Catholic Pic February 2023

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- Pope Francis

Welcome

We pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI who died on Saturday 31 December. He made history in 2013 by becoming the first Pope for almost 600 years to resign and many people will remember him for this alone, but he was far more than that. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, a good shepherd, an outstanding theologian and a kind, gentle man of prayer. This month we look at the tributes paid to the Pope Emeritus, give thanks for his life and hear an account of his Funeral Mass. May he rest in peace.

In the early hours of New Year’s Day Sister Anthony Wilson SND MBE died peacefully at the Notre Dame Convent in Childwall aged 99. She was head of the art department at Notre Dame Training College for 25 years and after her ‘retirement’ became Art Director at the Metropolitan Cathedral and with her volunteers was responsible for bringing the inner grey walls of our Cathedral to life. In her later years she kept in touch with her friends, providing a listening ear, and was united with them in prayer. May the Lord who she loved and served so faithfully grant her rich reward and may she rest in joy and peace.

From the Archbishop’s Desk

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

Among my Christmas gifts was Derek Scally’s excellent book on the Church and State in Ireland, ‘The Best Catholics in the World’. It is a fine mixture of personal stories, history and journalism which cast a unique light on Catholicism in Ireland. It’s a good read, easy to dip in and out of, and would be of special interest to those of us who have Irish heritage.

My reading of this coincided with a visit to St Patrick’s College in Maynooth which used to be the largest seminary in Ireland. In its vast and beautiful buildings and chapels it accommodated nine hundred seminarians in its heyday. There are no more that twenty-five men in formation and St Patrick’s is the last remaining Irish seminary. It is as though the Catholic Church in Ireland has fallen off a cliff. I was quite shocked by the scale and pace of the decline of the Irish Church. It is more apparent in urban dioceses than in the rural areas. But despite these very stark facts the Irish bishops I met were not downhearted; they were realistic and full of hope for the future even though they are uncertain where it is going. With hindsight it is easy to see where things went wrong, and Derek Scally’s excellent work helps us understand this – we may even learn lessons for the present and future, but the reason the Irish bishops are hopeful is because they are very aware of the Holy Spirit’s enduring presence in Ireland and its people.

Editor Peter Heneghan

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Contents

4 Main Feature Church says farewell to Benedict XVI

7 Sunday Reflections

Liturgy and Life

8 From the archives

Good and peaceable citizens

10 News

News from around the Archdiocese

17 Cathedral Record

Annual Archdiocesan Civic Mass

Come and Sing

18 What’s On

Whats happening in the Archdiocese

27 Animate Youth Ministry

Why mission weeks matter

28 Pic Extras

Mums the word

News from the KSC

29 Nugent News

Returning to Canada

Upcoming events with Nugent

30 Dialogue and Unity

Racial Justice – a challenge to us all

Church says farewell to Benedict XVI

by Simon Hart

‘Kindness, joy and humility.’ These were the words that L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, chose when summing up the qualities of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on its front page in the wake of his death on 31 December.

Here in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon responded to the news of the former pontiff’s passing with similar words. ‘A gracious, kind and gentle man,’ he said of Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 95, a decade after he had resigned as Pope citing failing health.

The Pope Emeritus had been living in the Vatican and it was there – in the Vatican Grottoes – that he was buried following a Requiem Mass on the morning of Thursday 5 January. Some 60,000 people gathered in the cold in St Peter’s Square for a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. It was the first time in over 200 years that a reigning Pontiff had blessed the body of his predecessor before burial.

The Archdiocese of Liverpool marked Pope Emeritus Benedict’s passing with

a Mass at 11.00 am in the Metropolitan Cathedral on New Year’s Day and another at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 10 January.

Archbishop Malcolm said of him: ‘Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is in my thoughts and prayers as I remember a gracious, kind and gentle man who was courteous and welcoming to all he met. These qualities shone through his Papal ministry and in his years of prayerful support for the Church following his retirement in 2013.’

The Archbishop cited a personal encounter with Benedict in Rome, during his time as a Cardinal in 2002. ‘I was given half an hour yet we chatted for nearly an hour,’ he recalled. ‘He was so affable and friendly and he just came across as an entirely different person from the one I’d read about in the press.

‘He remembered you when you went to see him. He was like that with everyone – a personal word for people. He was a real gentleman.’

According to Archbishop Malcolm, the late Pope Emeritus was a man

‘I remember a gracious, kind and gentle man who was courteous and welcoming to all he met.’

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon hails a ‘kind and gentle man’ after the passing of the Pope Emeritus on New Year’s Eve.

Pope Francis at the Requiem Mass

for whom study and prayer were very similar and whose greatest legacy will be the wisdom found in his writings. These included his three encyclicals: ‘Deus caritas est’ (2005), ‘Spe salvi’ (2007) and ‘Caritas in veritate’ (2009).

The Archbishop explained: ‘He was not only a great theologian, he was a great writer and able to put things across so that ordinary people, who do not have theological training, will understand the message.’

‘The German shepherd’

For Father Sean Riley, who travelled to Rome for the funeral, there was something particularly significant about Benedict’s first encyclical, ‘Deus caritas est’.

He said: ‘People thought he would start with something really doctrinal yet ‘Deus caritas est’ was his first encyclical – God is love.

‘He was elected when I was halfway through my seminary formation and I always felt an affinity to him through his theology, particularly his studies of the fathers of the Church,’ added Father Sean, as he reflected on his desire to say a personal farewell to the Pope Emeritus.

‘The press portrayed him as the “Panzer Cardinal”, or God’s Rottweiler, but he was the German shepherd. He always spoke with gentleness. It was thought he’d be a great enforcer yet he sought to deepen communion within the Church and to speak to the world about the centrality of Christ.’

Father Sean was struck by the ‘reverential silence’ he encountered inside St Peter’s on the day before the funeral, as Benedict XVI lay in state. Late that afternoon he saw people from ‘all parts of the world’ come together to say the Rosary for the response of his soul.

‘I always felt an affinity to him through his theology, particularly with his studies of the fathers of the Church.’

Father Sean Riley

‘It was a very beautiful and simple Requiem Mass the next morning,’ added Father Sean, noting that this simplicity is just what Benedict would have wanted - not only to indicate he was no longer Pope - but also given his description of himself as a ‘humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord’ following his election as the 265th Pope in April 2005.

In a short homily, Pope Francis said: ‘Like the women at the tomb, we too have come with the fragrance of gratitude and the balm of hope, in order to show him once more the love that is undying.

‘We want to do this with the same wisdom, tenderness and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years. Together, we want to say: “Father, into your hands we commend his spirit”.’

A life less ordinary

Benedict XVI was born as Joseph Ratzinger in Marktl am Inn in the diocese of Passau in Germany on 16 April 1927. Son of a police commissioner, he spent his formative years in Traunstein, a small village near the Austrian border, less than 20 miles from Salzburg.

As a teenager he was forced to join the Hitler Youth and conscripted into antiaircraft work. He witnessed the hostility towards the Catholic Church from the Nazi regime and later reflected how ‘the brutality of the system, its totally inhuman face, turned me instead to the right path’.

From 1946 to 1951 he studied Philosophy and Theology in the Higher School of Philosophy and Theology of Freising and at the University of Munich. Following his ordination as a priest in June 1951, he began teaching theology in Freising and, after completing his doctorate, was subsequently a lecturer in Bonn, Munster, Tubingen and Regensburg.

In 1962, the future Pontiff became a theological consultant to Cardinal Joseph Frings at the Second Vatican Council. He was appointed Archbishop of Munich and Freising in 1977 and chose as his episcopal motto ‘Co-operators of the truth’. Explaining why, he reflected that ‘in today’s world the theme of truth is omitted almost entirely, as something too great for man, and yet everything collapses if truth is missing.’

In the same year, Pope Paul VI made him a Cardinal and his subsequent roles inside the Vatican included Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the International Theological Commission. Between 1986-92 he was President of the Preparatory Commission for the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In 1998 Pope John Paul II made him ViceDean of the College of Cardinals and he was elected Dean four years later. With his election as Pope on 19 April 2005 he became the oldest person elected Pontiff since 1730.

For British Catholics, a highlight of his papacy was his four-day visit to Britain from 16-19 September 2010. It began with him being received by Queen Elizabeth II in Edinburgh and ended in the West Midlands where he beatified Cardinal John Henry Newman at an open-air Mass in Birmingham.

Archbishop Malcolm said: ‘His visit in 2010 will be remembered for the joy he brought to the Church and the support which he gave to so many in this country.’

On 11 February 2013, Benedict XVI announced his intention to resign, becoming the first Pontiff to do so in almost 600 years.

‘After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,’ he explained.

He lived the last years of his life in the Vatican, in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, devoting himself to prayer and meditation.

St Peter’s Square during the Requiem Mass

Archbishop Malcolm celebrates Mass for Pope Benedict XVI

On a liturgical note

On the 22nd day of February, we keep Ash Wednesday and the beginning of our Lenten preparation for the great feasts of Easter.

We say feasts of Easter because, just like Christmas, after we have spent so much time preparing (40 days), Easter is not just a one-day celebration but rather it sets off a ‘chain reaction’. Resurrection leads to Ascension and to the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost … and then the time of Pentecost in which we are living, the time of the Holy Spirit who leads us to the complete truth of who Jesus is and who teaches us, in turn, how to ‘translate’ that truth into our own way of living.

No sooner were the Christmas puddings removed from the shelves than the Easter eggs appeared – and so the society around us (or at least the shopping aspect of it!) moved on relentlessly to ‘the next big thing’. However, as we said about Advent so too with Lent: slow down, pace yourself and let the season shape you rather than the other way around!

Sunday thoughts

I had been ordained a number of years and was at the bedside of a dying parishioner. We were saying the rosary. It suddenly hit me that I had been saying the Hail Mary over and over again since childhood. But it was only at that moment I understood the full impact of the words ‘Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death’.

I was reminded of this when seeking out the Church’s teaching on assisted suicide. The people of the Isle of Man are being consulted on the possible introduction of a bill legalising ‘assisted dying’. This would place the island in a more liberal position than the United Kingdom. One fear is that, if such legislation were successful, the island might become the first choice for UK residents seeking assisted suicide.

I was surprised to find that it is already legal in so many countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, parts of the United States and all six states of Australia.

It is interesting to see how current practice in those countries has developed in spite of the safeguarding clauses in their original legislation. In one Canadian province where assisted dying has been legal for more than 15 years,

Canon Philip Gillespie

One very practical way of letting this happen is to take the liturgy of each day of Lent as our material for reading and reflecting. If you have a daily missal then use that; alternately, some of you may have a publication such as Magnificat or even prefer to use an app on your computer or mobile phone to access the liturgy. However you do it, we should try to allow the Liturgy of the Church to enrich our days.

The prayers, reflections and Scripture readings which go to make up the liturgy are the distillation of centuries of prayed experience so we can readily rely on it as a sure guide for our own praying in this Year of Our Lord 2023 and the deepening of our closeness to the God who wishes to be so close to us.

pure heart create for me, O God

Put a steadfast spirit within me’ (Psalm 50, used at the Ash Wednesday Mass)

Revealing God’s love and grace

Norah was an elderly woman that I met when I was a deacon.

In her late seventies, she was the sort of woman who could easily fade into the background. She was, seemingly, insignificant. I met her most days at Mass but apart from a beaming smile and a quick hello, I didn’t get to know her at all. So I decided to visit her and find out a little about her life

Like many people in Vauxhall, she had been born in the area and lived within a square mile all her life. She and her family lived in one of Liverpool’s famous courts and she used to beg in Scotland Road’s markets. Eventually the courts were demolished and Norah moved into a tenement block with her parents. The tenements were eventually demolished and Norah, by herself now, was rehoused in the flat that I was sitting in. She seemed to have very few needs and was content in her life. She filled her day by ‘helping out’, she said.

Mgr John Devine OBE

10 per cent of registered deaths are now by assisted suicide. In the Netherlands, doctors are obliged to include assisted suicide when discussing treatment options for a patient diagnosed with cancer. In another jurisdiction more than 50 per cent of those opting for assisted dying cite their desire to no longer be a burden on their families.

In the UK, pictures of ambulance queues and patients on trolleys in A&E might lead some to ask why those ‘blocking’ hospital beds should not be encouraged to consider assisted dying as an alternative. It would solve the funding crisis in the NHS – one more example of the ‘slippery slope’ argument. Speaking in February 2022, Pope Francis said that the dying need palliative care, not euthanasia or assisted suicide. He praised palliative care aimed at helping terminally-ill patients live as comfortably and humanely as possible: ‘We must accompany people towards death, but not provoke death or facilitate assisted suicide.’

He commended Saint Joseph as the ‘patron saint of the good death’ and reminded his listeners that, in the Hail Mary, Catholics ask the Virgin Mary to be close ‘at the hour of our death’.

As I got more used to the area, I began to visit several community projects, food banks, nurseries, credit unions, pensioners’ clubs and wherever I went, I met Norah. These were the ‘few things’ that Norah ‘helped out’ at.

I discovered she was one of the main people behind the credit union. She had founded the mother and toddler group and the pensioners’ group. In her quiet, deprecating way she had not really wanted me to know what she did in case I thought she was blowing her own trumpet.

One day I was in the mother and toddler group and Norah was on the floor with a couple of babies crawling over her. I sat down next to one of the mums who was at pains to tell me that she didn’t really believe in God. Then her eyes filled up and she nodded at Norah and said to me: ‘But if I did, I’d find God in that woman.’

You see, the face of God can be found in the most ordinary of people. These people may well have had an ignominious start in life. They may well have nothing much to show for their years on Earth other than – and this is everything – a depth of compassion and love which has its roots in God. Our lives, if we want them to, can be a revelation of the mystery of Christ and the love He pours out on the world. We are called to serve and in serving to reveal the face of God. Let’s pray for the courage to get involved in the world and be channels of God’s love and grace.

Father Chris Thomas

‘A

from the archives

Good and peaceable citizens

by Neil Sayer, Archdiocesan Archivist

In spite of heavy rain, the band of St Edward’s Orphanage played outside the Pro Cathedral of St Nicholas. Ascending Copperas Hill from the Adelphi Hotel on a soggy December day in 1935, the procession passed by members of the Knights of St Columba and the Catholic Young Men’s Society to be met by a guard of honour of Girl Guides. The congregation, it was said, was the largest ever assembled for a Civic Sunday in a Catholic place of worship.

It was also the first time the Lord Mayor’s state visit was headed by a Catholic, though admittedly on this occasion Austin Harford was merely deputising for Robert Hall. It wasn’t until 1943 that Alderman Harford became Liverpool’s first Catholic Lord Mayor in his own right. Courteously, Mayor Hall in 1935 allowed him the use of the state coach as transport from the Town Hall, and the city’s officials in wigs and bicorn hats bore the civic regalia as Archbishop Downey occupied his throne for the ceremony. The procession included two Admirals, several members of Parliament, magistrates, consuls and representatives of the university, the Chamber of Commerce and other public bodies and religious organisations in the city of Liverpool.

We can’t promise the same degree of pageantry at the Metropolitan Cathedral this month, but the Civic Mass is still a treasured event, held there almost every year since the Cathedral opened in 1967. For reasons lost in the mists of time, it has moved from autumn to February or March, but it is still one of the Lord Mayor’s three official visits to receive the prayers and acclamation of the city’s Anglican, Catholic and Jewish communities for the Mayor’s year of office. In 1935 Archbishop Downey had offered prayers and promised the loyalty of the Catholic community to the Lord Mayor, and in 1977 Archbishop Worlock said in his first sermon to the Liverpool Civic Mass, ‘I gladly pledge myself and the community I represent to the service and renewal of the City of which we are so proud to be part.’ By the 1980s, though, there were subtle shifts in both the purpose of and attendance at the event. The pageantry was similar, with ceremonial robes and regalia and processions, and the presence of the Merseyside Police Band. But with the short-

lived Merseyside County Council, the local civic leaders expanded in number. Today, those invited include representatives of the Merseyside Lieutenancy, members of the judiciary, the universities and the consular corps, as well as guests from local authorities across all the mainland areas of the archdiocese, and other distinguished citizens.

Not surprisingly, given the audience, Civic Mass sermons can venture into politics, as when Archbishop Worlock was advocating for urban regeneration in Liverpool, or they may be a plug for forthcoming events, as with the Papal visit in 1982. Much earlier, Archbishop Keating had given an address for the Mayor’s Sunday in 1922, shortly after the Russian revolution. Whilst there was then concern for the spread of communism and anarchy, he noted that ‘the vast majority are always good and peaceable citizens … when the fury of revolution has spent itself, social order and stable government resume’. Generally, though, the homilies offer a celebration of and thanksgiving for public service. In 1995 Archbishop Worlock said, ‘To all of you here today who give service to our City community and the County of Merseyside I offer sincere thanks. To your wives, or partners, or families whose self-sacrifice and shouldering of additional responsibilities enables those in office to play the role for which we honour them today, again my most sincere thanks.’ Archbishop Downey, when he praised Austin Harford as ‘he has always championed the cause of his fellow Catholics’, urged ‘that we shall strive to secure worthy legislators and competent rulers; and, sometimes, even that we ourselves shall not shrink from the burden of public office.’

Let us remember some of those who did not shrink: Austin Crowe, first Catholic mayor of Warrington in 1933, Simon Mahon and Nicholas Cullen, among many Catholic mayors of Bootle, and Novello Fairhurst, another pioneering Catholic as trade unionist, magistrate and mayor of Leigh in 1929. They were all part of what Archbishop Worlock characterised as ‘a community of mutual concern, justice and integrity.’

Archbishop Malcolm will celebrate this year’s Civic Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Sunday 19 February at 11.00 am. All welcome.

Archbishop Beck welcomes the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Alderman Charles Cowlin, out of the city state coach for the 1972 Civic Mass

At the end of 2021, more than 274,000 people were recorded as homeless in England, including 126,000 children.

News diary A community celebration

By Father Giorgio Miles

After living in Italy for almost 12 years and helping in a busy parish there, I returned to England in 2019 and received permission from my own bishop to live in the Wigan area as my family were all living in the area.

I was invited to live in the presbytery at St Cuthbert’s in Wigan and work half-time in the parish with Father Aidan Kelly, the parish priest. During my time there I built up our links with two of the schools in the parish as I have always believed our Catholic schools are an integral part of our Church community. I work on the principle that the local Church is a combination of our parish, our schools and our homes.

If you’ve got any news from your parish that you’d like featured e-mail us with the details at: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk

When Father Kelly announced his retirement, I was delighted when Archbishop Malcom appointed me as the new parish priest in this wonderful community under the care and patronage of St Edward the Confessor.

Father Kelly had begun the construction of a shrine to St Edward in St Cuthbert’s church with the statue of the saint from the original St Edward’s church which was demolished. I was pleased to bring this project to fruition and had asked Bishop Tom Neylon to celebrate Mass and dedicate the new shrine on the Feast of St

Ukrainian New Year in the Isle of Man

The parish of St Mary’s and St Columba’s in the south of the Isle of Man has made its hall available for activities for Ukrainian refugees in the area. On 14 January parishioners were pleased to join some of our refugee families as they celebrated the Ukrainian New Year.

Edward. So, it was very fortunate that my appointment document arrived a few days before and Bishop Tom kindly agreed to induct me as parish priest at the same Mass.

Like many parishes these days we are made up of three previous parishes and so the induction offered us an opportunity to celebrate as a whole community from across the combined parish.

For me relationship with other faith communities is very important. We are all called to serve those in our local communities and we can do that best when we serve and speak as one when we can.

I was delighted when The Reverend. Neil Cook, the Team Leader for the Church of England in Wigan accepted my invitation to join us and take part in the service. We are planning to develop some projects together. I was also delighted when Quddoos Hafeez from the Ahmaddya Muslim Association also accepted my invitation. During the liturgy we agreed to maintain links of friendship, to work together where we can and to speak as one voice in matters we have a shared position on.

I am very grateful to Archbishop Malcolm for entrusting this wonderful parish into my care. I look forward to developing a fully collaborative ministry here.

Bishop Tom Neylon and Father Giorgio

The dedication of the Shrine of St Edward

Obituary of Sister Anthony SND MBE

Sister Anthony Wilson SND, former Head of the Art Department at Notre Dame Training College and Art Director at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday 1 January aged 99 and had been a Sister of Notre Dame for 78 years.

Sister Anthony was born in Liverpool, near the Anglican Cathedral, on 10 February 1923. When she was five years old the family moved to the West Derby area of Liverpool. She attended Broughton Hall School and later Seafield Convent after her family moved to Crosby.

In 1941 she began studying art, craft and geography at Notre Dame Training College, Mount Pleasant and after completing her course in 1943 began teaching in the kindergarten of the Mount Pleasant High School. She then felt the need to follow her vocation and entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Notre Dame at Ashdown.

Sister Anthony made her first vows in 1947 and was missioned to teach infants in London. She returned to Mount Pleasant in 1948 to teach art in the High School and also studied part time for a graduate degree and post-graduate diploma at the art school. In 1955 she moved to the College to teach and was appointed Head of the Art Department.

It was tribute to her work that by 1980 when Notre Dame merged with Christ’s College and moved to the same site as St Katherine’s College, the art department was the third largest in the college with eight staff, ten studios and student numbers that equalled Christ’s and St Katherine’s put together. It was at that time after 25 years as head of the art department Sister Anthony retired.

Hearing that she was leaving Mount Pleasant, the then Administrator of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Monsignor (later Bishop) Vincent Malone, asked her if she would consider becoming Art Director at the Cathedral. She accepted but first spent a few months in Rome where she looked after the Notre Dame house.

She started work at the Cathedral on 31 March 1981, literally from scratch as there was nothing in place and nowhere for her to work. She recalled, ‘in the end I found a space, a mezzanine area over the crypt, and I turned it into a beautiful studio, a gorgeous room.’ That studio rapidly became a hive of activity, especially with the visit of Pope St John Paul II taking place a little over a year later. The work of Sister Anthony and her volunteers became famous and as well as creating the banners which hang in the Cathedral, including the great banner commemorating that 1982 Papal Visit, commissions were also accepted from churches throughout the country.

In 1989 she was closely involved in the complex transfer of the magnificent Pentecost mosaic from Holy Ghost Church, Ford, to the Metropolitan Cathedral. She had known the Hungarian artist, Georg Mayer-Marton, when he had been senior lecturer at Liverpool College of Art where he had introduced the new subject of mural art.

Sister Anthony created her own community of volunteers at the Cathedral including her Friday evening group, especially for young people. Although busy she never forgot her pastoral vocation and was always ready to listen to and help those around her.

In 1998 she was appointed MBE for services to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and was invested by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

She continued to work at the Cathedral, gradually handing over to those whom she had trained, until her late eighties and then retired and lived in the Notre Dame community in Childwall. She kept in touch with many of her friends, providing a listening ear, and in her later years was united with them in prayer.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Notre Dame Convent in Childwall on Tuesday 17 January prior to burial at Parbold.

BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ presenter Pam Rhodes was a friend of Sister Anthony for many years and paid this tribute:

‘Sister Anthony was one of the first people I met through my role as television presenter on “Songs of Praise”, but that was the start of a wonderful friendship that’s lasted more than thirty years. What an engaging, inspirational, creative and skilful lady Sister Anthony was - and I will cherish my memories of her as much for the insight and wisdom in faith she gave me, as for the tips she’s shared on how to make the creamiest coffee and the best Coronation Chicken. After a life devoted to the God she loved, she is now with her Lord who blessed her long life and ministry for the benefit of so many.’

The great banner commemorating the 1982 Papal Visit

Take part in the Liverpool Lourdes Centenary Bunny Hop

Many of our New Year resolutions about taking more exercise have now probably been forgotten. Lent is just around the corner, maybe we can renew that promise to ourselves and give up one of our favourite things such as chocolate, the odd glass or two of wine or our favourite latte. Doesn’t it always taste better on Easter Sunday, and we feel better for the sacrifice we have made?

However, after the abundance of chocolate on Easter Sunday for a perfect way to work the calories off and have a fun couple of hours why not take part in the Lourdes Easter Bunny Hop, and at the same time raise some sponsorship or make a donation towards funding assisted pilgrims to visit the shrine of Lourdes. This year is the centenary year of the Liverpool Lourdes Pilgrimage. Much interest was shown a few months ago when the relics of St Bernadette toured the UK and approximately 15,000 people visited the Metropolitan Cathedral and St Mary’s, Chorley to pray with the relics or attend one of the services.

This year’s pilgrimage will take place from Friday 21 to Friday 28 July. It is hoped that many Liverpool people will travel to the shrine in France during this week, and especially people who are sick or in need of spiritual healing.

The Bunny hop – or you can walk, run, push the pram or wheelchair or be in a wheelchair is only a five kilometre route, and funds raised

on this new event will help the costs of taking assisted pilgrims for the week.

Please do consider coming along and bring your family and friends every penny raised will be very well used during this special year.

So where and what time? The walk will take place in Lydiate starting at 11.00 am. More details in next month’s ‘Catholic Pic’ or contact Pat Murphy at mpmmurphypat@aol.com

Seminarian’s Christmas Gathering

Like so many other things, the annual Seminarian’s Christmas gathering was affected by the pandemic and so it was especially good to be able gather with Archbishop Malcolm for Mass and a meal on Friday 30 December at St Charles Church Aigburth.

We currently have seven men in formation for the priesthood. Paul is at the English College in Valladolid, Dan is at the Beda College in Rome and James and Martin are at the Venerable English College, Rome, while Rhys and Hugh are currently living in the Parish of St Charles and St Thomas More in Aigburth.

Regular discernment days are held throughout the year for men discerning a vocation to the priesthood. If you are interested in finding out more please contact the Vocations’ Director Father Ron by telephoning the Parish Office at St Charles on 0151 727 2493 or emailing r.johnson@rcaol.org.uk

Peace Sunday 2023

On Sunday 15 January Archbishop Malcolm celebrated Mass for the 56th World Peace Day at the Metropolitan Cathedral. This year’s message from Pope Francis was: ‘No-one can be saved alone. Combatting Covid-19 together, embarking together on paths of peace’.

Pope Francis spoke of the need to review our experience as individuals and communities, following the experience of Covid and to identify signs of ‘life and hope’ saying, ‘Certainly, after directly experiencing the fragility of our own lives and the world around us, we can say that the greatest lesson we learned from Covid19 was the realisation that we all need one another. That our greatest need and yet most fragile treasure is our shared humanity as brothers and sisters, children of God…and that none of us can be saved alone. Consequently, we urgently need to work together in seeking and promoting universal values that can guide the growth of this human fraternity.’

The Holy Father went on to lament the ‘virus of war’ in Ukraine and called all men and women of good will to work together as ‘artisans of peace’.

Archbishop Malcolm spoke of the shooting of mourners the previous day after a memorial service at St Aloysius RC church in Euston, London. He said that this act of violence particularly resonated with him as his mother had grown up in the area, and St Aloysius was the last church where the late Bruce Kent had served, as a priest, before embarking on full time work for peace and disarmament.

Referring to the readings (1 Corinthians 1:1-3 and John 1: 29-34), the archbishop said that because of our baptism, we have all been filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit and that we must not reject

this gift by failing to use it. Each of us must allow the Spirit to ‘set us alight for the salvation of the whole world’, beginning with peace in ourselves and working with others.

Pax Christi is the international Catholic peace movement which exists to promote peace and justice, based on Gospel values, through prayer, study and action. They had a stall with a display, prayer cards, leaflets and materials for children and families.

Members of the Merseyside group are available to support parishes and groups as we ‘embark together ‘on the path of peace. Contact: Jan Harper janharper1@yahoo.co.uk

Aisling Griffin, Youth Education Officer, works throughout England and Wales with schools and young people (including inset days). Contact: education@paxchristi.org.uk

Resources are available on the national website: www.paxchristi.org.uk

Dennis becomes a Citizen of Honour

Liverpool’s longest serving headteacher, Dennis Hardiman MBE, was admitted to the role of Citizen of Honour of the City of Liverpool in a ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday 14 December.

Dennis served St Sebastian’s Catholic Primary School in Fairfield for 37 years including 14 years, as headteacher of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School in Stoneycroft following the federation of the two schools in 2006. He was awarded an honorary MBE for services to education in 2017 - honorary because he is a US citizen, born in Long Island. He retired in 2020.

The ceremony was attended by Lady Mayoress Councillor Roz Gladden; Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson (Dennis was once her headteacher); Frank Cogley, former Director of Schools and Colleges for the Archdiocese of Liverpool; and The LordLieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell.

Lady Mayoress of Liverpool Councillor Roz Gladden said: ‘The City of Liverpool honours Dennis with the Citizen of Honour Award in recognition of his enormous contribution to education in the city including his compassion, intuition, outstanding leadership and tireless efforts to improve the lives of young people in our city.

‘Dennis was a much-loved head teacher who was respected by the children, staff, parents and local communities, and this honour is truly well deserved.’

Following the ceremony Dennis said, ‘It was a truly memorable evening shared with family, friends and colleagues, together with representatives from the local authority, the Archdiocese of Liverpool, ex-pupils and parents, all of whom made a contribution to this civic award.’

Archbishop Malcolm visits St Joseph’s

On Tuesday, 10 January, Archbishop Malcolm visited St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Leigh. He was warmly greeted by the Headteacher, Miss Daley and RE Leader Mrs Melling, before spending time talking to the school’s prayer group, the ‘Mini Vinnies.’

Miss Daley said, ‘Archbishop Malcolm is a friendly and knowledgeable man whose warmth and kindness has created a lovely memory for us all to hold dear. His visit was the perfect start to a new term and indeed the new year – 2023.’

They told him all about the work they completed together with the School Council and Eco-Council in the autumn term to help achieve the Cafod ‘Live Simply’ Award. This involved: visiting a local care home, holding a Macmillan coffee morning, raising funds for Cafod through a Harvest fundraiser, visits to the local Foodbank and a Christmas jumper swap. The Archbishop thanked the children and staff for their hard work.

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One child said, ‘I was so excited because I’ve never met a real Bishop before. He talked to us about how Jesus teaches us to be kind and help each other. I felt very special meeting him.’

During the visit, Archbishop Malcolm attended a whole school Assembly and blessed the bench and prayer bouquets made in the memory of Mrs Angela Blenkinship, the much-loved Chair of Governors who sadly died recently.

Archbishop Malcolm also took time to visit each class to talk to the children. They asked lots of questions and even got to hold his crozier and wear his mitre. Archbishop Malcolm praised the children for their excellent behaviour and commented on how smart they all looked.

Mrs Melling said, ‘The visit was a huge success and a fantastic opportunity for the children to meet such an esteemed leader of our Church. The children were very excited and delighted to meet him.’

Monday 10-11am Low Impact Exercise

A low impact exercise class designed for those that want to keep fit and active at a realistic pace. Particularly popular with people aged 65+

Price - £3.50 per class

Monday 11.15-12.15pm Yoga

A community yoga class open to all ages and abilities. Stretch, tone, improve balance etc. Also helps with relaxation and sleep. Spare mats available. Price - £4 per class

Monday 1.30-2.30pm Chair Based Yoga

Specifically for those who struggle to get up and down from the mat - the whole class is chair based. Price - £4 per class

Wednesday 10-11am Line Dancing

A fun class suitable for beginners & improvers. Arrive early for a cuppa Price - £3 per class

Wednesday 11.30-12.15pm Zumba

Perfect for adults who are looking for a Zumba® class that recre-ates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.

Price - £3 per class

Wednesday 6.15-7.15pm Yoga

A community yoga class open to all ages and abilities. Stretch, tone, improve balance etc. Also helps with relaxation and sleep. Spare mats available. Price - £5 per class or £20 for five classes

Thursday 11.30am-12.30pm Yoga

Price - £4 per class

Rebound Community Wellbeing CIC – Huyton Gateway, 115 Rupert Road Huyton L36 9TE 0151 489 4616 email: reboundcic@aol.com

St Stephen’s Day celebrations in Leyland

The Altar Servers’ Guild of St Stephen Mass on Boxing Day at St Mary’s, Leyland. The new-born baby in the picture is the daughter of one of the altar severs. Rumour has it that mum has already started training her.

Cafod Christmas Run back to its full glory Kathy visits the mini Vinnies

The local Cafod team in Liverpool would like to say a big thank you to each and every person who supported this year’s Cafod Christmas Run, the annual event which takes place every 27 December.

In recent years, as with everything in our world, the run has been affected by the Covid pandemic. In 2020, the event was completely virtual with people participating in all areas of Liverpool and far and wide to run and walk 5k. In 2021 we were able to return to our usual venue of the Wavertree Athletics Centre and The Mystery Park, but as the building was in use as a vaccination centre, and we needed to maintain social distancing, we had a very cold outdoor event.

And finally in 2022, we were back to our former glory with the whole venue available for business as usual. We had support from our caterer, The Health Chef and The Speakeasy Bootleg band kept toes tapping and spirits up in the cold temperatures.

The event had a fantastic turn out, and our local celebrity supporter who has taken part in all 39 fun runs, Frank Cottrell Boyce, was there as always, with his family.

Event organiser, Colette Byrne from Cafod said, ‘What a tremendous turn out for this wonderful Christmas event. Every year we look at the weather and just hope that it won’t be too off putting for people to come along and we were not disappointed at all. We have a fantastic team of volunteers who help with the event and they really did a phenomenal job’.

‘Everyone was wrapped up and some donned some fabulous festive outfits to run or walk around our two routes in The Mystery. There were smiles all round and I think people really appreciated the opportunity to be back to normal again. We are so delighted with everyone’s support for the event. Thank you so much for making it another success.’

Cafod is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. An international development charity and the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales reaching out to people living in poverty with practical help, whatever their religion or culture. Through our global Church network, one of the largest in the world, we have the potential to reach everyone. And we campaign for global justice, so that every woman, man and child can live a full and dignified life.

Cafod website: www.cafod.org.uk

The Mini Vinnies at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, St Helens, were very excited to have Kathy Riley, SVP Membership Support Officer, visit them during Advent and to tell her all about the wonderful charitable work they have been doing recently.

Kathy was delighted to hear of the children’s work in making our world a kinder place, including visiting the local Dementia Café (Loving Arms Dementia Group) twice during the autumn term; once to do arts and crafts and the second visit was to spread a bit of Christmas cheer with their singing.

The children were very eager to share their many kind works of mercy with Kathy who was thrilled so much that she is making plans to celebrate the founder of the SVP, Blessed Frederic Ozanam’s 210th birthday with the children this April.

As part of her visit, Kathy brought each Mini Vinnie a miraculous medal to remind the children of the important work they are doing in spreading joy and kindness to those most in need in their local community; and as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the children for their thoughtfulness and hard work, Kathy also brought the children chocolates to share, which were much appreciated.

Synod 2023-24 Response to the Continental Stage

On 28 November Archbishop Malcolm met with the members of the 13 Deanery Synodal Councils (made up of lay members and clergy) so that he could listen to what they said before making the requested Diocesan response to the Continental Stage Document of the Vatican Synod.

The time together began with an extended guided reflection on ‘Enlarge the space of your tent’ (Is 54:2) – the theme for reflection given in the DCS (Document for the Continental Stage).

Following the time of reflection, a brief exposition of the main themes of the document was shared and then the three questions were posed in this way:

Q1: After having read and prayed with the DCS, what makes you excited and alive? Which experiences are new, or illuminating to you?

Q2 After having read and prayed with the DCS, what makes you feel anxious or concerned?

Q3: Looking at what emerges from the previous two questions, what do you want to say to the Archbishop for him to share nationally and internationally during the First Session of the Synodal Assembly in October 2023?

The responses to Q1 included these points:

If we can grasp the importance of Baptism this could be transformative.

Much of what has been said ties in with our own Diocesan Synod 2020 process.

We need to come back to the texts of Vatican II

It is good to hear about the recognition of the role of women. Transparency at all levels is needed.

The responses to Q2 included these points: So many of the baptised who for whatever reason are distanced from the church. How do we reach out to these people? Who will lead? How will we cope with less priests? Fear that nothing will happen in the end.

How does the role of Bishops evolve in light of Synodality? Lay people are not as willing to take on the responsibilities. Are decisions already made?

The 3rd question focused directly on what the gathering wished the Archbishop to share nationally and internationally.

The DCS picked up so many of the themes of our own Archdiocesan Synod 2020 that we felt there was a clear recognition of the movement of the Holy Spirit guiding and leading the Church down the Synodal path. There is a real call to change the culture of how we have been living to respond to this invitation.

The first way we can change the culture is to ensure the place of prayer, reflection and discernment in all our processes. There must be found ways of deeper listening which will lead us to more open decision making and taking. This must be done in a transparent way using the gifts of all the baptised, not just the hierarchy. Women need to be empowered in playing a real role in governance structures.

The second way in which we can change the culture is to ensure that the gifts of all the baptised are available to the Church (and the world) and to ensure that these gifts are used. This must open us in a renewed way to the gifts of women. There was a call to find new ways of valuing the gifts of women liturgically and to the need to hear the voices of young people. It is a huge task to try to ensure that all the baptised feel that they have a valued part to play and a respected voice.

The third way in which we are called to be renewed is to journey with people in their lives in new and innovative ways, (accompaniment). We can do this in moments of sacramental encounter but also in the ways we reach out and invite. We must be outward looking. We must not be afraid to meet people where they are without giving up our core beliefs, values or mission. We want to rejoice in our differences and not fear them.

The final way in which we can change the culture and thus move on the synodal path of renewal is in the relationships between priests and parishioners. In the Archdiocese there is a deep respect and love for the priests from amongst the parishioners. But there is also a recognition of the need to renew priests in the way they must play their part in a church that is vastly different now to what it was when many of them were ordained. How can priests and people work together collaboratively with shared responsibility – how can this happen when it is increasingly difficult to get volunteers. How can this happen in a situation where parishioners and priests are getting older?

There was a call from some of the participants for the Archbishop to request married clergy and female deacons.

A final reflection that seemed to sum up much of the sense and feeling of the gathering was this:

The Synod gatherings in Rome in 2023 and 2024 can been seen like a wedding day but synodality is the marriage and we are not just preparing for the wedding by all we are doing we are preparing for the lifelong commitment of synodality, for the journey together of always becoming the church that God is calling us to be.

Come and Sing

by Dr Christopher McElroy Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sing in a large choir here at the Metropolitan Cathedral? Why not come along on Saturday 25 March and join a massed choir under the baton of Archdiocese Choral Director Joe Watson?

For this occasion (the Solemnity of the Annunciation) a special choir assembled on the day will sing Antonio Vivaldi’s popular ‘Gloria’, alongside a special new piece of music composed in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Dr Rebekah Okpoti (lecturer in music at Liverpool Hope University.)

The choir will be formed of two groups:

1) Singers from Cathedrals Group of Universities (universities across the country that have religious affiliations) www.cathedralsgroup.ac.uk

2) A ‘Come and Sing’ choir formed especially for the occasion

A ‘Come and Sing’ choir is a group of individuals (or sometimes an established choir/singing group) that joins together with other like minded people to form a special choir for a day. On Saturday 25 March all of our singers will come together for the first

time in the afternoon, rehearse together, and then perform in the evening.

YouTube rehearsal links are provided to all participants, so that they can practise and familiarise themselves with their parts ahead of the day. Reading music is not a prerequisite as music can be learnt with the YouTube links.

The large choir (so far we have over 150 people signed up) will be accompanied by the recently restored Cathedral Grand Organ, played by James Luxton.

If you would like to come along and join the ‘Come and Sing’ choir, or simply to attend what will be a wonderful evening as an audience member, please visit: www. ticketsource.co.uk/metcathedral

Tickets are priced at £5 for both singers and audience members, and u18’s and students can attend for free!

We hope that this will be the first of many such events, welcoming people from across the archdiocese to sing at special events and concerts here in the cathedral!

Cathedral Record

Canon Anthony O’Brien –Cathedral Dean

Clatterbridge Hospital have organised a ’Glow Green’ night walk around the city centre to mark world cancer day on Friday 3 February. The walk will end with a very short gathering on our Cathedral steps with lighted candles. Following new security laws in Hong Kong last year there have been a considerable number of former residents from there taking up citizenship in the UK and settling in the north west of England. On Saturday 18 February there will be a Mass at 2.00 pm in the Cathedral Blessed Sacrament Chapel celebrated in Cantonese by a visiting priest, Father Bruno, for the Chinese community within our local area. There will also be the opportunity for confession from 1.00 pm in Cantonese.

We celebrate our Annual Archdiocesan Civic Mass on Sunday 19 February. This comes at a time when our public services are under further pressures which has had a significant impact on those who serve us in public life. It is important that we can gather as a Catholic Community and celebrate Mass that day to pray for all those who represent us in civic and public life and for the communities within our local region.

We have a slightly later start to Lent this year with Ash Wednesday celebrated on 22 February and the First Sunday of Lent on 26 February. On this first Sunday of Lent we have the customary service of welcome and enrolment for all those adults who have been preparing in groups throughout the archdiocese for reception into the Church. Archbishop Malcolm will preside at this service at 3.00 pm to formally acknowledge the journey of faith and preparation that these adults have undertaken and to bless them and their families as they prepare in these final weeks for baptism and confirmation in their local parishes at Easter.

what’s on

Wednesday 1 February Space for Prayer.

2.00 pm-3.30pm at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool, L15 6TW. Tel: 0151 722 2271.

Thursday 2 February

Agape Mass.

7.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD.

Saturday 4 February

‘Come and See’ Day.

10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. ‘Called to be a merciful Church.’ Speaker David Wells. Bring a packed lunch – tea and coffee provided. Suggested donation £10. Details - email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tel: 0151 949 1199.

Sunday 5 February Racial Justice Day

Memorial Service for former Ecumenical Officer Canon Michael Wolfe. 3.00 pm at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

Tuesday 7 February

Scripture evening: ‘Genesis for today’ An exploration of the Book of Genesis –what is the message for us today? 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm on zoom, for a link email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

Wednesday 8 February

Day of Prayer for victims of trafficking –Feast of St Josephine Bakhita

‘Songs we remember’ sing along.

2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. (Dementia friendly.)

Hotpot Supper and Film Night

‘The Hiding Place’ – The life story of Corrie Ten Boom. 6.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Bookings: email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tel: 0151 949 1199.

‘Could you be a Deacon?’ hosted by Archbishop Malcolm. 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm in the Parish Centre at St George’s, Station Road, Maghull, L31 3DF with refreshments available from 7.00 pm. The evening is open to anyone who would like to find out more about the diaconate, especially men who are wondering if they may be called to this ministry. Wives and supporting priests and deacons are also very welcome. For more information, email Father Chris Fallon, c.fallon@rcaol.org.uk or Deacon Paul Rooney, p.rooney@rcaol.org.uk

Sunday 19 February Day of Prayer for the unemployed

Annual Civic Mass. 11.00 am at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Guests will include civic dignitaries from throughout the region.

Saturday 11 February

Day of Prayer for the sick and those who care for them

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Tuesday 14 February

Scripture evening: ‘Genesis for today’. An exploration of the Book of Genesis –what is the message for us today? 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm on zoom, for a link email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

Wednesday 15 February

Space for Prayer.

2.00 pm-3.30pm at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool, L15 6TW. Tel: 0151 722 2271.

Thursday 16 February

Newman Circle Talk – ‘Aslyum and the Law’ Speaker: Barrister Nadine Daniel, BEM. 7.30 pm at St Helen’s Parish Centre, Crosby, L23 7TQ. No charge and ample free parking. Tea and coffee will be available at the start of the meeting. Details from helen.flynn8@googlemail.com

Liverpool Bach Collective. Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 199 ‘Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut’. (‘My heart is bathed in blood.’) 6.30 pm at St Mary’s church, Backl Lane, Little Crosby L23 4UA. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. www.liverpoolbach.com Email: liverpoolbach@icloud.com

Tuesday 21 February

Scripture evening: ‘Genesis for today’. An exploration of the Book of Genesis –what is the message for us today? 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm on zoom, for a link email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

Wednesday 22 February to Monday 27 February

‘Come into the Quiet.’ An individually directed silent retreat by Father Chris Thomas and Sister Moira Meeghan from 6.00 pm on Wednesday 22 February to 10.00 am on Monday 27 February at the

Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. For more information and to book a place contact jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tel: 0151 949 1199.

Wednesday 22 February

Ash Wednesday – Day of fasting and abstinence

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King – Masses at 8.00 am, 12.15 pm, 5.00 pm. Service of the Word and distribution of ashes at 7.00 pm.

Pax Christi members and supporters will gather at 11.45 am at St. Luke’s Bombed Out Church. Leece Street for the walk and liturgy through city centre, and will be marked with ashes in repentance for nuclear weapons. Details email: janharper1@yahoo.co.uk

‘Songs we remember’ sing along.

2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. (Dementia friendly.)

Saturday 25 February

Space for Prayer.

10.00 am-11.30 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool, L15 6TW. Tel: 0151 722 2271.

Sunday 26 February

First Sunday of Lent

Gathering for LGBTQ+ Catholics, families and friends. 2.00 pm at St Bede’s, Appleton Village, Widnes, WA8 6EL. Mass at 2.00 pm followed by a social gathering.

Celebration of the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion.

3.00 pm at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Looking ahead:

Wednesday 1 March

Feast of St David Patron of Wales

February

Space for Prayer.

2.00 pm-3.30pm at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool, L15 6TW. Tel: 0151 722 2271.

Thursday 2 March

Agape Mass.

7.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD.

Friday 3 March

Cafod Family Fast Day

Women’s World Day of Prayer

Saturday 4 March

‘Come and See’ Day.

10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. ‘Called to be an involved Church.’ Speaker Lord David Alton. Bring a packed lunch – tea and coffee provided. Suggested donation £10. Details - email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Tel: 0151 949 1199.

Space for Prayer. 10.00 am-11.30 am at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool, L15 6TW. Tel: 0151 722 2271.

Marriage Preparation Course.

10.00 am to 5.00 pm at The Christian heritage Centre, at Stonyhurst. Details: https://christianheritagecentre. com/events/marriage-preparation/ Email: events@christianheritagecenre.com

Wednesday 15 March

Space for Prayer. 2.00 pm-3.30pm at The Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool, L15 6TW. Tel: 0151 722 2271.

Friday 17 March

Feast of St Patrick – Patron of Ireland

Monday 20 March

Feast of St Joseph

Thursday 23 March

Annual Romero Mass. 7.00 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury church, 62 Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Refreshments afterwards and talk from the Romero Trust.

Friday 24 to Sunday 26 March

Marriage Preparation Course at The Christian heritage Centre, at Stonyhurst. Details: https://christianheritagecentre. com/events/marriage-preparation/ Email: events@christianheritagecenre.com

Saturday 25 March

Feast of the Annunciation

June 2023

Thursday1 June to Thursday 8 June

Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Nevers travelling by coach and train. £645.00 sharing – full board in Lourdes. Details: Chris Tel: 07587 046985.

Monday 13 March

10th

anniversary of the election of Pope Francis

by Hugh Donleavy

Living Catholic Social Teaching and Food Banks in Liverpool

One funny thing about this year, for me, is being in a bit of a liminal space. I’m still a seminarian, but no longer live in a seminary; I’m no longer in a seminary, but I’m not yet a priest; I’ve finished my studies in preparation for priesthood, but I still feel like there’s a lot to learn.

On that last point, over the last few months I’ve come to appreciate how much I have actually learned in seminary. I used to get worried about everything I had to learn. Now, although I’m aware that there is still a long way to go, it’s reassuring that I can see the difference between now and when I started. Getting to know Jesus, in prayer, through study, especially of scripture, means that, even if I, personally, have nothing to give people, I can hopefully share the one thing that matters, a relationship with God. It’s an important responsibility and a privilege, but it’s one we all have. It almost seems arrogant, because it’s such an important task, but God wants us all to do it, each in our own way, whether that’s through prayer, or in a more ‘active’ way.

This can all sound easy in theory, but we live in a culture that seems to frown upon opening up, especially when it comes to religion. You never know what people are looking for in a particular situation, or what they need to hear, so sometimes you just have to pray and hope that you do the right thing. But it is very uplifting to see how happy people can be to learn about Jesus and the Faith. In any case, it’s all very different to seminary, which can sometimes feel like a sort of cross between a boarding school and a monastery. Not that that’s a bad thing, it can be good to get a different experience and perspective.

In other news, I am due to be ordained to the diaconate in May, which I am very excited about. Please pray for me as I prepare for ordination - it is, of course, a very significant step towards priesthood, and an important sacrament in itself. I’m hoping that this Lent will be a good time of preparation.

by Pablo Guidi, Catholic Social Action Coordinator

Waiting outside St Vincent’s Church, Bernadette tried to keep warm and dry in the winter conditions. Soon the parishioners would open the door, and welcome her into the Micah foodbank, where Bernadette could get a food parcel, clothing and a hot drink.

‘We’ve experienced more people asking for help than in any previous month’ explained Sue, at the St Vincent’s food pantry. Sue is a volunteer with the Micah Liverpool Project working to promote justice, fairness and wellbeing.

‘I support the project every Tuesday morning’ she continues ‘but it can only work through the generosity of people donating food, and to St Vincent’s for hosting us’.

St Vincent’s parish responded in a remarkable way that went beyond just providing a space. A small group of parishioners clubbed together and bought teas and coffees for those waiting to get their food parcels. Over the weeks this developed into a café, with hot food, and tables for people to meet and chat to one another. This makes the waiting more bearable.

‘Many people are waiting for something’ Peter tells me as he picks up the story whilst serving a cheese toasty. ‘Waiting

for a decision about their housing; a next hospital appointment; or even refuge in this country’.

It was not far from St Vincent’s, that Father Austin Smith wrote about waiting whilst working for the Passionist Inner City Mission during the 1970s. He spoke about never having to experience a waiting that appeared purposeless. A waiting that depended on the kind services of another human being. As we approach Racial Justice Sunday, we are challenged to think about our own lives and positions of privilege. We are encouraged to think about how other people rely on and wait for us to change our lives, so that they can better lead theirs.

As Sue finishes up her volunteer duties for the day she reflects on the morning, and sees Bernadette leave St Vincent’s with a food parcel and a smile on her face. As the Church closes its doors, the words of the prophet Micah seem to resonate throughout the building ‘to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’.

If you would like to get involved in foodbanks, please contact Pablo for further details on 0151 522 1042 or p.guidi@rcaol.org.uk

The Academy of St Nicholas celebrates transformation as it receives ‘Good’ Ofsted rating

The Academy of St Nicholas, a joint Catholic and Church of England academy in Garston, is celebrating after being awarded a rating of ‘Good’ by Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills).

The secondary school was visited for a two-day inspection in December 2022, under the new Ofsted framework. All four key judgement areas were examined and rated as ‘Good’ which include: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

This fantastic achievement will be welcomed by the communities of Garston and Speke, and other surrounding areas, with local families and children now having access to a recognised ‘Good’ secondary school and sixth form provision on their doorstep.

The academy, part of the All Saints Multi Academy Trust, which is located on Horrocks Avenue, is led by headteacher Mrs Jeniffer Sing who joined during the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

The Academy of St Nicholas took over the former Enterprise South Liverpool Academy site in 2017. In the 13-year history of a school occupying the site, it is the first time it has achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted in all areas, which is a testament to the exceptional efforts of the academy’s senior leadership team and All Saints Multi Academy Trust. Ofsted recognised that Mrs Sing, together with her dedicated senior leadership team, has changed the school for the better, saying: “Since the arrival of the new headteacher, leaders have transformed the curriculum.”

Inspectors acknowledged how leaders have taken the school on a ‘journey of improvement’ whilst also recognising that ‘they remain ambitious for it’. The report found that ‘pupils at this school, including those in the sixth form, benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum’.

Ofsted also praised the teaching staff, stating: “Teachers have secure subject knowledge and have high expectations of what pupils and students should achieve.”

The academy’s ‘Curriculum for Life’ programme was highly commended. The report identified: “They are taught about how to keep themselves safe, about healthy relationships and about the value of diversity. They learn about equality and respect for different groups of people.”

It referenced leaders’ high expectations for behaviour are shared and understood by staff and pupils. It noted how the school has a calm atmosphere, with pupils behaving well in lessons. Commenting on All Saints Sixth Form College, which is based within the school, Ofsted reported positively: “In the sixth form, there is a well-chosen and broad range of subjects for students to choose from.”

Adding: “Teachers of sixth form students are particularly skilled. As a result, students achieve well.”

Speaking about the judgement, Mrs Sing said: “We are completely over the moon by the outcome and a big thank you to staff, students, families, governors, trustees, and the local community who have been very supportive over the years.

“I am extremely proud of everything that we have been able to achieve, and together with All Saints Multi Academy Trust, we look forward to continuing the academy’s strong upward trajectory. Our students deserve the best quality of education and there are no limits to what they can achieve here.”

Mrs Sing added: “It is fantastic to be praised by Ofsted and rated as ‘Good’ in all areas which supports our pledge to help all our students flourish and thrive and to inspire the wider community. The Academy of St Nicholas is now firmly on the map in South Liverpool as a secondary school of choice.

The Academy of St Nicholas is proud to be part of All Saints Multi Academy Trust which is jointly sponsored by both the Diocese and Archdiocese of Liverpool. The inspection team also praised the input of the Trust confirming its strong and effective governance.

Heather Duggan, CEO of the All Saints Multi Academy Trust, said: “A huge well done to Mrs Sing and her dedicated team at The Academy of St Nicholas. This is a fantastic and richly deserved achievement by all.

“It will further encourage high aspiration within the Garston and Speke communities, as well as in the Knowsley borough, providing an opportunity for students to access a broad range of A-levels at All Saints Sixth Form College.”

Labour MP for Garston and Halewood, Maria Eagle, commented: “Huge congratulations to The Academy of St Nicholas which has received a rating of ‘Good’ from its December 2022 Ofsted inspection - the first time the school has achieved the rating in 13 years on this site. Staff and pupils should be so proud of this achievement.

“Headteacher Jeniffer Sing and her team deserve credit for raising standards across the academy, so local families have a ‘Good’ rated secondary and sixth form offering in the area. I have seen first-hand when visiting the school, the positive atmosphere and aspirational learning culture that the inspectors have recognised as ‘a journey of improvement’, as well as the care and support provided to all pupils.”

Maria Eagle added: “I want to say well done to everyone who has worked so hard to gain this recognition. It is fantastic to see Mrs Sing and her team have already made great strides in improving the school and remain ambitious to keep moving forward.”

Education Matters by

Satis Education

Staff Wellbeing – the key to a successful school

Schools are exciting places to be in December for pupils and staff alike: full of the buzz of excitement for Christmas. However, in contrast the cold months of January and February when winter bugs are at their peak can really take a toll on staff. And without a healthy and happy workforce, a school will never be a happy place for pupils. So, what can headteachers and governors do to ensure they look after their staff wellbeing?

Developing and promoting a culture of staff wellbeing is essential to a healthy school. Supporting staff and building trust leads to a happier team, higher performance, better retention and a motivated environment. But how can we achieve this?

From the work the Satis Education team do with schools nationally we have seen some great ideas, including:

- Wellbeing workshops – Dedicated time for staff to connect with each other whilst doing something different to help boost their mood. For example, half termly activities such as yoga, crafting or baking.

- Mental Health Champions – Identifying mental health champions places good mental health at the heart of the school. It can be really effective to give interested staff the ownership over promoting mental health to their colleagues. Talking openly about mental health goes a long way to breaking down any stigma, allowing staff the security of knowing they’re in a safe space.

- A wellbeing noticeboard – Create a go-to space where staff can check out all the wellbeing initiatives that are going on. This could include a “menu” of events and activities, contacts of who your Mental Health Champions are, and how to sign up for training.

Finally, don’t forget it’s not just children and young people who benefit from praise. Consider how you show gratitude for each other at your school. Staff rewards can be formal or informal. Some schools have gone down the route of “Star of the Month” – formally recognising the efforts of an individual. In other schools, staff rewards are managed more informally. However, if you do it in your school make sure gratitude is shown regularly – it’s surprising the effect a simple “thank you” can have.

Satis Education have a team of associates including experts in staff development and wellbeing. To find out more about how we can support with your Staff Wellbeing Strategy admin@satiseducation.co.uk

Darren Gidman, St John Bosco Arts College

Darren Gidman has been at the helm of St John Bosco Arts College since 2016 and is proud to be the headteacher of a thriving secondary school in Croxteth.

He said: “It is a great privilege to work at St John Bosco Arts College. We have great staff and great students and we are a real family which supports one another because we’ve all got the same interests at heart. We want students to achieve well and develop into well rounded individuals.

“We’re proud to belong to our Salesian family and I feel really energised working here.”

The school has recently transformed its vision and mission and brought it inline with how the school community has evolved over the years.

Darren explained: “To help us define our mission statement, we set up a working party with representation from right across the school. It offered us an opportunity to reenergise the school community and face the future with renewed vigour.

“Our shared values of love, faith, community, respect and hope are very important to us. The reason why we put love at the start is because St John Bosco said, ‘It is not enough to love the young; they must know that they are loved’ which is why love is at the centre of all that we do.”

Darren added: “We have thought about everything carefully and had lots of meetings talking about who we are, what do we identify as and what encapsulates the spirit of this school. The tagline which sums things up ‘Together we inspire each other to flourish in faith, hope and love’ is interesting because it can mean academic flourish as well as the personal development of all.”

As a leader in the catholic education system, Darren is extremely honoured to be associated with St John Bosco Arts College.

He said: “I feel like I am fulfilling my own personal vocation, living out my Catholic faith with a sense of belonging that is inspired by the teaching of St John Bosco and the Salesian charism of the school. You feel the care and nurture from the get-go, from the way that you are treated at reception, to the way you can see what is going on around the school as it is open plan - you can sense that it is a special place.

“We are proud to work with schools from across the Archdiocese through the teacher development partnership which supports teacher recruitment through schools direct. It helps to develop system leaders, such as archdiocesan subject leaders and archdiocesan leaders of education, and further develop collaborative support across Catholic schools. I think it’s important that schools work closely together as it helps students reach their potential, which to me is everything.”

A new Headteacher has been appointed to lead St Chad’s

Alicia Freeman has been appointed as the substantive headteacher of St Chad’s Catholic and Church of England Academy and will lead the school on the next stage of its journey.

“I am delighted to announce that Miss Freeman has been appointed as headteacher. She has already made a strong start in the role and has earned the respect of the staff and students.” said Andrew Truby, CEO, St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust.

Alicia Freeman, headteacher, said: “I feel privileged to be appointed as headteacher of St Chad’s. I have instantly received a warm welcome from staff, students and parents and look forward to working with the whole community and the Trust on the next phase of its exciting journey.”

St Chad’s joined St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust on 1st March 2022 and there have been significant improvements to the curriculum, the quality of teaching and the culture. The academy saw its best set of results in the last seven years in 2022 and this is testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff. The academy is supported by an experienced central team of experts both in terms of school improvement and business support, which means that it is in an excellent position to move forward.

In addition to the improvements to the quality of education, the Trust is investing in an attractive new library, a student entrance, the replacement of roofs and an energy efficient heating system. This will ensure that the students have the best possible learning environment.

Alicia said: “The plans for developing the school environment are exciting; especially the new library. We understand the importance of creating a love of reading and we are investing heavily to make this the heart of our school. We are committed to creating a school that the community of St Chad’s deserves.” www.stjosephmat.org.uk

Our Lady of Pity RC Primary School welcomes new head of school

key concepts such as conservation and climate change, powerful women and identity and migration.

Our Lady of Pity RC Primary School is proudly part of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT).

Kathryn explained: “Being a headteacher can be a lonely job but this post appealed to me as in a head of school role you work closely with the executive head. Being part of HFCMAT was also appealing as there are so many opportunities to work with others and share learning and experiences.

“The Trust very much feels like a family and I’m really enjoying working with everyone. Our Lady of Pity is a fantastic place with wonderful children. When I first visited, I was blown away by the host of opportunities and enhancements on offer to the children and felt I could help them continue to succeed by offering my own interests and expertise.”

She added: “Through the curriculum we can teach and prepare our children to know and understand the world they will be living in. They are going to move into jobs that haven’t been created yet, using technology that hasn’t been invented and in a world that is ever changing.

“I would hope that each child at Our Lady of Pity leaves with the expected skills in English and maths but also with compassion, respect for others and resilience so they know what to do when they don’t know what to do. I’m excited for what’s next!”

Mrs Kathryn Dunne has been appointed as the new of head of school at Our Lady of Pity RC Primary School in Greasby, Wirral.

Kathryn has over 20 years’ experience in teaching, working across all year groups, with a real passion for EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and key stage one. She was previously deputy headteacher at Park Primary School in Wallasey.

Commenting on her new role, Kathryn said: “I was deputy headteacher for six years at my last school and felt ready for the next challenge. Having started my National Professional Qualification for Headship last year, I was thinking about the next steps.”

In her previous role, Kathryn spent the last three years developing and designing a new curriculum, working alongside Dr Debra Kidd and Hywel Roberts, they also explored

CEO of HFCMAT, Andy Moor said: “We are very pleased to welcome Kathryn to the Trust. Her experience and knowledge are exactly what is needed in order to deliver an inspirational education to pupils at Our Lady of Pity.

“As a Trust, we are passionate about raising awareness on conservation and we are delighted that our values align with Kathryn’s and together we can teach our children more about these important issues in today’s world.”

Staff and pupils at Maricourt High School marked Holocaust Remembrance in January. Opening the week were Year 13 pupils Connie and Lily, who worked with curriculum leader Dave Dowson in sharing their experiences of lessons with the Auschwitz Project.

This project provides opportunities for sixth formers to expand their knowledge of the Holocaust and its impact today.

Dave Dowson said to staff: “The Holocaust and Nazi persecutions of Jews, gypsies and those different from their ideals still resonates in the world today and we must remember all those who lost their lives for simply being different to what another deemed acceptable for society”.

Throughout the week Clare Landor, curriculum leader of RE and Julia Ashes, Chaplain, led collective worship based upon the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s theme of ‘Ordinary People’. The theme is a reminder

that it was ordinary people who believed propaganda, who turned a blind eye and who were involved in other genocides like in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Staff and pupils could go on the Yad Vashem website to remember individuals who died in the Holocaust. They were paired with a person whose life story they shared throughout the week of events. Chaplain Julia Ashes said: ‘Giving a voice to those who died and honouring their memory by saying their names was a simple yet powerful reminder of the need to speak out for those whose voices cannot be heard’

The week of events concluded with each form group and members of staff lighting a virtual candle on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website and praying ‘Through our words and actions, help us to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness and love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil. Amen.’

Maricourt mark Holocaust Remembrance Liverpool secondary school stars in Songs of Praise

Students from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Kensington, featured in a recent episode of BBC One’s Songs of Praise Songs of Praise has been a much-loved religious television programme for over 60 years. While Christian hymns of varying denominations remain a key part of the show, in 2014 it adopted a magazine style format in order to reflect the wider Christian audience across the country.

The academy welcomed Rev Kate Bottley, former Gogglebox star and journalist, as part of a segment on the show around the end of life which encourages people of all ages to talk, listen and share their thoughts on the subject.

The discussion took place in the academy’s chapel with over 20 students talking openly about the topic. A range of questions were put to the students including ‘What music would you like to have played at your funeral?’ and ‘What is your favourite possession and who are you leaving it to?’.

One student said her bible was her most prized possession as it contains all her personal annotations.

Jack Eaglestone explained that his birth certificate was very important to him. He explained: “I would leave it to my brother, mainly because my middle name is Dalgleish after the very famous former Liverpool FC player, and I managed to get it signed by him [Kenny Dalgleish].”

After the discussion, Rev Kate Bottley asked students how they found the exercise, and all of them said they found it liberating. Niota Mupingu told Rev Kate: “I found it very insightful and it was nice to talk about things and hear other people’s opinions.”

Chenelle Owuoawa added: “I think that if you talk about death rather than being scared of it, it makes it a lot easier.”

Headteacher of The Academy of St Francis Assisi, Ms Jo Leech said: “It was a pleasure to welcome BBC Songs of Praise into the

academy. The students were really engaged with the thought-provoking activity and shared their honest opinions about the end of life which is important to talk about at any age.”

The Academy of St Francis of Assisi is of joint Roman Catholic and Church of England faith. Its distinct Christian ethos underpins every aspect of academy life, with students engaging in daily acts of worship and prayer, in form time and during year group assemblies.

The full episode can be watched on BBC iPlayer here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/ m001h8nd/songs-of-praise-faith-and-grief

Why mission weeks matter

Father Simon Gore from Animate Youth Ministries explains why school mission weeks are as rewarding as they are demanding. Although 2023 will be in full swing by the time you read this issue of the Pic, I am writing these words only a few days after Christmas. And I’ve got to say, I found Christmas a little more stressful than usual. Not for the more usual reasons, but rather because we had spent the week before on a school mission.

A school mission is at the more intense, more intensive end of the work we do. A mission will often begin months, or even a year, before the actual week itself. The preparation time involves working with staff to ensure their lessons that week will be on the theme of the mission. We also work with pupils so they will understand the theme of the mission when the week starts. And we work

closely with a small group of young people who act as an extended team for the week, assisting with dramas and sessions.

A mission can be a great way to add impetus to an on-going school theme or project; or to act as an introduction to a longer-term goal for the school. However, with all the preliminary work that a school has to do for a mission to be effective, and the energy and flexibility needed during the week itself, full commitment is required from all sides to make the mission successful.

Probably because of the fairly long lead-up, and the fact some uncertainty had bled into the last academic year about gathering large

groups of young people together, we had not done a full school mission since late 2019. It was the only part of our work that had not got fully back to normal after the pandemic.

We always knew missions would start up again – it was just a matter of when. And the first school to ‘step into the deep’ was St Joseph’s, Horwich. I use the biblical quotation deliberately as they chose that as the overall theme of their mission.

We worked with the school in the final weeks of the last academic year to introduce the theme to each of the pupils through a series of day retreats held in the school. Then, after some last-minute preparations this term, we were back for the mission week proper in the week before Christmas. Although I started by saying it meant the lead-up to Christmas was more fraught than I might have liked, it was equally a great way to look forward to Christmas. We added a subtitle to the overall theme of the mission, taking to heart the words of the Gospel that we had heard on the Sunday before the mission began: ‘I am the servant of the Lord.’

Then, through the week, we encouraged the pupils to reflect on how they were called to be servants of the Lord yet must also have the same courage as shown by the Blessed Virgin to say ‘Yes’ to that call.

Of course, as with any work we do, we as a team must reflect too on the theme and message as, if not, it does all become a clanging gong or clashing cymbal.

All in all, it was great for us to be able to get back that more intensive way of working that a school mission demands – and a nice way for us, as a team, to be able to take some time to reflect on some of the themes of Advent.

We have more weeks booked for this academic year and next so please keep those school communities in your prayers as they prepare for what we hope will be successful missions.

God bless.

Mums the Word

The 11th of this month brings a special date in our diaries: the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Many of us have visited the holy shrine numerous times and have a great devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. We ask her to bless our families and loved ones, and in particular those who are sick and in need of prayers. Therefore, it is quite fitting that the World Day of the Sick is observed on this feast day.

The World Day of the Sick is an awareness day, or observance, in the Catholic Church intended for prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in their sick brother or sister the face of Christ.

The day was instituted on 13 May 1992 by Saint Pope John Paul II and is celebrated on 11 February.

John Paul II himself received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 1991, the year before he decided to create the World Day of the Sick. He had previously written about suffering as a salvific and redeeming process through Christ in his 1984 apostolic letter, Salvifici Doloris.

In 2005, the World Day of the Sick had a special significance as, with the pope’s health failing, many people gathered in St Peter’s Square in Rome to pray for him.

Two years later, John Paul II’s successor as pontiff, Benedict XVI, marked the day by placing a crown on a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in St Peter’s Basilica. The recently deceased Benedict would later announce his resignation on this same day in 2013, citing his then declining health.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Maria Pimblett Media Officer

A century of service News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Wirral Tuesday Club makes farewell charity donation

Set up by the Knights of St Columba four decades ago, the Wirral Tuesday Club played a significant role down the years in the lives of local people with disabilities. Its recent closure was a reason for great regret yet the sadness has been softened at least slightly by a farewell donation of over £20,000 to charities and volunteer organisations in the area.

On Sunday 11 December the brothers of council 51 distributed a total of £23,885 – the Tuesday Club’s residue funds – across a range of Wirralbased groups.

The beneficiaries were the following: the Heswall Disabled Children’s Holiday Group; the Salvation Army, Birkenhead; Charles Thompson’s Mission; St Werburgh’s St Vincent de Paul society; the Infants and Junior School fund of St Anne’s, Rock Ferry; and the Charing Cross Methodist Children’s Group.

Individual presentations were made to representatives of all the groups listed and our photo shows Brother Bernard McElvogue making the presentation to Iona Watterson of St Werberg’s SVP society.

Tellingly, all the charities chosen operate without any paid organisers and this was also true of the Tuesday Club. Unfortunately, owing to the Covid lockdown, the club had been unable to operate for two years and with those running it now in old age, the absence of any younger volunteers to take over from them led to the club’s closure. In a message, the members of council 51 said: ‘We thank everyone who has helped us over the years.’

The Order is extremely proud of their work in helping people with disabilities in the Wirral area during the last 40 years – a shining example of the kind of activity the KSC promotes in areas where it has established membership. It is hoped the funds distributed to the abovementioned groups will help them continue their own good work.

Websites: www.ksc.org.uk

www.kscprov02.weebly.com

Email: dpokeane@aol.com

Our Fundraising Team are getting ready for another busy year of events to raise much needed funds for our services to help us continue our mission of educating, protecting and caring for those in need. This year we have plenty in store, from sleep outs to Sahara Desert treks, there is something for everybody.

In your name Appeal

Nugent strives to show how the teachings of Christian love, faith and charity can shape the way we live together. This appeal enables us to take the caring Church into the community in your name, by offering practical services and support to those who are vulnerable or isolated. A parish collection will take place on Sunday 19 March, the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

Donations will support our faith development work with children and adults with learning disabilities and our Mother and Baby services at Clumber Care Home.

Sleep Out with Nugent

On Friday 24 March, we will be asking supporters to give up their beds for the night to experience just a fraction of the challenges of what it is like to be homeless.

We are working in collaboration with Strawberry Field, event sponsor Krol Corlett and supporters Salvation Army, to help raise funds to provide support packages for those who are at risk of homelessness when transitioning into their accommodation and out of care.

Good Shepherd Appeal

From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, schools across the archdiocese are invited to take part and raise money for Nugent. The schools come together in our Good Shepherd Masses in June to present their fundraising cheques to Nugent as well as take part in the Mass through singing, reading and helping with communion.

This year’s Masses will take place on 14 June at St Mary’s Church, Leyland and 28 June at the Metropolitan Cathedral celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP

iACCORD Staff Awards

We will be hosting our annual staff iACCORD awards to recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication

of our amazing team. The awards are a reflection of our values that are the foundation of our beliefs and behaviours throughout Nugent.

Phil Thompson Golf Classic

Our Golf Classic is a chance for players to test their skills during a full game of golf with our charity patron and LFC Legend Phil Thompson. The annual event is always a hit, helping us raise vital funds for our service. The previous event raised a staggering gross total of over £18,500.

Nugent Gala

After the successful inaugural Nugent Gala last year, we are busy planning to bring you the biggest event of the year with plenty of dazzle and fabulous entertainment. This year’s Gala will be held on 9 November at The Rum Warehouse in the Titanic Hotel. Tickets will be available to purchase in the near future.

Sahara Desert Trek

We’re challenging our brave supporters to trek across the Sahara Desert at the end of 2023. Test yourself during a 7-day majestic adventure while trekking through stunning desert landscapes by day and camping under the stars at night. The trek is fully supported by guides, camels and cooks to allow you to soak up the beautiful surroundings and have the time of your life, all whilst supporting Nugent.

Get involved

For more information on all of our events, please visit: wearenugent.org. You can also keep up to date with all of our events by following us on social media @wearenugent on Instagram and Twitter and Nugent on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information on how to get involved and support our events, get in touch with our Fundraising Team at fundraising@wearenugent.org or by calling 0151 261 2000. We look forward to seeing you at our events.

Normandie Wragg Chief Executive Nugent

Returning to Canada…

Throughout the pandemic, we all realised the importance of family and being with our loved ones. I have taken the incredibly difficult decision to step down from my role as Nugent CEO in 2023, in order to move back home to be closer to my Canadian family. My heart will always be with Nugent.

My time at Nugent, which has coincided with our 140-year anniversary, has been extraordinary and I am immensely proud of everything that we have achieved as a charity that cares for, educates and protects vulnerable children, young people and adults through our school, care homes and community and social work services.

I will miss this city immensely, the music and the people, not to mention their fierce determination and passion. I have never seen a community pull together to look out for its own as much as Liverpool does. I am most proud of our staff’s care and compassion for the people they care for and their families who support them to do this important and essential work.

As I start a new chapter in my life, I hold this charity, our people, beneficiaries, supporters, our memories, our achievements and our incredible journey with me in my heart to stand aside and watch Nugent continue on its journey to a totally dignified and outstanding organisation. I have every confidence that Jo Henney, Nugent’s Interim CEO, and the Trustees will now take the charity to the next level, as we move forward and learn from the past, in order to push forward change in the care sector that improves the life chances for all.

I’d like to thank all of our kind-hearted staff members, volunteers, parishes, trustees, stakeholders, and commercial partners, without whom none of this would have been possible.

Dialogue and Unity Racial Justice – a challenge to us all

Ultan Russell, Archdiocesan Ecumenical Officer

Leaders gave our ecumenical work here on Merseyside international recognition.

Churches are encouraged to focus on the 3 Rs of ‘remembering’, ‘reflecting’ and ‘responding’: remembering the importance of racial justice; reflecting on human diversity and thanking God for it and responding by working to end injustice, racism and ignorance through prayer and action.

The material gives ideas for prayers, hymns, discussion topics, statements from Church Leaders and is an excellent resource on racial justice not just for the Sunday itself but all the year round and can be used by schools, meetings of organisations like the Union of Catholic Mothers, a discussion by a group in a parish or items for parish newsletters.

Racial Justice Sunday began in 1995. It will be commemorated this year on Sunday 5 February. The actual catalyst for this event was the tragic killing of Black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, in Eltham, South London on 22 April 1995. Stephen was returning home with a friend when he was attacked and killed by a group of white youths.

The subsequent police inquiry was seriously flawed – at one point, the police even spied on the Lawrence family. The bungled nature of the investigation led the then Labour Home Secretary, Jack Straw, to announce the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry.

The subsequent Macpherson Report concluded that the investigation into Stephen’s killing had been ‘marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership’. Specific officers in the Metropolitan Police

were named and the entire force was criticised. The Lawrence family were churchgoers and attended a Methodist Church. The fruits of the Macpherson report challenged many organisations including Churches to review the way they operated and to develop more robust policies on equality and inclusion. Stephen’s mother is now Baroness Lawrence.

This resonates with us here in the archdiocese where Anthony Walker was brutally murdered in Huyton and his mother Dee and his family have done so much to educate professionals and others on issues of racism. Dee Walker was honoured by the King in the 2023 Honours List with an MBE.

Then of course to our shame we had the Toxteth riots in 1981 along those in other British Cities including Brixton in South London. The work of reconciliation so effectively spearheaded by our Church

Yogi Sutton, the National Chair of the Catholic Association for Racial Justice commented: ‘In April 1999, the Catholic Bishops Conference welcomed the Macpherson Report and urged “all Catholic organisations and institutions to look again at how they could better serve minority ethnic communities in our midst”. The bishops published Guidelines for the Review ...And what about the church? Thirty years later, we look at the church and have to ask, “Where are we now?” Many of our parishes include people from diverse backgrounds, but too often they do not have a voice or a seat at the table where decisions are made. Is it time for another review?’

Great efforts have been made in the archdiocese and recognised in the Pastoral Plan, in the curriculum in our schools and in the work of our Justice and Peace Commission and our Department for Pastoral Development including our concern for refugees and asylum seekers typified by our concern for the Ukraine, and the relationship between climate change and refugees.

To mark the day the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales have produced a series of posters, which highlight the rich diversity of our Catholic community and encourage reflection upon how all peoples are made in the image of God.

Material for Racial Justice Sunday can be downloaded from https://ctbi.org.uk/racialjustice-sunday-2023-stephen-lawrence

St John Bosco

Our mission, vision and values

Our vision

We want everyone within the St John Bosco family to go cheerfully into the world, sharing love, knowledge and kindness.

Our mission

At St John Bosco, we provide an ambitious Catholic education that lays foundations for our students and our communities to flourish into the best version of themselves.

By working together, through the Salesian values we share we believe gladness and joy should be at the heart of everything we do, supporting future generations to surpass their incredible potential.

Our values

At St John Bosco, everything we do is underpinned by our shared values. Each represent and reflect us as individuals, as a Catholic Salesian college, and a strong pillar of our local community.

‘Together we inspire each other to flourish in faith, hope and love.’

Faith Community Hope Respect