From the Bishop’s Desk

Ash Wednesday is the day when we receive the ashes which are a sign that we want to repent of our sins. We hear the call of Jesus in the gospel to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These three things are the medicine we need to rid ourselves of the tendency to put ourselves first at the expense of others, especially the poor and the needy.

Prayer creates space for God.

Fasting creates space for someone else to have more.

Almsgiving creates space for us to share what we have been given with those who have much less.

The ashes we receive are a reminder of our mortality and that life is a God given gift. They are also a sign of the new life that we are promised because of the sacrifice that Jesus made of his life to his Father on the Cross.

A few weeks ago, I celebrated Mass in one of the churches where I had been parish priest. One of the parishioners said to me, ‘It has been a hard winter.’ He spoke of the challenges that ageing brings. We are also aware of many challenges that we and others face because of rising prices, the suffering caused by war and the recent earthquake that straddles the border between Syria and Turkey.

As I write these words, I am looking out of the office window into the garden at the many signs of new life around me. The daylight hours are increasing. The sun is shining across a dew-covered lawn. Early spring flowers are beginning to appear. Birds are foraging in the grass and there is the sound of their cheerful chirping.

May our Lenten journey prepare us to receive the joy of the Risen Lord, on Easter Sunday.

Right Reverend Thomas Neylon Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool

Editor Peter Heneghan

Editorial

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Contents

4 Main Feature Jordan – a land of welcome

7 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life

8 From the archives

The Privilege of Priesthood

10 News News from around the Archdiocese

15 Cathedral Record

Lent at the Cathedral

16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese

27 Animate Youth Ministry

Why Confirmation matters

28 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC

29 Nugent News

Good Shepherd Appeal

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30 Dialogue and Unity Street Pastors responding ecumenically to pastoral needs

31 Profile

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