for those familiar with the prayer as well as for newcomers, this text clearly explains how to pray the Rosary.

Prayers and Scripture passages associated with the Rosary are also included.

Enriched by the history, customs and scripture that surround the Holy Rosary, many today are rediscovering this prayer which lies at the heart of Catholic spirituality. Through ‘this school of prayer’ (St John Paul II) disciples grow in love for Christ through Mary, mother of the Lord.

Designed for those familiar with the prayer as well as for newcomers, this text clearly explains how to pray the Rosary. Prayers and Scripture passages associated with the Rosary are also included.

The Christian Faith: A Mini Catechism for Catholics Fr Stephen Wang £3.50

CTS Product Code: DO904 Please refer to this code when ordering over the phone ISBN: 9781784690632 www.ctsbooks.org Here, in 73 concise articles, the core ideas of the Christian faith are expressed, in a nutshell – with clear and accurate explanations providing a mini-catechism for all

enquirers.This booklet presents the Christian faith in a series of 73 concise articles. Each article expresses, in a nutshell, the core ideas about a wide range of topics as they are found in the Catholic tradition. The aim is to give food for thought, clear and accurate explanations and so to provide a minicatechism of the most important elements of the Christian faith. While the richness and beauty of faith cannot be expressed in mere words, the right words can encourage us to explore it more deeply.

him at the table before accompanying him to the cross.The main purpose of the book is to encourage the reader to think about Jesus’ journey and their own. How can the story of Jesus throw light on your own?

A Lenten Camino

Product Code: 1863 ISBN NO:9780852315682 www.rpbooks.co.uk

By Sr Janet Fearns FMDM £5.95 PRODUCT CODE: 1909 ISBN NO:9780852316085 www.rpbooks.co.uk

Is Lent your pilgrimage towards Easter?

Every day, you and Jesus ask each other, “Who do you say I am?” and journey together towards an answer which will keep you together forever. Lent is a special time for asking that question and hearing the answer. You don’t need a rucksack or walking boots. You don’t need to travel – except inside your heart. The daily reflections of A Lenten Camino follow the Camino Inglés route to Santiago de Compostela in a Lenten pilgrimage towards Easter and the new life of the resurrection. “Buen camino!” inside your heart.

Due to popular demand, we are doing a short print run of this wonderful book.

Journeying With Jesus

By Fr Denis McBride £14.95 Product Code: 1467 ISBN No:9780852313589 www.rpbooks.co.uk

Journeying with Jesus is a deeply spiritual and lavishly resourced programme of study for those who want to journey side by side with our Lord during Lent, either individually or in small groups. We begin our journey in the wilderness and finally sit with

A Word for Lent A Workbook for Groups and Individuals

By Denis McBride C.Ss.R & Janet Fearns £4.95

Whether alone or in a group, these Lenten Sunday Gospel reflections provide stimulating insights and ways into deepening personal prayer and commitment to Jesus.

They are simple, practical, down-to-earth, heart-warming, challenging, and open up fresh possibilities for deepening discipleship and loving friendship with Jesus.

The Road to Emmaus and Beyond

By Fr Denis McBride £9.95 Product Code: 1815 ISBN NO:9780852315248 www.rpbooks.co.uk

A revised, special edition of Emmaus – the gracious visit of God. A best-selling classic which has had 4 reprints, and was originally published by Dominican Publications.

Following the death of Jesus in Jerusalem, two disappointed disciples leave the city of lost hopes and head away. They meet a mysterious stranger who helps them reinterpret the past in a new light, giving them fresh hope. For many people, the story of Emmaus is the most moving of the resurrection narratives, and Denis McBride’s reflections uncover the depth and beauty of Luke’s unique scene. The story gives Christians a perfect reminder of coming to know Jesus as Lord in the Eucharist.

The Catholic Post. February 2024. Page 15.

New campaign launched to encourage people to Give Prayer A Go

Lenten retreat:

‘Transformed

by Love’ cliftondiocese.com

rcsouthwark.org.uk

‘Light of Truth’: as Dominican Sisters, our mission is to proclaim the Gospel by our lives and words

The Archdiocese of Southwark has launched a new campaign to encourage people to Give Prayer A Go and welcome Christ into their hearts.

People often speak of barriers to prayer, which can range from feeling their lives are too busy to take a moment or that they are unsure where to start.

Clifton Diocese in partnership with ‘Light of Truth’ are offering a Lenten retreat: ‘Transformed by Love’ in six online sessions, contemplating God’s grace at work in the lives of six persons, through scripture and artworks.

The six sessions begin at 7.30pm on a Tuesday evening: 5 March, 12 March, 19 March, 26 March.

Give Prayer A Go aims to help people overcome these perceived barriers, by providing them with practical and engaging tips and resources to help them build a stronger relationship with the Lord Jesus through prayer.

To sign up for the series, visit cliftondiocese.com and search for 'Lenten retreat.

The campaign coincides with the Year of Prayer, designated by Pope Francis, as the Catholic Church prepares for the Year of Jubilee in 2025.

Speaking about the power of prayer, The Most Reverend John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark said: “Prayer is strength for the weak. It’ll never make things worse and only make them better.

“The biggest challenge to praying is just beginning, but you can only learn to ride a bicycle by trying it out. It’s the same with prayer – you just need to give it a go.

“Even just by praying the Our Father – the prayer the Lord Jesus taught us – when we wake up and as we go to sleep will make a difference.

“If we ask, we will be heard. If we seek, we will be found. If we knock, the Lord Jesus will open the door. So, pray. Pray to welcome Christ into your hearts. Go on, give prayer a go.”

2. helping people overcome perceived barriers to prayer, by showing the various ways you can welcome Christ into your hearts.

3. giving people ideas, resources and tips to pray. From quotes from Saints to simple steps to follow to turn your mind and heart to the Lord Jesus.

4. advertising prayer events across the Archdiocese, such as highlighting prayer groups, adoration and the rosary; as well as explaining the different types of prayers, so as many people as possible can feel included.

The beauty of the Give Prayer A Go campaign is that anyone can get involved and its simple, you just need to pray and let Christ into your hearts.

Archbishop John launched the campaign with a video asking people to Give Prayer A Go. The Give Prayer A Go campaign will share a range of content, from social media graphics, to explainers about prayer. The activities will include:

An online wall has been established by the Archdiocese, to give people a chance to write their own prayers and share their experiences of prayer and the difference it has made to their lives. To write your own prayer, you can do so by heading to the Archdiocese of Southwark’s website: rcsouthwark.org.uk/faith/GivePrayerAGo

1. sharing testimonies of prayer, from how prayer has people overcome difficult situations to how prayer has enriched lives.

The campaign will run throughout 2024 and will look to build momentum as the Catholic Church prepares for the Jubilee 2025.

‘Light of Truth’: as Dominican Sisters, our mission is to proclaim the Gospel by our lives and words. We are in the UK, in the New Forest, and live a community life of prayer and praise, of study and preaching, according to our Dominican tradition. With ‘Light of Truth’, we hope to share with everyone the fruits of our contemplation: the fruit of our prayer, of our academic formation and of our rich experience of working with adults, catechists and young people at the services of parishes and dioceses in the last 25 years. Through ‘Light of Truth’, we aim to offer a formation which will provide a rich experience of the fraternal life of our community and of the fellowship of the Church. Partnering with expert lay formators, we want to offer the best content and the best experience possible to help everyone grow in faith, hope and charity.

You can find other courses run by ‘Light of Truth’ here: www.lightoftruth.uk/join

Page 16. The Catholic Post. February 2024.

Get ready for CAFOD’s Lenten Family Fast Day CAFOD

“Fishing means a lot to me. Sending my children to school is because of fishing.

Everything that I do, that I live on is fishing.

God first, then fishing is my life.”

Lent begins early this year with Ash Wednesday falling on February 14 and CAFOD’s Family Fast day is on Friday February 23.

Our focus story is on a young man called James Pyne, a fisherman in Liberia. His father taught him how to fish when he was 12.

James said: “I didn’t want to fish but my father told me that when you are a man, you can’t depend on one thing. You have to learn many things because you do not know where you will find yourself tomorrow.

“Fishing means a lot to me. Sending my children to school is because of fishing.

Everything that I do, that I live on is fishing. God first, then fishing is my life.”

In 2005, James rowed 200 kilometres from his home in River Cess to start a new life in New Kru Town. He spent five years establishing himself before his family came to join him, but despite all his work, life was difficult.

He said: “Before I joined the CAFOD project I was using my traditional methods in my fishing activities. I was not going too far. If I went further, I would not be able to see the shore and I could lose my way back home.

“It wasn’t through choice that we were fishing around the shore side but based on the equipment we used. It wouldn’t allow us to go to a far distance. So it was difficult but we had to do it because it was all that we could afford to do.

“Sometimes I got no catch at all because I was not going far out. That was one of the reasons why I had to send my children home, out of school.

“Sometimes there would be no food for that day. I would tell them, bear with Daddy, things will get better and we are going to hold on together. It was very difficult.”

James was risking everything to put food on his family’s table. Five fishermen a month in James’

C R O S S WO R D

community were losing their lives at sea, people James called brothers.

CAFOD funded on-land and at-sea safety training for fishermen in James’ community and provided equipment to help them navigate and stay safe.

He told us: “The CAFOD project introduced many things in our village. We were able to get life jackets, we have a signal mirror and we were able to get the fish finder with the GPS. “The CAFOD training made me braver at sea and I’m not using the traditional methods like before.”

When he was in the paddle canoe, he could only go six or seven nautical miles, but with the GPS he can now go above 70 nautical miles and using the fish finder he can catch more fish because he can travel at sea any time he chooses, even at night.

James says: “I got more food. I feel good because I used to buy rice by the cup but now I can buy it in 25 kilogram bags. And when I go fishing, I’ve got my fridge, I’ve got fresh fish.”

James used the money he made from catching more fish to buy a bigger boat with an engine.

He now hires and trains young fishermen,

2-in-1 Crossw

James, Cynthia and their son Messi on the beach at New Kru Town, Liberia Photo courtesy of Carielle Doe, Caritas and Development Office, Monrovia passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

“It is my prayer that I want the project to continue and the fishermen with the GPS will go further and bring more fish and the community will be developed.”

Your donations this Fast Day will help hardworking people like James to get the tools they need to feed their families. Please give what you can and remember to pray for our work. For whatever you can do, thank you!

or by

You can use both sets of clues to solve the puzzle: the solutions are the same.

18

Blunder losing front part of the church (4) QUICK Across 5 Jericho 'sinner' who, having Jesus to his house, subsequently gave half his property to the poor (9) 8 Rocky plateau at the foot of which the Nabataeans carved the city of Petra (4) 9 Of people from an ancient part of Babylonia, home to Abraham (8) 10 Abbot of Glastonbury, and Archbishop of Canterbury from 959 (7) 12 Canaanite city rebuilt by Solomon, along with Megiddo and Gezer (5) 14 Composer brothers (Franz) Josef and Michael (5) 15 Capital of the biblical Northern Kingdom of Israel (7) 17 Levite David appointed as a leader of the Temple music (8) 18 Pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (4) 19 Seventh Sunday after Easter (9) QUICK Down 1 Town in the Bible, the scene of the water-into-wine miracle (4) 2 Schism between Rome and the East, 482-519, named after the Patriarch of Constantinople (7) 3 Moabite king who hired Balaam to curse Israel (5) 4 Place of assembly and worship for Sikhs (8) 6 Holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims (9) 7 Conforming to the recognized rules of cathedral clergy (9)

11 Member of an ancient Jewish sect denying the resurrection and the existence of angels (8) 13 Canaanite city; later one of the cities of the Levites (7) 16 Link between Carmelites, Magdalenes, Cistercian Monks, Premonstratensians – and Christmas! (5) 18 Angular or round section often found in the western part of a church (4) Across: 5 Zacchaeus, 8 Sela, 9 Chaldean, 10 Dunstan, 12 Hazor, 14 Haydn, 15 Samaria, 17 Jeduthun, 18 Ahab, 19 Pentecost. Down: 1 Cana, 2 Acacian, 3 Balak, 4 Gurdwara, 6 Jerusalem, 7 Canonical, 11 Sadducee, 13 Taanach, 16 White, 18 Apse.

CRYPTIC Across 5 God invites in accountant, about to have tea with the taxman (9) 8 Cliff in Edom drinks, backsliding (4) 9 With Capone's acceptance into church official, it's almost Babylonian (8) 10 Old Archbishop of Canterbury could be Brown's double (7) 12 Golden cloud, virtually, is seen to the west of Canaanite city (5) 14 He wrote masses; marginally down after book fair (5) 15 Song uncle's preferred to old capital (7) 17 Jude Hunt is an alias for David's Levite (8) 18 Other half of Jezebel is primarily as hard and brazen (4) 19 16 mostly responsible for this festival? (9) CRYPTIC Down 1 Get a mug over here for the wine miracle (4) 2 Scots chap supporting two accounts leads to a schism (7) 3 British king's framed in the style of an OT monarch (5) 4 Sikhs meet here to condemn a drug war (8) 6 James' rule to rewrite the Bible? (9) 7 Hours in church after weird icon appears during passage (9) 11 Cleric's in front, ahead of the leading Essene Jew (8) 13 Canaanite city's discovered thanks to an article on a church (7) 16 Caucasian Carmelite cleric's gone missing (5)

SOLUTION