Cath pic july 2015

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Issue 130 JULY 2015

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Our Jubilarians one thousand years of service

ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

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Centenary at St Joseph’s

Northern Catholic Conference in Liverpool Father Jim Clarke A Californian’s quest for the right balance

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contents Welcome At the end of this month our annual Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place, this year the theme is: ‘the joy of mission’. The dedication and service of those who travel with our pilgrims is second to none.

This month we carry the obituary of Nursing Sister Kathleen Duffy who died last month and who would have made her 60th pilgrimage this year. The hundreds who attended her Funeral Mass in St Helens gave witness to her years of devoted service; roads were closed in the town and the flag on the Town Hall was at half mast.

It is typical of Kathleen, and of all those who serve in Lourdes, that they would not want all this fuss. When Pope Francis travelled to Turin last month he visited the Little House of Divine Providence, founded by St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, which welcomes poor, abandoned and sick people. The Holy Father said, ‘Dear patients, brothers and sisters: you are valuable members of the Church. You are the flesh of Christ crucified, whom we have the honour of serving with love.’

It is the same honour for those who so faithfully serve in Lourdes.

From the Archbishop’s Desk At the heart of Pope Francis’s new encyclical letter on the environment, ‘Laudato si’ (‘Praise be to You’) is a question.

What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?

This question does not have to do with the environment alone and in isolation. Pope Francis suggests that by pondering it we are led to deeper thoughts regarding the meaning of existence and the values that are the basis of living together on this planet. Our concern for ecology will not produce significant results unless we understand the purpose of our life on earth. Political, technological and economic answers to the questions regarding the future of creation can only go so far – to the limits of our human nature. To look to the future with confidence we need to place these answers in a wider context. We must see them against the background of divine revelation in scriptures and tradition as well as the in the divine manifestations of nature. The call to take care of our planet is also a call to conversion. Jesus invited his disciples to recognise the paternal relationship God has with all creatures and to live in full harmony with creation, without despising the body, the material or the pleasant things of life. The destiny of creation is bound up with the mystery of Christ and, at the end of time; all things will go back to the Father.

Contents 4

Main Feature You did not choose me...I chose you...’

Northern Catholic Conference

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News From around the Archdiocese

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 15 Nugent News The special gift of time 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 18 Profile Father Jim Clarke A Californian’s quest for the right balance 19 Animate Youth Ministry Ending the Animate year on a high note 20 Justice and Peace The Pope’s concerns for the planet 25 Cathedral Record A postbox plaque for our Cathedral

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC Editor Peter Heneghan Pictures Cover and main feature Graham Hughes Editorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA Tel: 0151 522 1007 Email: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk Advertising Andrew Rogers 0151 709 7567 Publisher 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Copy deadline August issue 10 July 2015 CPMM Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Catholic Pictorial Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

28 Pic Life A memorable walk for Right To Life 29 Join In Family Fun More Mullarkey

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A conference with a difference The Northern Catholic Conference took place in June with the goal providing ‘fruit that will last’

By Simon Hart ‘You did not choose me... I chose you.’

(John 15:16) his was theme of this year’s Northern Catholic Conference which drew over 400 people to Liverpool Hope University for a weekend of prayer, celebration and reflection in June.

T

It was a weekend featuring some noteworthy guest speakers, star turns from Dana, the former Eurovision Song Contest winner, and comedian Jimmy Cricket, and also a day of children and youth’s ministry.

Now in its 11th year, the three-day conference began on Friday 12 June with Father Richard Reid reflecting on our calling to go and bear ‘Fruit that will last’. Father Richard – formerly the rector of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton and now serving as parish priest at St Mary’s, Clapham – was one of five guest speakers at the event alongside Sister Roseann Reddy, Father Pat Deegan, Dennis Wrigley and Dana.

All offered thought-provoking and inspiring words, expressed with humour and sincerity, as they drew on personal experiences to convey a deep faith – 4

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and draw some meaning from it for those listening in the chapel at Hope.

The purpose of the Conference is to inspire people to ‘bear the fruit of God in our lives’ and thus follow the call of Pope Francis, who has said: ‘We need saints without cassocks, without veils – we need saints with jeans and tennis shoes….We need saints who are in this world and who know how to enjoy the best in this world without being callous or mundane.’

These sentiments certainly applied to this year’s speakers and in the case of Dana, the singer and pro-life activist, she gave a humble and humorous testimony, sharing stories of a peaceful and gracefilled life. She recounted her life within a Catholic family during the troubled times in Northern Ireland and explained how she was sometimes reticent about her Catholic faith and reluctant to use her musical gifts and talents when asked to write on a specific theme.

On one occasion, as she recalled, she refused an approach yet then became aware of lyrics and musical arrangements forming in her head without her even trying. This was how she came to write her song Lady of Knock – a hugely popular hymn among Irish Catholics and pilgrims to Marian

Right: Archbishop Malcolm celebrated Mass at the Conference

shrines. It was testimony, she noted, to how the Holy Spirit was working within her and through her to reach millions of people in a hugely profound way. Dana earned a standing ovation – and there was even a quick chorus of the song itself.

Equally compelling was the talk by Father Pat Deegan, the spiritual director for the Northern Catholic Conference and parish priest at Our Lady’s and St Alphonsus in Moss Side, Manchester. He spoke about the necessity of reading scripture to truly understand the teachings of Jesus and also gave a moving insight into how he answered the call to become a priest in the midst of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

‘Listening to God, here and now’ was the theme of the talk on Day 2 of the conference by Dennis Wrigley.

The co-founder and co-leader of the Maranatha Christian community, he is a campaigner for justice and for people facing persecution and poverty at home and abroad and he underlined the importance of our mission as Christians to heal and to be healed through love.

Later in the day, in a talk titled ‘Called to be saints’, Sister Roseann Reddy spoke with great humour of her soul-searching life experiences which led her to become the founder of the Gospel of Life sisters in Scotland, working with vulnerable women and girls in crisis pregnancies and those suffering the trauma of abortion.

The celebrant of the main

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feature All offered thoughtprovoking and inspiring words, expressed with humour and sincerity conference Mass on the Saturday was Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. It was the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in his homily he spoke about Our Lady as the great intercessor.

The sense of celebration at the conference was enhanced by a group of talented young musicians provided uplifting praise and worship songs, although there was also the opportunity for peace and private prayer, with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament available throughout the weekend.

Rather less peaceful was the Saturday night concert for delegates featuring the comedian Jimmy Cricket and his son, Father Frankie Mulgrew. The pair joined forces for a brief comedy slot before Jimmy launched into his usual routine of jokes and sketches. They were supported by Dana who sang some favourite hymns to Our Lady concluding with a rousing full version of Lady of Knock.

The Northern Catholic Conference, or NCC, is an event for Catholics of all ages and on the Saturday there was also a separate children’s and youth ministry programme. This comprised two groups – one for children aged 7-10 and

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feature

Above: Father Richard Reid addressed the Conference Below: Dana Spoke at the Conference

The sense of celebration at the conference was enhanced by a group of talented young musicians 6

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the other for 11 to 16-year-olds – and was led by Sister Roseann and Father Richard, both of whom are vastly experienced in communicating with young people. There was reconciliation and quiet prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament, together with a Mass celebrated by Father Frankie.

Father Sean Riley, concelebrating, gave a full explanation of the true meaning of the Mass. Thankfully the good weather also allowed for a picnic lunch in the grounds at Hope, where a Christian circus act performed for the youngsters.

The NCC was established

by Father Frankie Mulgrew, now serving in Salford Diocese, in consultation with the late Canon Jimmy Collins and it is essentially a celebration of the Catholic faith – a coming together of like-minded people who relish the opportunity to be renewed and refreshed by the richness of the truths of that faith, to be fed by the Word of God and nourished by the Holy Eucharist.

That said, it is open to all people of faith who seek a deeper relationship with Jesus and it is hoped that

the fruits of the NCC will continue to grow year by year.

The 2016 conference will take place on 19-21 June at Liverpool Hope University and accommodation, as per this year, will be available for the whole weekend on a full board basis in single en-suite rooms on the campus. Attendance as day delegates (non-residential) is also available.

For further information, contact Denise Pursall on 07543 800812 or write to Regina Coeli, 6 Warner Drive, Liverpool L4 8US.

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News diary 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

This stunning picture of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King was taken from the National Police Air Service helicopter which is based at Barton Airfield.

Appropriately enough it was taken on the day when the Gospel reading was from Matthew Chapter 5: ‘your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works they may give the praise to your Father in heaven’.

Let your light shine...’

Giving thanks for new life in the Church Bishop Tom Williams was the Celebrant and a number of parish priests concelebrated at a Mass of Thanksgiving with new Catholics in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Almost 100 people shared in the celebration including catechists, sponsors and godparents. For those received at Easter it was a joyful return to the place in which they celebrated the final stage of their journey to Easter: the Rite of Election.

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news diary American Civil war Tribute Obituary of

Kathleen Duffy

Bishop Tom Williams has blessed a plaque in memory of the estimated 100,000 Britons who served in the American Civil War. Set in Rumford Place and bearing the flags of the United Kingdom, USA and Confederates the memorial remembers those who volunteered to fight whether to end slavery or because they were resident in the US or who were just seeking adventure.

Newman Circle visit Rome

Four members from the North Merseyside Newman Circle, Howard Curtis, David Giles, Michael Burke and Peter Firth travelled to Rome and met up with their chaplain, Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, who is on a six month transfer from Oscott College to the Venerable English College in Rome.

Monsignor Fleetwood showed the group around the college with all of its historical significance where they were able to handle a tiny late 17th century handwritten, private prayer booklet from their local area.

The group joined the staff and current seminarians for an evening meal and met Cardinal Vincent Nichols who was visiting

the College. He spent some time discussing the activities of the Newman Circle.

The group also visited the International Centre of Newman Friends, not far from the Vatican, where they met Sister Irene, an Austrian nun from the Order of ‘Das Werk’ who is responsible for running the library, dedicated to the study of John Henry Newman.

They visited other historic religious buildings, including the church of Scala Santa, the Basilicas of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santi Quattro Coronati and San Clemente before spending their final day in the City on a walk through Rome.

Nursing Sister Kathleen Duffy, an Irish nurse who touched the lives of thousands, was a stalwart of the Archdiocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage for almost 60 years and who was honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of St Helens, died on Wednesday 27 May aged 85.

Kathleen worked all her life in the accident and emergency department of Providence Hospital in St Helens. She treated thousands of people, becoming famous for her no-nonsense methods of healing rugby players. If, after a match, a player ended up injured at Providence because of a bad pass, the pass was known as a ‘Sister Duffy pass’. The hospital visit would result in short painful treatment which always worked.

She spent all her life helping others, even on her summer holidays and after her retirement.

She would help the sick in Lourdes in southern France on the annual Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage.

She received many honours, but was a humble person who just wanted to get things done. However, she was bestowed with the Freedom of St Helens in 2000, and Pope John Paul II awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for her services to the Church. The flag at St Helens Town Hall was flown at half-mast on the day of her death.

Kathleen was born on a farm in Crookedwood, Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland in 1930, the eldest of five children. She attended Taughmon National School and Loreto Convent, Mullingar. Aged only 19, she decided to come to St Helens, where she had two cousins, and trained to be a nurse in Providence Hospital.

After she retired she volunteered to help young people in St Helens for many years, and finally worked with the blind and in the town's Millennium Centre. She was a sacristan at Holy Cross and St Helen church and attended daily Mass; her faith was the centre of her motivation to help others. She was a eucharistic minister and it was while visiting the sick that she was taken ill.

She died after a short illness and her Funeral Mass was celebrated at Holy Cross Church, St Helens.

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news diary Signs of Hope for ‘Mariapolis’

Proclaim ‘15 Proclaim '15 is the name of a new initiative by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to support, enthuse and equip parish evangelisation, it has five parts: 1. Preparation: Parish small group sessions – three evangelisationthemed sessions that have been provided for download from mid-January 2015.

by Christine Ashley This summer Liverpool Hope University hosts ‘Mariapolis’, a week of reflection, interest groups, creative workshops, trips and relaxing evenings from 28 July to 2 August; open to people of all ages, backgrounds, religious beliefs and cultures the Mariapolis has been dubbed ‘a meeting place for people who believe in the good of others’.

The programme will be based on ‘Signs of Hope’ and with something for everybody.

Each day will have a moment together as one big family, including sharing the events of the previous day, a simple prayer and a thought for the day. After this the children will be able to join with others of their their age and there will be a short session for the adults. Then there will be the opportunity to participate in groups on topics such as ‘the family today’, dialogue or join in a debate or a more lively activity. There will be a variety of workshops or trips in the afternoons.

Liverpool Hope University has sponsored a work of art ‘linking’ the two halves of the campus symbolising unity. It has been commissioned by Centro Arts, who built the Focolare Church in Loppiano, Tuscany, and is made up of two individual pieces which interweave to form the shape of an archway.

It will be inaugurated on Wednesday 29 July by Professor Gerald Pillay, the ViceChancellor.

Further details are available at www.focolare.org/gb or from the Liverpool Focolare Centres Tel: 0151 722 9899 or 0151 722 3981.

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2. Prayer: Network of prayer vigils parishes are invited to host an evening of prayer next Saturday, 11 July 2015.

3. Event: National Catholic Evangelisation Conference on 11 July 2015 in central Birmingham for 850 evangelisation representatives from across England and Wales. There is a quota of places allocated to each diocese, with live streaming also being explored to potentially enable every member of the Catholic community to participate.

4. Legacy: Local events - templates will be provided online to enable dioceses, pastoral areas, deaneries and parishes to have their own Proclaim '15 gatherings in autumn 2015 or spring 2016.

5. Resources: New Evangelisation resources – these will also be made available as a fruit of the National Conference to equip parish evangelisation in autumn 2015.

The Bishops have asked us to use and share this prayer throughout 2015: ‘Loving Father, You so loved the world that you sent us your only Son, that we might believe in him and have eternal life. May we encounter Jesus Christ anew this day and live the Good News with joy. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to “go out to the whole world and proclaim” our faith with confidence.

Give us the courage to witness to the Joy of the Gospel by our words and actions. Help our parish to become more welcoming and missionary, so that you may be known and loved by all people. We make this prayer through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.’

Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelisation, Pray for us.

Blessed John Henry Newman, Pray for us.

St Thérèse of Lisieux, Pray for us.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has invited every parish in England and Wales to host an evening of prayer on the same day as the national conference (July 11th) to pray for the work of evangelisation. Material for this can be found at: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/ Special-Events/Proclaim-15-BuildingMissionary-Parishes/EvangelisationPrayer There are 37 delegates from the archdiocese, led by Archbishop Malcolm and Bishop Tom. They met together in preparation on June 15th and will be travelling from all parts of the archdiocese (including 3 from the Isle of Man) to Birmingham next Saturday. After they return it is hoped that many new initiatives will emerge to help us celebrate the joy of the Gospel and to reach out in mercy to those in need and to those who have not heard the message of the love of God for them.

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news diary Liverpool priest plays his part in Three Queens event For one Liverpool priest, the Three Queens celebration in the River Mersey in May proved a particularly memorable occasion.

Father David Gamble, parish priest of Our Lady of Victories in Hightown and Holy Family Ince Blundell, was actually on board the Queen Mary 2, enjoying a privileged view as it sailed into the Mersey to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary.

Father Gamble was there in his role as cruise chaplain, providing pastoral support for the ship’s 1,000-strong crew. “It was a real honour and privilege for me, a Liverpool born and bred lad, to be part of this experience,” he said. “I joined the ship at Southampton and was there to support the crew.

It is not the first time that Father Gamble has served as a chaplain for the seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) – he had previously sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 from 1996 to 2002. Explaining his work on his recent journey around the British Isles on the Queen Mary 2, he added: “Everyone else on board expects something of the crew but my main duty was to assist the crew, to offer them the

Father Dave with his congregation aboard the Queen Mary 2

Sacraments as well as friendship and a listening ear. ““Many of them come from countries like the Philippines, India and Eastern Europe and have been at sea for months, away from family, and their contracts can be for as long as nine months. Due to their busy schedules, many are unable to receive the sacraments regularly. I was able to celebrate

Mass on board which they truly appreciated.

The presence of a chaplain on board offers them comfort, someone they can trust and speak to in confidence.”

AoS is a beneficiary of the annual collection in parishes for Sea Sunday, which this year takes place on 12 July. For more information, visit http://apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/sea-sunday

One thousand years’ service celebrated at Jubilarians’ Mass There was a celebration of more than 1,000 years’ service to the people of the Archdiocese of Liverpool when our Jubilarian priests gathered last month for Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

In total 21 priests across the Archdiocese have jubilee celebrations in 2015, from 25 years right up to 70, and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon gave thanks for their many years of service at the Mass.

Bishop Vincent Malone is among the priests celebrating a special anniversary this year, in his case, his diamond jubilee of 60 years. There are even two priests for whom 2015 marks a platinum jubilee: Father Kevin Ashton and Canon Richard Firth were ordained in 1945. Together, the 21 Jubilarians have served for a combined 1,010 years.

The Mass was celebrated on the Feast of the Sacred Heart and Archbishop Malcolm, citing Pope Francis’s focus on reconciliation, spoke in his homily of the priest’s power to reflect God’s mercy through forgiveness. ‘In answering the call of God, these jubilarians have through formation and prayer, service, devotion and

perseverance celebrated with their lives that power of God,’ he said. ‘For priests the best way in which the loving of God is shown is in penance.’

Reflecting on the priest’s role, he added: ‘Trying to deepen our understanding of God and of what it means to be human is very much the role of the priest; he is there to help people give meaning to their lives.

‘In honouring our priests today we thank them for the way they have shared with us

their hearts,’ he continued. ‘They have shared with us their vision of the truth and have worshipped for us in spirit and in truth and they have worshipped with us as we have offered our daily sacrifices with them. We thank them for the way in which they have revealed God’s mercy to those whom they have served, but above all we thank them for being the loving heart of Jesus throughout many years of dedicated ministry.’

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news diary SMG Sisters celebrate centenary at St Joseph’s Frances Taylor, founder of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, once told one of her young Sisters: ‘Serve God always but not always in the same way. Do all you can for love of Him.’ The words of Mother Magdalen Taylor – to use her full title – certainly apply to the SMG Sisters at St Joseph’s in Freshfield who celebrated 100 years of serving God in many different ways last month.

The Sisters marked their centenary with an outdoor Mass on 8 June, which Bishop John Rawsthorne celebrated alongside Canon Joe Kelly – the episcopal vicar for sick and retired clergy, and parish priest of St George’s, Maghull – and Father Paul Mooney, rector at the Mill Hill Missionaries.

In the words of one of the Sisters: ‘We thanked God for our history and all the kindness and help that we have received from the Friends of St Joseph, from our staff, our families, our Sisters and most of all for those we have been privileged to look after.’

Today the St Joseph’s site includes a care home with hydrotherapy pool for up to 36 people with learning disabilities, the Fernley day centre, and a convent and Prayer centre for retreats. The Frances Taylor Foundation on Merseyside, meanwhile, provides support for more

Bishop John Rawsthorne with Father Paul Mooney MHM on his right and Canon Joe Kelly on his left

than 300 people overall, many of them living in their own accommodation.

When the Sisters took over the original house on the site, donated by the Blundell family to Liverpool Archdiocese, they were tasked initially by Archbishop Thomas Whiteside with caring for children convalescing after TB. Their role has changed considerably over the years.

In the Second World War, St Joseph’s became an evacuation site. It was then a

home for children with complex needs and from the 1970s the children had their schooling on site. When the school closed, following a change of government policy (whereby young people under 19 had to be placed in the care of the community), the Sisters turned St Joseph’s into a home for disabled people.

This opened in 1990 and by the end of that decade the prayer centre had opened too.

UCM Celebration

The traditional procession of banners preceded the annual Mass for the Union of Catholic Mothers in the Metropolitan Cathedral. Bishop Tom Williams was the Celebrant and was joined by mothers from the Foundations in the Archdiocese and their guests.

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note I will seek him whom my soul loves.

On the 22nd of this month we keep the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, she who stood at the foot of the Cross, who went to anoint the body in the tomb and to whom the Risen Lord appeared on the Easter Morning, sending her to ‘tell my brothers’ that He would meet them in Galilee.

The Scripture which is given to us in the Liturgy of the Feast is a beautiful text from the Song of Songs of the Old Testament which is all about searching and finding and meeting – and surely that lies at the heart of the story of The Magdalene. Her encounter with Jesus transforms her life in such a way that she becomes one who is sent to others, even to the Apostles themselves, to be a herald of the Resurrection.

Our proclamation of the Risen Christ must be rooted in our first having encountered Him in our own lives, through prayer, through the reflection on the Scripture, through

Sunday thoughts

the sacraments.

We do not claim to have full and perfect knowledge (‘Now we see in a glass darkly’ 1 Corinthians 13:12), or indeed all the answers to all the questions, but what we do have is a certainty, founded in our personal experience, that the meeting with the Risen Christ, the Christ who has promised to be with us always, enriches our lives in so many ways and gives a depth and value to our days.

In one of the parishes in which I have served over these past 25 years they sang a hymn at the end of the school term, the chorus of which was: ‘Unless you are a seeker, You'll never be a finder’ How very true!

Wherever you are journeying over these next weeks of the summer break, I hope you travel in safety and find rest and refreshment – in whatever form that is needed!

the apostle of Scotland and the North of England.

Travelling was second nature to them. They were faithful to the Lord’s command and of necessity travelled light.

In the Sunday Gospel reading for 12 July, Jesus tells his disciples to travel light. He instructs them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses… ‘Do not take a spare tunic.’

I fail the first test of a disciple. I need a naval convoy to ferry me and my stuff across the Irish Sea: books and papers and files and a garage full of junk, and a cat and a dog. Prior to my departure for South America I was advised not to take God with me but that I would find him there already. And I did. I also found I could buy everything I needed.

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Love one another Many years ago, when working on a mission team I preached in, I was invited by an elderly lady to come and meet her family. When I arrived at the house the door was opened by Danny, who had Down’s syndrome.

He took me into the front room where there were three other people. One was a man with motor neurone disease.

One was a woman who had been raped and whose experience had left her barely able to do more than rock in the chair that she sat in.

The last was a woman unable to speak because of a stroke.

I presumed that I had arrived in the wrong place when the woman I had met at the church came into the room. She smiled at me and introduced her family. These people had been living together for 20 years and the care and compassion that bound them into one made them more of a family than some others I have met.

In a very real sense these people had been God with skin on for each other. I stayed with them for some time and was incredibly moved by their love of one another and their acceptance of one another.

Mgr John Devine OBE

I am adjusting to the idea that I am moving from Warrington. From the beginning of September I have been assigned to the Isle of Man. I am to take the place of Canon Philip Gillespie who is smiling above me on this same page of the Catholic Pic. I hope he will continue to write for the Pic from his new post in Rome.

Recent weeks have seen the feasts of Augustine, Boniface and Columba. Augustine was Italian and the apostle of England (or at least the Home Counties). Boniface (originally Wynfrith) was an Englishman and the apostle of Germany, Columba was Irish and from his monastery in Iona became

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Canon Philip Gillespie

I have a choice. Shall I hire a skip now or wait until I am dead and have someone else clear up after me? The cat and the dog are nonnegotiable but I need to be ruthless with the rest.

It made me realise yet again that when we learn to accept one another it is probably the greatest sign of God’s presence in the world.

We are called to be loving, forgiving peacemakers and yet so often our families and communities are anything but a sign of the living presence of God. Families and communities can be torn apart by the lack of acceptance of one another.

Often we are too much into controlling and manipulating others to accept and love them as they are.

If we are to be an example to those around us of the reality of God – just as that family in the northeast were an example to me – we have to learn the lesson of acceptance. That usually involves forgiveness and giving one another the benefit of the doubt. It always involves a prayer that the spirit will fill us with the power to move beyond ourselves so that we might be able to see with the eyes of Christ. It always helps to have a good dash of humour thrown in. That goes a long way to helping the mix!

Fr Chris Thomas

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nugent news

The special gift of time

Can we ever do enough? Many of us feel that we are always busy and never have enough time to do all the things we either should, or especially want, to do.

But there are people who actually do more than enough. They are our band of volunteers who do so much to help and support other people.

They give the special gift of time.

Volunteers Mary and Ray Pealing, Jim and Thelma Murphy, and Liz Goulding together with Mark Roche, Director of Finance and Business Support at Nugent Care, receive a donation from Adam Partridge Auctioneers When you hear the word ‘give’, it can be easy to presume this means giving a donation of money. But often it can be more generous and rewarding to instead give your time to charitable causes, helping those who need it most.

Nugent Care has more than 300 volunteers, some of whom have been generously giving their time for over 40 years. This is a testament to the dedicated commitment which they offer to us and the 5,000 people we support each year.

The roles our volunteers take up depend on what they want to get out of it; some work in our Allerton Road charity shop and other community projects, others help out in the care homes and schools and some assist with general administrative work at Head Office. Whatever their role, we ensure that they thrive in their position and enjoy their contribution to Nugent Care.

Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds with a wide age range and they personally get something different from the time they spend volunteering.

For some of our younger volunteers, the experience allows them to gain the necessary skills and experience to enter the world of work with confidence. For our older volunteers (some of whom are over 80 years old) often they have used one of our services in the past or been touched by our work and wish to give something back.

We also welcome volunteers who are vulnerable; a role within our organization often provides a much-needed contribution to their local community and enables them to meet new people when they ordinarily may have felt quite isolated.

We recently celebrated national volunteers week and it’s only right that such a valued section of our charity receives the praise and recognition they deserve. At Nugent Care, we wholeheartedly value each and every volunteer and embrace their personalities and skills.

So next time you consider whether you should ‘give’ to charity, consider whether you want to offer a one-off donation or something you and the charity may value even more – your time.

Our time must be the most precious gift that we can give to another person. It may be an hour here or there, or a regular commitment every week. It may be time given to support someone individually, or a group of people. It may be on committees that make recommendations or decisions. Or it may be time given to perform certain tasks, like collecting furniture, or admin work that are all essential supports and also make other things happen.

People who receive this special gift of time, or the benefits from it, often express great gratitude. We hear things like 'I do not know what I would do without her', 'I could not have managed if he had not done that for me', 'I would be lonely if she did not come to see me', ‘attending that group has given me a whole new lease of life,' and other grateful words.

And, we also hear amazing things from the people who give their gift of time. 'Volunteering has made me see things differently', I have made so many new friends since I have been volunteering here', 'I did not realise how much satisfaction I would get out of being a volunteer', 'volunteering has helped me get a paid job and looked great on my CV', ' the training offered to me was superb'.

We have lots of volunteering opportunities at Nugent Care and it is a great way of expressing your love for other people and living out your faith.

Please remember that whilst your time is precious to you it is more than doubly precious if you gift it to another.

Kathleen Pitt Chief Executive - Nugent Care

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what’s on Wednesday 1 July UCM Bi-monthly Mass 7.30 pm at St. Richard's, Liverpool Road, Skelmersdale, WN8 8BX. Diploma in Pastoral Ministry and Leadership Information Evening 7.30 pm at Liverpool Hope University, L16 9JD. Details: www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/Diploma Saturday 4 July ‘Responding to the Call.’

A Day of Recollection to support those exploring vocations to the Priesthood. Discover more about diocesan priesthood; talk with and hear from priests of the archdiocese and spend time in prayer and discussion. 10.00 am at St Charles’ Presbytery, 224 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 9PG. Further information from Father James Preston Tel: 0151 727 2493 or email: frjamespreston@gmail.com. Also on Facebook at /liverpoolvocations and on Twitter @LVocations Sunday 5 July St Joseph’s Prayer Centre Summer Garden Fete 1.00 pm at St Joseph’s, Blundell Avenue, Formby, L37 1PH. Annual Celebrate the Child Mass 3.00 pm at St Mary’s, Lowe House, St Helens, WA10 2BE. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Details: Safeguarding Department Tel: 0151 522 1043 or email: safeguarding@rcaol.co.uk Open air Mass organised by St Dominic’s, Huyton 3.00 pm in Yew Tree Cemetery, please come prepared for weather conditions.

Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July ‘Liturgy in Bloom’ Flower Festival to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St Oswald’s church, Longton, PR4 5EB. Church open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm on Sunday. Admission £3.

World of Atherton

Friday 24 July to Friday 31 July ‘Living Theology 2015.’

Understanding your everyday beliefs at St Francis Xavier’s church and Liverpool Hope UniversityEverton Campus, Liverpool, L3 8DR. Speakers include Father Gerry J Hughes SJ, Father Michael Smith SJ, Father Geoff Wheaton SJ and Ewa Bem. Cost and details Tel: 0151 298 1911. Email: d.reynolds@sfxchurchliverpool.com Saturday 11 July Car Boot Sale 8.00 am onwards in the Cathedral Car Park.

Pitches £10. Details from Claire Hanlon 0151 709 9222, Ext. 201 or c.hanlon@metcatherdal.org.uk Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of St Teresa of Avila ‘Advance with courage – listening to Teresa of Avila’ Day Retreat led by Gillian Coxhead at Sandymount Retreat Centre, 16 Burbo Bank Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TH. Details at www.sandymountretreats.org.uk Tel: 0151 924 4850 Email: info@sandymountretreats.org.uk

‘Orpheus and Eurydice’ Concert with the Cathedral Cantata Choir, Director: Richard Lea and Cathedral Orchestra, Conductor: Stephen Pratt. 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt Concert Room.

Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk Sunday 12 July Sea Sunday Animate Summer Festival and Lourdes Departure Mass Doors open at 12.30 pm with activities and workshops throughout the afternoon, concludes with Mass at 6.30 pm at St Mary’s, Lowe House, St Helens, WA10 2BE. Details Tel: 01744 740462 Email: admin@animateyouth.co.uk Web: www.animateyouth.org Sunday 12 July to Sunday 19 July ‘Sing a new song to the Lord’ Retreat led by Father Ian Kelly at St Joseph' Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, L37 1PH. Details: www.stjosephsprayercentre.com.

Tel: 01704 875850.

Tuesday 14 July Ministry Day 10.00 am at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. A day for anyone involved in ministry or the service of others, with time for silence and personal reflection. Offering £10 per person. For further details contact: Sr Winnie Morley. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Chapter Mass 12.15 pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Wednesday 15 July Cafod Annual Mass of Thanksgiving 7.00 pm St Oswald’s, Old Swan, Liverpool, L13 5SB. Speaker: Clare Dixon, Cafod’s Head of Latin America, who accompanied Bishop John Rawsthorne for the beatification of Archbishop Oscar Romero on the 23 May in San Salvador.

Friday 17 July A Short Concert from New Zealand With the Choir and Orchestra of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch, New

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july Zealand. Leader: Carlo Ballara. Conductor: Don Whelan. Music by Britten, Buxtehude, Byrd, Monteverdi, MacMillan, and Mozart. 1.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Sunday 19 July Lourdes Departure Mass 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Friday 17 July to Sunday 19 July ‘The Things That Make For Peace.’

National Justice and Peace Network annual conference at Swanwick to identify the real threats to human security and how we can work together to create a world without war. Speakers include Professor Paul Rodgers and Fr Edu Gariguez. Theological reflections from Rev Dr Martin Poulsom SDB.

Friday 24 July to Friday 31 July Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Tour Operator: Joe Walsh Tours, www.joewalshtours.ie Tel: 0151 909 2871 email: info@joewalshtours.ie

Saturday 18 July ‘Benedictine Experience Day’ 10.30 am to 4.00 pm at Saint Mary’s Priory, Broadfield Drive, Leyland, Preston, PR25 1PD. The day includes a time for prayer in common, workshops on the Benedictine way of life and the Benedictine charism, as well as opportunities to meet and talk with the monks. No charge, tea and coffee will be provided but please take a packed lunch with you. Details: Father Jonathan Cotton OSB Tel: 01772 455955. Email jonathancotton43@gmail.com

Saturday 25 July Summer Saturday Organ Recital 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Organist: Matthew Atherton (Aysgarth School). Admission free; retiring collection to defray expenses.

Sunday 26 July Day for Life Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August ‘Journeying into the heart of God’ Retreat led by Father Paul Rout OFM at St Joseph' Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, L37 1PH. Details: www.stjosephsprayercentre.com. Tel: 01704 875850.

Looking ahead: August 2015 Saturday 1 August ‘Responding to the Call.’

A Day of Recollection to support those exploring vocations to the Priesthood. Discover more about diocesan priesthood; talk with and hear from priests of the archdiocese and spend time in prayer and discussion.

10.00 am at St Charles’ Presbytery, 224 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 9PG. Further information from Father James Preston Tel: 0151 727 2493 or email: frjamespreston@gmail.com. Also on Facebook at /liverpoolvocations and on Twitter @LVocations Monday 3 August to Monday 10 August ‘Seeing God in all things’ Retreat led by Father Michael Beattie SJ at St Joseph’ Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, L37 1PH. Details: www.stjosephsprayercentre.com. Tel: 01704 875850.

Monday 31 August to Sunday 6 September ‘For me to live is Christ’ Retreat led by Monsignor Jeremy Fairhead at St Joseph' Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, L37 1PH. Details: www.stjosephsprayercentre.com. Tel: 01704 875850.

Monday 31 August to Monday 7 September Preached Retreat Led by Father Jim McManus CSSR at Sandymount Retreat Centre, 16 Burbo Bank Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TH. Details at www.sandymountretreats.org.uk Tel: 0151 924 4850 Email: info@sandymountretreats.org.uk Monday 31 August Mass of Thanksgiving for Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God 12.00 noon at St Anne and Blessed Dominic, Monastery Road, Sutton, St Helens, WA9 3ZD. September 2015 Thursday 3 September ‘Love others as you love yourself’ Exploring the Letters to all Christians. Scripture Morning led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at Irenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Tel 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

The Marriage and Family Life Department offers support meetings for Divorced and Separated Catholics These will begin again in mid-September.

We welcome Catholics and other Christians who are divorced or separated (recently or in the past) or who are experiencing the breakdown of a marriage or a long term relationship.

The small groups are informative, affirming, free and confidential. For information or to book a place please contact Frances Trotman Tel: 0151 727 2195. General enquiries can be directed to Maureen O’Brien, Tel: 0151 522 1044 Email: m.obrien@rcaol.co.uk

Tuesday 28 July to Sunday 2 August ‘Signs of Hope.’ Mariapolis A week of reflection, interest groups, creative workshops, trips and relaxing evenings with the Focolare at Liverpool Hope University. Details Website: www.focolare.org/gb or from the Liverpool Focolare Centres Tel: 0151 722 9899 or 0151 722 3981

Saturday 5 September ‘Responding to the Call.’

A Day of Recollection to support those exploring vocations to the Priesthood. Discover more about diocesan priesthood; talk with and hear from priests of the archdiocese and spend time in prayer and discussion.

10.00 am at St Charles’ Presbytery, 224 Aigburth Road, Liverpool, L17 9PG. Further information from Father James Preston Tel: 0151 727 2493 or email: frjamespreston@gmail.com. Also on Facebook at /liverpoolvocations and on Twitter @LVocations Tuesday 8 September Ministry Day 10.00 am at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. A day for anyone involved in ministry or the service of others, with time for silence and personal reflection. Offering £10 per person. For further details contact: Sister Winnie Morley. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Wednesday 9 September UCM Bi-monthly Mass 7.30 pm at St Benet, Copy Lane, Netherton, L30 7PE. Thursday 10 September ‘Love others as you love yourself’ Exploring the Letters to all Christians.

Scripture Morning led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at Irenaeus, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Tel 0151 949 1199 or email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Friday 11 September to Sunday 13 September ‘No ordinary God.’ Weekend Retreat Led by Dave Hopewood at Sandymount Retreat Centre, 16 Burbo Bank Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TH. Details at www.sandymountretreats.org.uk Tel: 0151 924 4850 Email: info@sandymountretreats.org.uk Sunday 13 September ‘Pause for Hope’ Service 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will preside and preach. The Rector of Liverpool, Rev dr Crispin Pailing will also take part. Michelle McMahon, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 39, will be speaking about her story and how her faith has helped her to cope. email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk

Archdiocesan website www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Catholic Pictorial

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profile

Father Jim Clarke

A Californian’s quest for the right balance by Patrick Hart San Diego, Orange County and Monterey may evoke sunnier thoughts than St Helens, Old Swan or Maghull but according to Father Jim Clarke, a recent two-day visitor to Merseyside, the challenges facing the priests of Los Angeles and Liverpool are surprisingly similar. The clue was in the theme of the Californian cleric’s retreat for Archdiocesan clergy on 11 June: ‘Finding God while managing a busy parish or two!’

With priests increasingly required to multitask, Father Jim came to LACE to remind his transatlantic brethren of their own spiritual needs. ‘It’s about caring not only for others but also for oneself, because we can only give away that which we’ve received,’ he said. ‘If they don’t have a vibrant relationship with Jesus then it just becomes another job.

‘The first purpose of these retreats is to offer the priests an opportunity to reflect upon the gift and challenge of being a priest in today’s society and today’s Church. Secondly it’s an opportunity for them to get together, see each other and listen to each other in an environment that’s not task-oriented.’

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For Father Jim, balance is everything if faith and life are to dovetail happily, as he tells students at St John’s Seminary in Los Angeles where he is director of spiritual formation. ‘I say to the seminarians, there are three things we need to remember – first, we’re human; second, we’re Christian; and third, we’re called to be priests. If we are humbly accepting of that order, we’ll be fine.

There’s a time for work and a time for leisure, a time for prayer and a time for ministry. It’s that wonderful challenge of how we do both.’

If the message is universal, it comes from the heart of Los Angeles Archdiocese – where he has lived his 34-year priestly ministry – with its five million Catholics and ‘54 languages in which the Eucharist is celebrated’. The Santa Monica native perceives within secular lives a questing for God. ‘The yearning to do well, be whole, be the best we can; that’s a striving for God. I think spirituality courses through the details of people’s activities, it’s there but sometimes we’re not clear about it. But once we figure things out and have the balance, everything plays out in its own time.’

Catechesis – ‘helping people unpack that mystery to more readily apply it to their life’ – was the focus of Father Jim’s three-week English stay, comprising 15 events across four dioceses and attracting not only clergy and catechists but headmasters, hospital and school chaplains and lay leaders.

His first 24 hours in Liverpool brought a repeat of last year’s LACE retreat for catechists as well as a mini-retreat for the Allerton Carmelites and the retreat experience certainly resonates deeply with the 61-year-old, who also serves as associate spiritual director at the Cardinal Manning House of Prayer for priests and part-time professor at Loyola Marymount University. ‘Ten to 15 per cent of my ministry is giving retreats, and that goes back to when I was 17 and I made my first retreat and it changed my life. From then on I really made a promise to God that, because it helped me so much, I wanted to be an instrument and help others via the retreat experience. I’ve been doing them for over 40 years.’

‘I was 17 and I made my first retreat and it changed my life’

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youth ministry

Ending the Animate year on a high note

Chris Jones reflects on a memorable year with the Animate Youth Ministries team – and looks forward to their summer events…

If you had asked me a year or so ago what I would be doing now, there is no chance I would have seen myself working with the Animate team, trying to inspire the young people of the Archdiocese. Yet here I am back at the place where my youth work vocation started some seven years ago, and the same zeal I had back then still burns to this day!

Twelve months ago I was in a good job with British Gas but there was something missing and, thankfully, a couple of emails and a lot of prayers later, I ended up in one of the team co-ordinator roles here at Animate.

This was a little bit like many prayers being answered all at once and more than a few times since I have asked myself when this dream would finish and I would go back to thinking about cavity wall insulation.

Thankfully it hasn’t finished; I have the best job in the world (which is the truth!) and the sense of joy I get

from working with young people and taking them on a journey – even for a few hours – has helped me become a better youth worker. There is always something new to learn.

When I think about what we have achieved as a team over the last academic year, it makes me feel quite proud: a Mission Week in Cardiff (not forgetting Charlotte’s broken foot); starting Nightfever in Liverpool; helping create some wonderful Lenten Services for our schools; our marvellous team pilgrimage to Rome; and building stronger relations with primary schools in our Archdiocese.

I now look forward to what may be in store next at Animate – with the new team arriving at the end of summer, the journey starts again – although there are a few things to keep us going before then.

conclude with our Lourdes Departure Mass. For me the journey to Animate really started in Lourdes a number of years ago, where I went as one of 400 young people gathered together in service and in faith. This same journey of faith will start for many others in only a few weeks’ time, leaving on nine different coaches and by plane – I hope to see you there, if not at one of our events beforehand.

We have schools still to work with, a Lourdes pilgrimage to look forward to and hopefully a few more laughs around the dinner table. There is also this year’s summer festival at Lowe House on 12 July, which will

Date for the diary Summer Festival: 12 July at Lowe House (12.30pm start, with Mass at 6.30). There will be games, activities, workshops, inflatables and much more.

All ages welcome.

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justice & peace

The Pope’s concerns for the planet

By Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker This page will try to give a flavour of the beautiful new encyclical by Pope Francis and to show that the pontiff’s well-known care for the poor is matched by his care for the earth.

The actual document is 185 pages long and its title, ‘Laudato si: on care for our common home’, is taken from the hymn of St Francis, the patron of his papacy: ‘Laudato Si, o mi Signore’ (Praise be to you, O my Lord!).

All the popes since John XXIII have written about concern for the environment but this is the first time that a pope has devoted an encyclical exclusively to the environment. ‘Faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet,’ he says in the third paragraph.

Pope Francis lays out both the scientific and the moral reasons for protecting God's creation, stating strongly that the Church should be as concerned about global warming as it is about poverty, misery, destitution and any other form of injustice. Concern for the ‘irreplaceable and irretrievable beauty’ (paragraph 35) of the earth is a moral issue which must be addressed by the whole world.

He reminds us that ‘The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all’ (par 23) and says: ‘Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.’ (par 25)

He warns about the uses of fossil fuels and calls for policies that develop renewable energy as the main source of the world’s energy. ‘We know that technology based on the use of highly polluting fossil fuels – especially coal, but also oil and, to a lesser degree, gas – needs to be progressively replaced without delay.’ (par 165) The history of ‘planet abuse’ has led to the continual loss of biodiversity in Amazonian rainforests, the melting of Arctic glaciers, the overfishing of the seas, air pollution, the pollution of the world's water supplies, rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, flooding, storms, crop failure and desertification.

All of these disastrous consequences of human behaviour have most impact on the poorest people, on those who have done least to cause the problems. The ones most responsible are the least affected: ‘We have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.’ (par 49) Speaking of the exploitation of the global South he comments in paragraph 51 on ‘the disproportionate use of natural resources by certain countries over long periods of time’ before going on to say that ‘we need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family. There are no frontiers or barriers, political or social, behind which we can hide, still less is there room for the globalization of indifference.’ (par 52)

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The Pope’s wish is that people see the need for imminent action and learn ‘how to live wisely, to think deeply and to love generously’ (par 47). He says: ‘It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face.’ (par 15) There are warnings against ignoring ecological warning signs – ‘human beings contrive to feed their selfdestructive vices: trying not to see them, trying not to acknowledge them, delaying the important decisions and pretending that nothing will happen’ (par 59) – and a call for us all to see that ‘our planet is a homeland and that humanity is one people living in a common home… Interdependence obliges us to think of one world with a common plan.’ (par 164) This plea for change is based on a mystical view of the world. ‘From the beginning of the world, but particularly through the incarnation, the mystery of Christ is at work in a hidden manner in the natural world as a whole, without thereby impinging on its autonomy,’ he writes in paragraph 99, before adding: ‘The very flowers of the field and the birds which his human eyes contemplated and admired are now imbued with his radiant presence.’(par 100) Together we can make a difference.

Thank God for Pope Francis.

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cathedral A postbox plaque for our Cathedral Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean The short document of introduction to the forthcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy highlights the importance that Pope Francis wants the church to give to this.

The Year begins from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in December which is also the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council.

What does Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral have in common with William Shakespeare, Blackpool Tower and the Beano? All are the subject of special postbox plaques unveiled around the country to mark the 50th anniversary of the Royal Mail’s special stamps.

Fifty plaques have been installed in locations with a particular connection with a featured stamp from years gone by and in the case of the Metropolitan Cathedral, the new plaque on a postbox on Hope Street shows a stamp which appeared in 1969 as part of the British Cathedrals issue.

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon was present at the unveiling on 8 June and said: ‘I am delighted that Royal Mail has chosen this unique way to celebrate a special local landmark through a stamp on a local postbox, giving the community an opportunity to share in the tribute.’

York Minster, which appeared in that same Cathedrals collection from 46 years ago – along with Canterbury, Durham, St Paul’s, and St Giles’ in Edinburgh – was also selected. The eclectic range includes everything from tennis player Andy Murray to Llandudno Pier via Bagpuss, the saggy old cloth cat from the classic 1970s BBC children’s series.

There have been 2,663 special stamps issued in total since July 1965 when the very first collection appeared to mark the death of Winston Churchill. The centenary of the Salvation Army and the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Britain were also among the nine collections issued in that first year.

The special stamps programme, introduced by the late Tony Benn during his time as Postmaster General, serves to commemorate important anniversaries or events of national importance and also to reflect significant contributions made to British life and mirror changes in society and culture at large. Every new stamp design has been approved by Queen Elizabeth II prior to being issued.

Speaking of the Metropolitan Cathedral plaque on Hope Street, Tony Baxter, the delivery director of the Royal Mail, said: ‘The UK’s towns and cities have influenced stamp designs over the past 50 years. We are proud that one of our postboxes in Liverpool features the stamp of our famous cathedral. We hope that all our customers and visitors to Liverpool enjoy this special stamp plaque and might even take their own selfie as a memento.’

A special online gallery showing every single special stamp issued is available to view at www.rmspecialstamps.com

It is hoped that parishes and groups of people will come on pilgrimage to the Cathedral during this year to attend Mass or arrange their own penitential/prayer service.

We will designate one of the entrances to the Cathedral as a Holy Door for pilgrims.

The significance of a special entrance is to symbolise that we make a fresh start and walk with Christ in a humbler way in need of the mercy and forgiveness of God. The only practical concern for the Cathedral to cope with is that having another door permanently open during the day for the winter months will no doubt add to the drafts and cold within the building.

Many of the events and services throughout the month of July are linked to the end of the academic year. Runnymede hold their prize giving evening at the Cathedral on 9th July, followed by a leavers Mass for year sevens from a number of Liverpool schools on 10th July. On Thursday 16th July St Peter and St Paul High School, Widnes, celebrate their 20th Anniversary with a thanksgiving Mass at the Cathedral for pupils, staff, governors and parents. Later in the month Liverpool Hope University hold their Graduation Ceremonies within the Cathedral from 21st to 23rd July.

Also in the month the Chapter of Canons meet here on 14th July and the Lourdes Departure Mass is at 3.00 pm on 19th July.

For those winding down for the holidays there is a gin festival in the Crypt on Saturday 25th July: unfortunately not my tipple.

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Pic extras

Mums the Word July brings the 70th anniversary of the Union of Catholic Mothers’ first pilgrimage to Walsingham. Our Mass there takes place at 11.30am on Tuesday 7 July and will be celebrated by Bishop Alan Williams, recently appointed as National Episcopal Liaison Bishop to the UCM; also concelebrating will be Father David Potter for the first time as our Liverpool spiritual adviser.

For this special year all members are asked to wear a white rose (real or artificial) to add to our own natural beauty. Let’s hope that those who are going enjoy a wonderful, prayerful time.

• Members of the Holy Rosary foundation have been nominated by Nugent Care for a ‘Dignity in Care’ award for the great support that they offer to the society. Well done and congratulations; we hope that you come out on top of the four nominees who have been put forward.

• On 1 June, six members of the diocesan committee attended the annual divisional celebrations of the northern sector of the Salvation Army, held in Southport. We received a wonderful welcome and heard Major James Williams talk about his life in the organisation – what splendid social work the Army does. Their members are so enthusiastic and joyful and they had us singing along to their songs. A big thank you goes to them – ecumenism in action.

• A copy of a letter from Mrs Terri Coombs, former national president, is being sent to each foundation for discussion. The topic is ‘Is the UCM still a viable organisation?’ so come on, ladies, please air your views at your meetings and let Kate Moss (diocesan secretary) have your comments quickly. Isn’t it true that 70 is the new 50? We know that some things need updating but enthusiasm and drive are still with us. Let’s show that Liverpool UCM is still up and running.

• Finally, I came across this thought the other day: ‘It was only a sunny smile And little it cost in the giving; But like morning light It scattered the night And made the day worth living.’

(F Scott Fitzgerald) Sounds like many a UCM member to me…

Madelaine McDonald

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News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

The remarkable story of Mary’s Meals One of the worthy causes supported by the Knights of St Columba is Mary’s Meals, a charity established by a former Scottish fish farmer which today provides over one million nutritious school meals daily to some of the world’s poorest children.

The precise number is 1,035,637 in 12 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean – with the contribution of supporters including the KSC helping the number of children receiving meals rise by more than 45,000 alone since the beginning of 2015.

The charity’s founder and CEO, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, has said it is remarkable to think that a million children are now eating Mary’s Meals every day in some of the world’s poorest countries – and the origins of his aid work only underline the scale of his achievements.

MacFarlane-Barrow originally established a charity, Scottish International Relief (SIR), in 1992 to take aid supplies to Medjugorje during the Balkan conflict.

Mary’s Meals grew out of SIR in 2002 after he visited Malawi during a famine and met a mother dying of AIDS. When he asked the woman’s eldest son Edward what his dreams were in life, the response was a simple wish to have enough food to eat and to go to school one day. In that encounter lay the origins of Mary’s Meals.

It was a project both simple in concept and extremely effective in practice – locals

supplied the cooking, volunteers staffed the catering facilities and Mary’s Meals provided the raw materials financed by charitable giving and fund-raising projects.

MacFarlane-Barrow, 47, has received much praise for the efforts of his organisation in helping the poor. He was recently included in the list of Britain’s Top 100 Catholics compiled

by The Tablet to celebrate its 175th anniversary and he has been described as one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine.

You can find out more about this project and how to donate by visiting www.marysmeals.org, or alternately read MacFarlaneBarrow’s extraordinary story in his book ‘The Shed That Fed a Million Children’.

Websites: www.ksc.org.uk and www.kscprov02.weebly.com Email: DPOKeane@aol.com

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PIC Life A memorable walk for Right To Life

By Moira Billinge The outward journey to Clitheroe for the May Bank Holiday Right To Life (RTL) annual sponsored walk had a different feel to it this year. As the Merseyside contingency travelled away from the area we were conscious that an estimated 1.5m people were heading towards it to watch the three Cunard cruise ships, the Three Queens, arrive in the River Mersey.

This year’s sponsored walk was in memory of the late and much-loved Jim Dobbin who had been the Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton and ViceChairman of the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group. We were extremely moved and delighted that his widow, Pat, joined us on the walk, retracing the route she had taken with Jim in previous years. Pat said that Jim would have wanted her to be there, and it meant so much to us that she was.

Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Kelly, with great generosity, chose to accompany us on the eight-mile walk rather than attend the Three Queens event. He carried with him the crozier which had accompanied us on many previous sponsored walks and is a poignant reminder of the first crossing of Morecambe Bay that he made with Right To Life, following the February 2004 cockle pickers’ tragedy. He conducted a beautiful service at the water’s edge then to remember the 23 Chinese migrant labourers who had perished and to commend the sea back to God. Lord David Alton of Liverpool spoke about the importance of the work of Right To Life in the ongoing fight for vulnerable human life in Parliament. After noting that 600 unborn babies are now aborted every working day in the UK, he related the true story of a student who was going to have an abortion against the wishes of the baby’s father. Eventually, seeing how

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much he wanted his baby to live, the mother decided against the abortion, but said that he would have to take responsibility for the child. Years later, Lord Alton told this story to a group of university students and afterwards a lecturer came up to him and said, ‘I was that student and my daughter has just started at university’. Truly, the person who saves a single life, saves the world.

It was a great privilege for us that Bishop John Arnold, the Bishop of Salford, could join the walk for the first of what we hope will be many more occasions. He blessed the gathering before we set off – and duly completed the walk ahead of most of us.

Fiona Bruce, the Conservative MP for Congleton and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group, took part also together with her husband, Richard.

Little did she realise when she became Vice-Chairman of the APPPLG with Jim Dobbin, how soon the baton of responsibility would be handed over to her by his untimely death. However, he would be justifiably proud of the way she has coped, and the courage and determination that she has continued to demonstrate in Parliament on behalf of all vulnerable human life.

Our walkers (over 90) came from across the country, encompassed all ages, and included five priests, a vicar and the Archdiocesan press officer for Liverpool, Peter Heneghan.

Yet again, we are eternally grateful to Mgr John Corcoran of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Clitheroe and to his stewards and wonderful parishioners who provided refreshments at the end of the event. We are also very grateful to everybody who took part in the walk and to those who sponsored it. To the Carmelite Sisters of Maryton Grange and to all who kindly prayed for our safe travel and good weather – thank you, your prayers were answered.

From words of Pope Francis A mustard seed is tiny yet Jesus says that faith this size, small but true and sincere, suffices to achieve what is humanly impossible, unthinkable.

Lord, help us to find a way of planting a seed of happiness in someones heart today.

Please send your favourite prayer to: Barbara, Catholic Pictorial, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS When sending your favourite prayer please let us have your name and which parish you attend, also your home telephone number which will not be published, without the details we are unable to publish.

Worth a visit

If any readers are planning a holiday in Germany this summer, Cologne is certainly worth a visit – not least its famous cathedral with its shrine to the Three Holy Kings, writes Lucy Oliver.

Dating from the late 12th century, the shrine to the Magi is the largest and arguably most ostentatiously ornamented reliquary to survive the Middle Ages. Nicholas of Verdun, the goldsmith, and his workers were responsible for the decoration of the large sarcophagus – using gold, silver and precious stones – after the relics arrived in Cologne from Milan in 1164 and Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar were claimed as patrons of the city. Since then, restoration work has preserved its scenes from the story of salvation and the Last Judgement, intricately carved into the gold.

Cologne Cathedral stands on a site where the first Christians would have assembled in Roman times, and was rebuilt in the gothic style in the early 14th century. A climb up the south tower offers views across the city from 100m high (or 533 steps.) The bell of Saint Peter is said to be the largest freely swinging church bell in the world at over 24 tonnes. Visit daily from 9-5pm (March to October) and until 4pm in winter (except December).

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join in Eating Out

Children’s word search We have chosen the Apostle Andrew for our word search for July. See what you can learn about this great saint from our clues.

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APOSTLE PREACHER CHOSEN

FISHERMAN FISHER OF MEN

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Enjoy a relaxing meal with the family at one of our listed restaurants.

Jasmine Tree Chinese Restaurant Union Street, Southport 01704 530141 Galleria Warrington Road, Rainhill 0151 430 9212 Morris Dancers Southport Road, Scarisbrick 01704 880201 Greek Taverna South Road, Waterloo 0151 293 3229 Royal Oak Liverpool Road, Aughton 01695 422121 Plough Inn Spa Lane, Lathom 01695 722322

More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy A few weeks ago, Father Mullarkey told the Young Curate he should go over the potatoes he’d planted with a heavy roller so they’d come up already mashed.

When the YC met Danny Melling, who is a bit of a comic himself, he told him what Father Mullarkey had said.

Cards from the Carmelite Monastery A small selection of our cards

“That’s not a bad idea,” said Danny, “but I water my grass with whisky.”

“What for?” said the YC. “So it will come up half cut.”

Audio copy of the Pic out now An audio version of the ‘Catholic Pictorial’ is available free of charge, compiled by students, technicians and Chaplain, Helen Molyneux, at All Hallows RC High School, Penwortham

There is a lovely selection of cards at the Carmelite Monastery Shop, Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, Liverpool L25 3NU.

Anyone interested in receiving the audio copy should contact Kevin Lonergan Tel: 01772 744148 or 01772 655433 (home).

Cards for all occasions of high quality and very well priced are on sale, phone the card shop 0151 724 7102 or email: marytoncards@outlook.com or visit the shop personally if you prefer.

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