Cath pic sept 2015

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Issue 132 SEPTEMBER 2015

ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

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Lourdes 2015

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contents Welcome This month we reflect on our archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, always such a special time for us all. ‘Two grateful pilgrims’ have written to me and although they do not wish to be named what they say is a fitting tribute to all involved: ‘We as pilgrims can never imagine the enormous amount of work involved to organise such a massive event. To all those who work behind the scenes, the youth, the hospitalite, the music groups, the medical team, and all those individuals that ensure the pilgrimage runs smoothly, our sincere thanks. Words cannot express the happiness you bring to so many and now as we return home a little sad but also happy as we bring back many treasured memories. We can only assure you all of our prayers and look forward to seeing you all again next year.’

Our prayers and thanks go to all involved.

As we begin September we look forward; among the many events planned is a series of lectures at the Metropolitan Cathedral on the Second Vatican Council; a Mass of Thanksgiving as the Daughters of St Paul celebrate their 60th anniversary of their foundation in this country, and a time to prepare for the Holy Year of Mercy which begins in December. So much to be grateful for.

From the Archbishop’s Desk One of the highlights of my annual holiday in France is the Feast of the Assumption, and this year was no exception. In some respects it is always the same; the whole village gathers for Mass celebrated in the open air and it is followed by a procession around the fields and plenty to eat and drink. The local band strikes up and the festivities continue into the late evening. It is a holiday for everyone and a holy day as well.

Holidays are not always seen as holy. But even without knowing it, many people are celebrating much that is holy in their lives when they rest from work and spend time with those they love and care for. Our lives are often very busy with school or work, and a break in the routine gives us a space to recognise how valuable we are to each other and how much we matter to God our father. Strengthening friendships and catching up on relationships is an essential part of holidaying. It is also a time to do both these things with God.

Contents 4

Main Feature Embracing the mission of Lourdes

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News From around the Archdiocese

14 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 15 Nugent News Daring to raise funds for Nugent Care 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 18 Profile Joshua Dixon and Joseph ChampionsWilliams Exploring their calling to the priesthood 19 Animate Youth Ministry Reflections on Lourdes

Physical refreshment goes hand in hand with spiritual renewal. God is never far away sustaining each of us in his love. As our bodies become revitalised for the year ahead so our spirits are lifted and our relationship with God is renewed or re-created.

20 Justice and Peace What do you think of when you hear the word refugee?

So holidays are still holy-days if only because recreation re-creates.

25 Cathedral Record Preparing for the Year of Mercy

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

Editor Peter Heneghan 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

26 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC Copy deadline October issue 11 September 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 Learn from your mistakes – but don’t be burdened by regrets 29 Join In Family Fun More Mullarkey

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Embracing the mission o The Liverpool Archdiocese Youth lived out ‘the Joy of M

By Michael Meadows On Thursday 23 July the young people of Liverpool Archdiocese embarked on a 27-hour coach journey to Lourdes, commissioned to witness and participate in ‘The Joy of Mission’ on our annual pilgrimage.

Nine coaches departed from points all around the diocese for a week of service, prayer, and very little sleep in the French Pyrenean town.

Every year we ask our young people to

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open their minds to a particular theme in the build-up to our trip. The themes always assist our coach communities to grow in faith and friendship before, during and after our pilgrimage, and this year was no exception. I have been going to Lourdes for 10 years now, and the 2015 pilgrimage theme is the one which has provoked the most thought.

During our meetings beforehand, and even on the journey, there was a regular discussion between youth and staff alike: ‘What does this mean to you?’

The consistent responses among friends seemed to be centred round everyone being drawn to Lourdes by a common goal or purpose – or a tenuous link to an American spy film franchise. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense that after last year’s theme of ‘The Joy of Conversion’, we were now being handed our latest missions … should we choose to accept them.

The first mission impossible was to get to know each other. Our young pilgrims

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of Lourdes Misson’ on the 2015 pilgrimage had had the opportunity to chat during the regular preparation meetings, but what better way to forge friendships than the aforementioned and much fabled 27hour coach journey? After plenty of laughs, a couple of games of football at service stations and enduring the traditional coach screening of Grease, we arrived in Lourdes a little tired but full of the spirit and ready to embark on our 2015 week of service.

The week began with our Youth Pilgrimage Welcome Mass where Father

Simon Gore took the chance to provide every coach with a mission box and a collection of specially assigned tasks for us to undertake in Lourdes. The youth pilgrims had to get their task card signed off by a staff member and tweet photographic evidence for use in the Departure Mass to @AnimateYouth.

Missions included posting ‘Deus Caritas Est – God is Love’ on social media and taking photos with each coach leader, Archbishop Malcolm and another religious (a #SisterSelfie, in some cases).

‘Our primary mission throughout Lourdes 2015 was to display the selfless acts of service that the Liverpool youth have long embraced’ Other tasks included doing something to assist a staff member, wearing a ‘Free hugs’ badge around town, and presenting someone on the pilgrimage with a glowin-the-dark Mary figurine. It was a great way to get people interacting across the coaches and certainly one which everyone embraced. The Welcome Mass concluded with a rousing rendition of ‘We Are The Free’ by Matt Redman, including a spontaneous ‘Pilgrimage Poznan’ (for non-football fans, imagine a crowd of people with backs to turned the spectacle and arms around their neighbours’

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feature shoulders, all bobbing up and down).

Our primary mission throughout Lourdes 2015 was to display the selfless acts of service that the Liverpool youth have long embraced.

This included the regular duties of assisting the sick pilgrims in getting to Mass and travelling around the town, spending time with them in cafes and shopping, and providing entertainment in the St Frai Hospital where many of them stay. Our over-18 and St Frai team volunteers were tasked with additional, more personal duties in the hospital itself, assisting pilgrims with their daily routines, at meal times and, of course, taking opportunities to build bonds over a cup of tea.

Some of our more experienced young pilgrims were also given the opportunity to work as volunteers in the baths, where they helped pilgrims from around the world to bathe in the waters. Many of those requiring assistance at the baths would be suffering from illnesses or needing help with mobility, and our youth were on hand to provide caring, sensitive service at a time of particular vulnerability. As they discovered, language is no barrier when we have been brought together through faith and service.

Throughout the week we took part in many memorable services with the pilgrims, including the International Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Blessed Sacrament Procession.

These experiences, shared with our pilgrim friends from around the world, provided our young people with another opportunity to see how we were all called together by our common faith.

‘Holiness doesn't mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith’ 6

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The spirit of community among the ‘yellows’ was particularly evident when we participated in the Torchlight Procession at dusk in the domain.

Youth, Hospitalité and independent pilgrims from Liverpool all processed together, alongside other diocesan groups – including pilgrims from Brentwood, Westminster, Metz – and the Order of Malta. Starting under the arches by the Grotto, we walked around the domain while praying the Rosary together, with the area illuminated only by candlelight.

It is always a fantastic way to conclude

our time in Lourdes, with plenty of time to think about our experiences shared as a group and alongside the sick pilgrims. One member of our Coach 7 team, Richard Partner, will have voiced the feelings of many when he described the ‘unique unity’ he felt as a young Liverpool pilgrim.

‘I worked with the visually impaired and this was one of the most inspirational and heart-warming experiences of my life,’ he said. ‘John, the pilgrim I had the fortune of caring for, helped make my week one of enjoyment with the wide, beaming smile that greeted every person that he met. There was a unique unity created by all members of the Liverpool pilgrimage which was a pleasure to experience and helped me to appreciate the joy of mission.’

Richard, 17, spoke also of the importance of the ‘Mission Impossible’ theme. ‘It helped me to understand that as a young generation we can be strong together in faith and that there is no reason to be shy,’ he said. ‘As Pope Francis said, ‘Holiness doesn't mean doing extraordinary things, but doing ordinary things with love and faith’ and our next mission is to continue expressing our faith in what we do in our ordinary lives.’

The week ended with a celebration service for the Liverpool Youth Pilgrimage, and an opportunity to see the photographs of all of the successful missions completed. ‘The Joy of Mission’ was evident to all, as we were shown a series of selfies, images of faith in action and examples of why it is always good to be nice to the staff team! We listened to a couple of inspiring faith stories, a fantastic sign language presentation from Coach 5 and a drama from the Animate team, all of which provoked thought about the time we had collectively shared.

Our time in Lourdes ended as it had started, with typically enthusiastic singing and a ‘Pilgrimage Poznan’.

Thanks to all of the fantastic young people, staff team members, chaplains and all who participated or helped us prepare for a wonderful week of mission, prayer and friendship. See you in 2016.

Michael Meadows was a staff team member on the Sefton coach to Lourdes

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Columbans give thanks for wonderful year

Fr Jim Fleming greeting parishioners after Mass at St Benet’s parish, Bootle.

2015 has been a wonderful year for the Columban Missionaries. The 1400th anniversary of St. Columban, their patron, the release of Laudato Si’, supporting Proclaim ’15 in Birmingham and the privilege of sharing their experience of mission in the parishes of the Liverpool Archdiocese through the Annual Mission Appeal.

To round off the year and to give thanks for the warm welcome and generous support they have received, all are invited to a day exploring responses to Pope Francis’ new encyclical on the environment. The Columbans have long been a prophetic voice in the campaign for greater awareness of climate change and its impact on the poorest communities.

By joining them at The Conference Centre at LACE on Saturday 24th October, you can discover practical ways to respond to Laudato Si’ and share its message with others.

Bookings and enquiries to the Columban Mission Office on 01564 772 096 or helen.dufficy@columbans.co.uk

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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

Thank you Miss McKean Children, parents, staff and governors of St Monica’s Catholic Primary School in Bootle offered their thanks and best wishes to Miss Margaret

St Paul’s Centenary celebrations There is a very special anniversary this month for the Daughters of St Paul from Bold Street’s famous Pauline Books and Media as they celebrate the Centenary of their Foundation and the 60th anniversary of their Foundation in Great Britain.

They were founded by Blessed James Alberione to carry out a new form of evangelization by living and witnessing to the Faith through communications, a mission continued to this day.

To celebrate their anniversary all are invited to Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP on Sunday 20 September 2015 at 4.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool.

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McKean who retired after teaching at the school for her entire career, lasting 39 years.

Miss McKean started teaching at St

Monica’s in 1976 has seen many changes: the old infant school, where she started teaching, is now the parish club, and Margaret was part of the infant staff who left the original school to join the junior school on Kelly Drive 21 years ago. She also saw the school refurbished in 2008 into the building and facilities enjoyed today.

The school invited Margaret to join the traditional Year 6 leavers Mass in July, which was celebrated by Bishop Tom Williams and Father Patrick Sexton. At the Mass Bishop Tom presented her with a Papal blessing and the infant children also surprised her with a special song which they had all learned for her.

The celebrations didn’t end there. Tony Snell from BBC Radio Merseyside surprised her by phoning school to speak to her live on air on his breakfast show to thank her for all her work and this was special too as Margaret listens to his show every day. On her final day of teaching, the staff presented Margaret with cards and gifts at the final assembly of the year and this time it was the turn of the junior children to surprise her with another specially written song dedicated to her.

Headteacher, Paul Kinsella, said ‘Miss McKean has dedicated her whole teaching career to our school, our parish and our families. She has always been a standard bearer for everything good about the teaching profession and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude. Her contribution has stretched beyond Bootle, and her service to the Archdiocese, and indeed to the teaching community of Liverpool has been exceptional.’

Congratulations!

Our congratulations go to Catholic Pic cartoonist Bernard Atherton and his wife Doreen who celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary on Thursday 3 September. For most of those sixty years Bernard has given faithful service as resident cartoonist at the Catholic Pic. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this special time.

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news diary Clergy Appointments The following appointments will become effective during September 2015: Parish Priest Rev John Cullen

Rev Philip Kehoe FDP Mgr John Devine

Rev David Heywood

Rev Paul Grady Rev Philip Inch

Rev Stephen Pritchard

Rev Bruce Walles

From: St Edmund and St Thomas, Waterloo To: St Edmund, Waterloo To: St Teresa, Upholland From: St Benedict, St Mary and St Oswald, Warrington To: St Mary of the Isle, Douglas, Isle of Man From: St Margaret Clitherow, Leigh To: St Benedict, St Mary and St Oswald, Warrington From: Holy Name, Fazakerley To: St Margaret Clitherow, Leigh From: Our Lady of the Assumption, Liverpool To: St Teresa and St Mary Magdalen, Penwortham From: Liverpool Hope University To: Our Lady of the Assumption, Liverpool From: Liverpool North Pastoral Area To: St Benet, Netherton

Additional Responsibility: Rev Dominic Curran To: St Thomas, Waterloo Administrator: Rev Sergio Haro SDB

From: St Jude, Wigan To: Blessed Sacrament, Liverpool

Other Appointments: Canon Philip Gillespie

Rev Peter McGrail

Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP) Assistant Priest: Rev Michael Moss FDP Rev Matthew Jolley Rev John Meehan

Rev Liam Collister

Rev Stephen Lee Rev William Murphy Rev Joseph Kendall

Retirement: Rev Francis Ferns Rev Brendan Rice Rev Austin Griffin Rev Sean O’Connor Rev Anthony Reynolds

From: St Mary of the Isle, Douglas, Isle of Man To: Rector: Pontifical Beda College, Rome From: Carmelite Monastery, St Helens To: St Sebastian, Liverpool (Resident) To: St Mary, Warrington (Shrine)

To: St Teresa, Upholland From: Recent Ordination To: Holy Name, Fazakerley From: Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Liverpool To: St Paul and St Timothy, Liverpool From: Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool To: St Julie and St Teresa, St Helens From: Recent Ordination To: Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool From: Blessed Sacrament, Liverpool To: St Wilfrid, Widnes From: St Wilfrid, Liverpool To: St Jude, Wigan

From: All Saints, Liverpool From: Irenaeus From: St Teresa and St Mary Magdalen, Penwortham From: St Benet, Netherton From: St Wilfrid, Widnes

Bishop Tom celebrates ‘Lourdes at Home’ As Archbishop Malcolm McMahon led our pilgrims in Lourdes Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams travelled throughout the Archdiocese leading services in unity with them.

With the theme ‘Lourdes at Home’ there were celebrations at St Austin’s, Thatto Heath, St Helens, St Richard’s, Skelmersdale, St Anne’s, Ormskirk and St Margaret Mary’s, Liverpool. Each day included Mass, the anointing of the sick, a Holy Hour and candlelight procession.

Bishop Tom is pictured during the anointing of the sick at St Anne’s in Ormskirk.

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‘Signs of Hope’ Mariapolis in Liverpool

Bishop Brendan Leahy, Dr J.S. Puri and Mohammed Ali Shomali at the Mariapolis

Historic concert at Crosby Hall London-based professional ensemble, Cappella Fede are to perform ‘Armada to Armageddon: Sounds of Recusant Britain, 1588–1688’ in the intimate atmosphere of the Barn at Crosby Hall, Little Crosby, by courtesy of the Blundell family and the trustees of the Crosby Hall Educational Trust (CHET). The concert will take place on Sunday, 11 October 2015, at 5.00 pm.

The restored Barn was almost certainly the place on the Blundell of Crosby estate in which Mass was covertly celebrated for the large Catholic community known to have lived in the parish of Sefton in the seventeenth century.

Cappella Fede will be performing music composed between the Spanish Armada of 1588 and the fall of the Catholic, James II, in 1688 including a number of sacred songs in English: composed around 1610, probably in south-west Lancashire for the Catholic community, which are preserved in the Great Hodge Podge, a seventeenthcentury manuscript in the Blundell archives.

Tickets are limited to just 100 and cost £20 each. Following the concert a Polish version of a Lancashire Hot Pot Supper, prepared by CHET's Polish chef, will be served. Tickets for the supper are £10.

For further information and tickets Tel: 0151 924 9099.

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Over 700 people from all over the United Kingdom gathered together at Liverpool Hope University for five days to take part in the Focolare Mariapolis with the theme ‘Signs of Hope’. It was the first time that the event had been jointly hosted by the Focolare in Britain and Ireland.

Among the keynote speakers were Bishop Brendan Leahy of the Diocese of Limerick, Mohammed Ali Shomali, Director of the Islamic Centre of England and Dr J.S. Puri, a leader of the Sikh community in Ireland.

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon celebrated Mass for the delegates on Saturday 1 August.

Among the themes discussed were interfaith dialogue, Christian unity, the impact of the Gospel on society, the environment, family and education.

Bishop Leahy said: ‘Love is key to dialogue. Members of other religions share the golden rule in common: “Do to others what you would like to be done unto you; don’t do to others what you wouldn’t like to be done to you”.’

Cathy Stoneley from Crosby, one of the delegates said, ‘the Mariapolis is where it can be seen that a united world is possible. This year’s Mariapolis gave hope for a united world with no prejudices. We had a wonderful time, sharing experiences and days out which gave an opportunity to put our learning into practice’.

Anastasia Leadbetter from Wirral reflected, ‘the experience is amazing, the love, the happiness; the strength everyone's got is the same as everyone wants the same. That is so powerful that all of us have this powerful thing between us. A magical heart strengthening experience with wonderful people.’

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Diamond celebration for Father Leo On Friday 17 July 2015, the sixtieth anniversary of his priestly ordination Father George Leo Lynch celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving at Our Lady of Compassion, Formby. The large congregation included family, friends and brother priests together with people from the nine parishes of the Archdiocese in which he has served, including his first parish St. Helen’s, Crosby, his last one St. Joseph’s, Blundellsands, as well as parishes in the Isle of Man. The homily was given by Father Chris Fallon, whose first appointment, in 1978, was to Our Lady of Walsingham, Netherton, where Father Leo was the parish priest. Reflecting on the readings of the Diamond Jubilee Mass, Father Chris commented that, like the prophets of old, Father Leo had gone wherever he had been sent by the Lord. Always ready to gather God’s people to listen to the Word and celebrate the Eucharist, Father Leo had taken to heart the words of the Gospel so that joy and love became the hallmarks of his ministry. He concluded

by saying: ‘Leo you have been a powerful witness to the love of God among us and you have poured out your life in the service of others. Our prayer today is that you will come to know evermore deeply the love that God has for you and for each of his creatures, and that your joy will be complete’.

When the celebration was over, the Diamond Jubilarian said: ‘It has all been like a dream…’

During the Diamond Jubilee Mass, Fr Leo Lynch receives his stole, symbol of priesthood, from his sister, Mary Pearson.

Come and See in Southport This year in Christ the King School Southport, on the 3rd and 4th October, the sixth Come and See conference will take place writes Father Chris Thomas. Two years ago we were blessed by Daniel O'Leary and Edwina Gateley's presence amongst us and people are still contacting us about the profound effect the conference had on them.

I am sure that this year the conference will be just as exciting and just as profound as we welcome Sister Helen Prejean the nun whose story was told in the film ‘Dead Man Walking’ will be with us. She is a powerful and motivational speaker.

Sister Helen has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on the death penalty in the United States and helping to shape the Catholic Church’s newly vigorous opposition to state executions there. She travels around the world

giving talks about her ministry. She considers herself a southern storyteller.

Among the workshop leaders will be Steve Atherton, John Bell, Christine Dodd, Dermott Donnelly, David and Mary Matthews and Pat Kennedy, so it promises to be a really exciting experience.

There is also a Saturday evening testimonial by Margaret Duncan who has an amazing story to tell. Steve Murray the mime artist and Jo Boyce and Friends, the Birmingham based music and liturgy group will also be with us to lead our time of prayer.

For more information about the conference email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk or Tel: 0151 949 1199.

Most people who have been to Come & See in the past will tell you to 'come and see'.

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Zipping along at 86 Dilys Paes, a parishioner at St Mary’s, Woolton celebrated her eighty-sixth birthday with a ‘Titan Zip Wire’ ride at Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales.

Mother of four, grandmother to thirteen and great grandmother to five, Dilys decided that she wanted to take on a challenge to celebrate her special day. A white knuckle ride on the Titan Zip line in North Wales, the longest Zip Wire in Europe is not for the faint-hearted.

In earlier days Dilys taught at St Vincent’s School for the Blind and St Teresa’s Infant’s School, Norris Green before retiring in 1991, since when she has been involved in several parish groups at St Mary’s including: the Lady’s Group (now UCM), Liturgy Group Leader, Craft Club, Sewing Group and she is the founder of member of St Mary’s Keep Fit Group.

“Something to remember” When Andrew Ware, a parishioner at St Monica’s, Bootle describes his summer trip to Paris as ‘something to remember forever’, he is not exaggerating.

After all, there are not many people who get to cycle down the Champs-Élysées to the Eiffel Tower – and even fewer who reach the French capital by pedal power all the way from London.

The 43-year-old is a director of Hayes and Finch, the Liverpool-based supplier of church furnishings, and he undertook the four-day ride to raise funds for Nugent Care, which is his company’s charity partner for 2015.

He has previously cycled from Liverpool to Chester and abseiled down the Anglican Cathedral but he surpassed those efforts with his 300-mile journey which raised over £1,400 for Nugent Care.

Summing up the adventure, he said: ‘It was 300 really hard miles, with some pretty gruesome hills, some spectacular views, moods both up and down, rain, cold, sun but good company, a brilliant adventure and something to remember forever.’

Andrew set off from Blackheath Common in London on 30 July as one of a group of 72 cyclists, who cycled the 80 miles down to Dover and boarded a cross-Channel ferry for France. Day 1, he admits, was the ‘hardest day, with not being sure of the pace and not knowing anyone, and some of the Kent hills were a real challenge’.

After the relief of reaching Dover, he had to do it all again the next day. ‘It was hard getting back on the bike after the first day with my legs still sore from the day before and knowing there were 80 miles to the 12

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finish line. In fact the first 10 miles each day seemed to take forever and I’d doubt whether I could actually achieve the finish line.’

Day 2 brought another 80-mile ride from Calais to Arras, before on Day 3, Andrew reached Compiegne via a stop at Thiepval, site of the Memorial to the Missing for those who died in the Battle of the Somme. If his legs were ‘beginning to ache’ by that stage, he could be forgiven having ridden 240 miles in three days.

There was still one final push needed,

though, on 2 August, with the 60-mile final leg to Paris – but it was worth it for the thrill of finally reaching the ChampsÉlysées. ‘Watching the Tour de France and knowing we were riding the same cobbled street and joining our own peloton to reach the Eiffel Tower was a huge highlight,’ he added. ‘Reaching the Eiffel Tower made all the months of hard training worthwhile. Seeing the finish line after four days of tough cycling was the feeling of achievement I had been looking forward to.’

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note On the 26th Sunday of the year, 27 September, we keep a day of particular thanksgiving for the harvest and for the fruits of human work. Unless we live very close to the farming or fishing community, then we can sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that all our food comes pre-packaged from one of the supermarkets – whereas in reality all of these things which we take so much for granted have to be hard won and worked for, before they end up on our plates.

At every Mass we give thanks for the bread and wine which are ‘fruit of the earth and the work of human hands’ – so in a way this harvest thanksgiving is like an extended refection on the Preparation of the Gifts at Mass. We never take things for granted, but give great thanks for those whose skill, under God, provides us with what we need for our life, health and growth.

On the Isle of Man, as I am sure in many places, there will be harvest festivals today and in the weeks to come. Moreover, week by week parishioners provide the local

Sunday thoughts The Letter of St James is easy to read. But it is challenging. When preparing a Sunday sermon I rarely consider the second reading. These are continuous extracts from the New Testament letters with no direct connection with the theme of the Gospel. I start with the Gospel and then turn to the first reading which is chosen by the compilers of the Lectionary to reinforce the Gospel message. Because James is the second reading, this September I will make an exception.

‘Do not try to combine faith in Christ Jesus, our glorified Lord, with the making of distinctions between classes of people.’ I make distinctions all the time. We all do. I judge those who read a different newspaper, favour a different style of liturgy, shop in a different supermarket. How do I react towards migrants?

James has strong words which might apply to the Living Wage: ‘An answer for the rich: Start crying,

Canon Philip Gillespie

Salvation Army with tins of food, pasta and rice, and other nonperishable goods that can be distributed to those families and individuals who perhaps need a little help in making ends meet in the testing economic climate.

In many of our towns this is now done through the work of ‘The Food Bank’; this too is a very practical way in which we express not only gratitude but also that sense of genuine care and concern for others whom we may never meet but whom we acknowledge as children of the one Father ‘who makes his Sun to shine on us all’.

September is also the month in which we keep the Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, who would say a resounding ‘Amen’ to that last sentiment. So it is also a good time of the year to say ‘thank you’ to all members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) – and pray that others will be encouraged to join in your prayer and work.

Mgr John Devine OBE

weep for the miseries that are coming to you.

Your wealth is all rotting; your clothes are all eaten up by moths …

Labourers mowed your fields, and you cheated them – listen to the wages that you kept back.’

Mark’s Gospel for Sunday 13 September sees Peter making a deliberate act of Faith: ‘You are the Christ.’ But the second reading from the letter of James is characteristically forthright: ‘Faith is like that: if good works do not go with it, it is quite dead.’ Faith alone won’t cut it.

To quote Peter from another context: ‘Then who can be saved?’

Good News can be found in the Gospel acclamation for the same day: ‘I am the way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; no one can come to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6).

Weekly Reflections are on the Archdiocesan website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/reflection 14

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Reasons for living and hoping Over the 30 years that I have been a priest I have met many people who live heroic lives bringing love to others in ways that are extraordinary. I have met people who have forgiven those who have committed heinous crimes. I have watched as people have physically cared for those who live on the margins. I have been privileged to walk with many people whose personal lives are a mess but who live in hope.

It strikes me after all these experiences that all our theological arguments, all our religious ritual, all the questions that we ask, matter little to God. All that matters is love. We can be good Catholics and not have an ounce of love in our hearts for the stranger, the orphan, the asylum-seeker – those who live on the fringes. I wonder what God thinks when looking at what really goes on inside us and not at the religious things we do.

In the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et Spes one of the great lines that the Church fathers give us is that we are to give people reasons for living and hoping.

What word of hope does the Church have to offer the world if it is not unconditional love?

The world is tired of our ideas and theologies and religious practices but will believe love. It will believe life that is given and received.

We have lived in our heads for so long, just as the Scribes and the Pharisees did, that the world no longer listens to us. People vote with their feet as they struggle and search for what brings life abundantly.

I was reading something recently that I found quite challenging. It was this: ‘Until we Christians give evidence that there is life on this side of death, the world does not need to believe our dogmas and giant churches. It doesn’t need our words of hell. It needs our promise of heaven.’

Unless we love, we have no hope to offer the world. The Sadducees and the Pharisees loved their theological arguments. They loved to be seen to keep the rules and regulations and that is why Jesus teaches them about the greatest commandment of all. Love.

Love one another and you will begin to understand the ways of God. Do not let it be all about being right and being moral and keeping the rules. Let it be about love and you will have a genuine experience of the God who is love, and then we might just be able to offer the world reasons for living and hoping.

Fr Chris Thomas

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nugent news Daring to raise funds for Nugent Care Liverpool has some of the most impressive sights to behold and on Saturday 1 August a group of incredibly brave supporters of Nugent Care were able to take them all in, whilst abseiling 303 feet down Liverpool Cathedral.

23 people volunteered to raise as much money as possible for a specific project called ‘Creative Vision’ which is an arts project for people who are visually impaired.

The donations will mean that people are given an outlet for their creativity. It’s just one of the many Nugent Care projects that rely on kind (and in this case daring) people willing to do something to support them.

Fundraisers are a varied and diverse mix of people, both local and from further afield but they all have one thing in common: devoting their time and energy to Nugent Care and its projects. Some choose to bake cakes, others would rather push themselves with a grueling cycle ride such as Andrew Ware from Hayes and Finch who recently tackled the journey from London to Paris over three days.

Recent abseilers included husband and wife team Phil and Liz Jackson, who also works at Nugent Care, Deacon Ken Holding, and Simon McConville and Paul Stanton who did the abseil in memory of their friend on the second anniversary of his death.

Husband and wife team Phil and Liz Jackson

In 134 years of providing services for adults and children, Nugent Care relies on the kind heartedness of people who have used their services but many others simply recognize the contribution made to a variety of communities.

If you want to get involved with fundraising or have any fundraising ideas contact the Nugent Care team on 0151 261 2000 or email fundraising@nugentcare.org

Charities throughout the world do all they can to make life better for people. We hear in the press about the terrible tragedies that charities respond to abroad, and also of the day to day work they do in countries less developed than our own in healthcare, social care and education.

We also know that in this country charities are vital to ensure a better quality of life for so many people that our essential services do not have the financial capacity to reach out to. At Nugent Care we run many services that are funded through social care and statutory funding but we also reach out to people whose lives need enriching in other ways. In particular from the income we fundraise we reach out to Deaf and hearing impaired people, people with visual impairment, people with learning disabilities, people in poverty, children and young people. In addition our fundraising activities can help fund the 'extras' in our residential establishments such as sensory gardens, special equipment, and celebratory outings.

We are always very grateful to those people who fundraise for us.

You read each year in the ‘Catholic Pic’ about the fabulous support we receive from the schools at our Good Shepherd Masses, but we also need fundraisers throughout the year to help us. And, the good thing is, fundraising is fun! You too can abseil down the cathedral, cycle many miles, run marathons, bake cakes, throw a party, or do a range of other exciting things to raise money that will be put to good use for the benefit of people who need the support of Nugent Care.

Karen Roche abseils down the Cathedral

So go on and give it a try: it is rewarding and fun for you, a great help to Nugent Care, and importantly will enrich another person's life too.

Kathleen Pitt Chief Executive - Nugent Care

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what’s on 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

Wednesday 2 September Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Father John Bradley.

Thursday 10 September to Sunday 13 September Heritage Open Days St Matthew, Clubmoor, Liverpool, L13 9DL.

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

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

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

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

Saturday 5 September

National Heritage Open Days St Francis Xavier''s Church, Salisbury street, Liverpool, L3 8DR. 9.00 am to 4.00 pm each day. All welcome to view this beautiful gothic revival church with a wealth of stained glass.

Come and hear the story of the restoration of an 1850s window destroyed by World War II bombs. Details Tel: 0151 298 1911.

Saturday 12 September 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

Adoration and Healing Evening with Benediction Led by Deacon Tony Kerrigan and Anglican Canon Eric Fisher. 7.30 pm at St Oswald’s Church, Warrington, WA1 3LB. Tuesday 15 September ‘Receiving Vatican II.’ A series of talks reflecting on 50 years of receiving Vatican II. ‘Nostra aetate: 50 years on.’

The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, Archbishop of Liverpool. 7.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Admission free – retiring collection.

Wednesday 16 September Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Canon Tom Neylon.

Thursday 17 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 North Merseyside Newman Circle Reflection ‘Catholic Education.’ Speaker: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. 7.30 pm at St Helen's Parish Centre, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 7TQ. (7.00 pm Mass in St Helen's Church.)

Saturday 19 September Quiet Day 10.00 am at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. Time to be quiet, reflect and pray. Offering £10 per person.

For further details contact: Sister Winnie Morley.

Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com

Sunday 20 September

Sunday 13 September Racial Justice Day. Summer Saturday Organ Recital 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Organist: Peter Morrison(St Mary’s Church, Chorley) Admission free; retiring collection to defray expenses.

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 Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Father Dominic Curran.

UCM Bi-monthly Mass 7.30 pm at St Benet, Copy Lane, Netherton, L30 7PE.

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‘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 and Rev Sheryl Anderson (Chair Liverpool Methodist District) 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.

Liverpool Bach Collective Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 22: ‘Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe’ (‘Jesus took the Twelve aside’) 6.30 pm at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Walton-on-the-Hill, Church Lane/Walton Village, Liverpool, L4 6TJ. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy.

Monday 14 September Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Sunday 20 September Home Mission Sunday Mass of Thanksgiving For the Daughters of St Paul on the Centenary of their Foundation and the 60th anniversary of their Foundation in Great Britain. 4.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Tuesday 22 September ‘Receiving Vatican II.’ A series of talks reflecting on 50 years of receiving Vatican II. ’Catholic imagination: unlocking the arts in worship today.’ Dr Christopher McElroy, Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. 7.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Admission free – retiring collection.

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september Wednesday 23 September Bereavement Team Training Course 1.30 pm at Holy Rosary Parish Centre, Old Roan L10 2LG £10 per person Details: Maureen Knight Tel: 0151 522 1046 Email: m.knight@rcaol.co.uk Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Father Joe Kendall.

Thursday 24 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 Saturday 26 September Teaching Meditation to Children led by Sister Anthony MacDonald.

10.00 am at Sandymount House, 16 Burbo Bank Road, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TH. Sister Anthony is a Sister of Nazareth with many years teaching experience in Scotland, Australia and South Africa. Details Tel: 0151 924 4850. Email: info@sandymountretreats.org.uk www.sandymountretreats.org.uk Choirs of the Cathedral Concert 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk

Sunday 27 September Day of Prayer for Thanksgiving for the Harvest and fruits of human work.

Nugent Care Mass for people with disabilities.

3.00 pm in the Metropolitan cathedral of Christ the King. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP. Tuesday 29 September ‘Receiving Vatican II.’ A series of talks reflecting on 50 years of receiving Vatican II. ‘From Gaudium et Spes to Together for the Common Good.’

Rev Dr Nicholas Sagovsky, Visiting Professor, Liverpool Hope University. 7.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Admission free – retiring collection.

Wednesday 30 September Bereavement Team Training Course 1.30 pm at Holy Rosary Parish Centre, Old Roan L10 2LG £10 per person Details: Maureen Knight Tel: 0151 522 1046 Email: m.knight@rcaol.co.uk Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Father Owen Grant MHM.

Sunday 27 September

Cursillo Ultreya 7.30 pm at St Michael and All Angels Church, Kirkby. Details: www.liverpoolcursillo.co.uk Tel: 07542 642327

Looking ahead:

Rosary Procession in honour of Our Lady 3.00 pm at Christ the King, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L15 6YQ.

October 2015

Tuesday 6 October Jospice Open Day 2.00 pm to 7. 00 pm at St Joseph's Hospice, Thornton, Liverpool, L23 4UE.

Saturday 3 October to Sunday 4 October ‘Come and See’ Conference Christ the King School, Southport, PR8 4EX. Keynote Speaker: Sister Helen Prejean. Workshops leaders include John Bell, Dermott Donnelly and David Matthews. Group of 10 people: £30 for the weekend.

Booking forms and details contact Jenny Tel: 0151 949 1199 Email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Saturday 3 October ‘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 Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of St Teresa of Avila ‘The butterfly takes flight– Teresa of Avila’s fifth dwelling place. The interior castle?’ 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 Mass of Thanksgiving for Father Ignatius Spencer CP 2.00 pm at St Anne and Blessed Dominic, Monastery Road, Sutton, St Helens, WA9 3ZD. Celebrant: Father Tom Neylon.

Sunday 4 October Rosary Sunday.

Day of Prayer for Nugent Care.

55th Annual St. Helens Family Rosary Procession 3.00 pm from the Town Centre to St Mary's Lowe House concluding with Benediction. Led by Bishop John Rawsthorne with Father Tom Gagie

Wednesday 7 October Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher : Father Bob Douglas SMM. Saturday 10 October The Mysteries Of The Rosary – Displayed To celebrate the month of the Rosary there will be a presentation of the mysteries of the Rosary at Christ the King, Queens Drive, Liverpool, L15 6YQ from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. All 20 mysteries will be depicted in a variety of ways with the Rosary being recited at various times. Monies raised for Nugent Care.

Sunday 11 October Cappella Fede Concert: ‘Armada to Armageddon Sounds of Recusant Britain 1588-1688.’ 5.00 pm in the Great Barn, Crosby Hall, Back Lane, Little Crosby, Liverpool, L23 4UA. Tickets £20 (Hotpot Supper £10) Tel: 0151 924 9099 www.chetcentre.co.uk Tuesday 13 October 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 ‘Receiving Vatican II.’ A series of talks reflecting on 50 years of receiving Vatican II. ‘Faith in the public square.’ Monsignor John Devine OBE, former Churches’ Officer for the North West. 7.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Admission free – retiring collection.

Archdiocesan website www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk Catholic Pictorial

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profile

Joshua Dixon and Joseph Champions-Williams Exploring their calling to the priesthood by Patrick Hart ‘Change a life’ was the slogan of a recent poster campaign by the National Office for Vocation, and Liverpool Archdiocese’s vocations director Father James Preston – one of the priests featured in the advertisement – is encouraging this transformational process from his presbytery at St Charles Borromeo.

Father James’s Aigburth residence has become a house of discernment for men considering a vocation, with a day retreat organised each month in addition to the opportunity to gain longer-term exposure to different aspects of the priesthood.

It is from St Charles that Joshua Dixon has just set out to begin his priestly training at the Venerable English College, Rome. The 22-year-old from St Agnes and St Aidan’s, Huyton spent six months there after completing his theology degree at St Benet’s Hall, Oxford.

‘It’s given me an opportunity to see what the life of a priest can be in practice,’ said Joshua, whose work alongside Father James included visiting schools, hospitals and care homes. ‘I really felt at home and a sense of peace – that this is the way the Lord wants me to go. I don’t

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think I would have had that, or could have appreciated what a priest does, without this privileged time and space for prayer and reflection at St Charles.’

It helps too to encounter like-minded individuals. Joseph Champion-Williams, a 20-year-old politics and international relations student at Liverpool Hope University, highlights the ‘real blessing’ of meeting fellow discerners for the priesthood. ‘It’s not the done thing in terms of young lads – you’re very alone in this process, so for me to get in touch with Father James and come along to these monthly vocation meetings is a real network of support and prayer,’ said Joe, who is spending 12 months based at St Charles, not far from his home parish of St Francis of Assisi, Garston.

Joe and Joshua have much in common.

Baptised in the Church of England, Joshua converted to Catholicism as a sixth-former at the Blue Coat School while Joe's faith was rekindled during his own A level years at Calderstones. ‘When my granddad got ill, I went back to church to start praying for him,’ he explained. ‘He told me the true way to happiness was through the Lord.’ Joe subsequently experienced the clerical

call during his first term at university.

"You realise later that the call was always there, but I got my real moment when I was trekking in Nepal – I just remember being so overcome by the beauty of the world and feeling a strong sense of Jesus asking me to be a priest in His Church.’

Joshua, meanwhile, had first ‘thought maybe God wants something more of me’ when he was 18. Now he ‘can't wait’ to begin his training in Rome – ‘not just academically or intellectually but also spiritually and pastorally’. He expanded: ‘For me, the priest is a man for others.

Love must be the heart of it – it's about gently, though sometimes firmly, presenting all the beauty of the Faith with a loving heart.’

For Joe, seminary may loom in autumn 2016 but the present moment is about ‘the totally unique opportunity of real hands-on experience of parish life. I feel truly supported here.’

For more information about the St Charles Borromeo House of Discernment, contact Father James Preston at: frjamespreston@gmail.com

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youth ministry

Lourdes 2015 – in the words of our Liverpool Youth Phil Divine, 21, Liverpool (Coach 1) This year was my last as a yellow shirt on the wonderful Coach 1. Five years on from my first pilgrimage, when I said, ‘I’ll give it a go but probably won’t go again’, it is now central to my year. The joy gained from Lourdes always gives my faith the boost that is normally needed after a year of ‘normal’ life – it’s a week filled with smiles, singing and time for reflection. The Lourdes community is unique, as though you don’t see many of these people for a whole year it’s as though you have never been away when you do meet up again.

Eamonn Sumner, 22, Stockbridge Village (Coach 2) I didn't like the person I was becoming pre-Lourdes, and it is because of this special place that I’m proud of the person I am today.

Because of my visits to Lourdes I have developed traits I now believe to be a necessity: humility, empathy and compassion. This year I had had trouble with my faith but our coach had a catechesis session and subsequently I found myself sharing my feelings among the group and consequently felt a lot better about what was troubling me and for that I

couldn’t be more thankful. There is a lot of cynicism surrounding the magic of Lourdes; in my instance, nowhere else would I have spoken up or been so welcomed by such an amazing collection of people.

Jack Simpson, 18, Upholland (Coach 4) This was my fourth year in Lourdes and my first as an Over-18. The highlight was my first day on Over18s’ duty, waking up at 6am and going to join the pilgrims for breakfast; simple yet special experiences of just spending time and having conversations with some inspirational individuals. Serving and growing in faith together with 450 other young people forms friendships that will last a lifetime. Moreover, this year I have developed social skills I didn’t have before; I have been given a newfound confidence which I will use to bring the joy of mission back to my own parish and youth group.

Charlotte O’Toole, 19, Burscough (Coach 8) Since starting with the Youth service

in 2012 I have learned so much about myself, made so many new friends, created so many memories and my faith has really strengthened … and this year was no different. Serving the sick, elderly and frail really makes you realise what is important, and after a week’s worth of prayer and reflection, you learn not to take things for granted. For me, this year’s highlight was watching some of the younger members of my coach team form a special bond with their sick pilgrims as throughout the week, they got to learn so much about their life stories and what brought them to Lourdes. There were lots of smiles and a few tears, but along with that came the satisfaction of knowing what a difference that we, as youth, were making to their lives.

Paddy Reilly, 21, Liverpool (St Frai) The Saint-Frai (Purple/Plane) team are the step between the Youth and Hospitalité. While still a part of the Youth service, the Saint-Frai team work predominantly in the hospital. With spending the majority of your time directly around the pilgrims in the hospital, faces quickly become names, names become stories and ultimately, pilgrims become friends. You certainly get a sense that you are appreciated, and we appreciate the assisted pilgrims in return.

Dates for the diary 6 September – Youth Alive/Lourdes Reunion Mass, 6.30pm at St. Mary's, Lowe House 17 September – Life & Soul: new Praise and Worship prayer group open to all, 7pm at Life & Soul Cafe at Lowe House.

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justice & peace

What do you think of when you hear the word refugee?

By Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker Refugees were a regular feature in the news during the summer. The images were very striking: the stark contrast between the asylum-seekers and holidaymakers on the Greek islands; the queues of lorries in Kent; the desperate attempts to get into the Channel Tunnel at Calais.

The newspapers and the government are hostile to refugees, sometimes presenting them as though they were a swarm of ants trying to break into the kitchen and make the house uninhabitable. The ants are a threat. The refugees are a threat. The Prime Minister has appeared on TV to assure us that the problem will soon be sorted by increased security and the refugees will be kept out whether by use of troops or by better fences. The Home Secretary has warned that our standard of living is under attack. More refugees means a lower standard of living.

While most newspapers largely share the same outrage as the government, television, on the other hand, sometimes takes a more sympathetic view. Some TV reporters, who have met the refugees, present them as desperate people who are fleeing intolerable situations, or as sad people who are living precariously on the edges of society. Actual contact and conversations with the refugees makes it easier for the reporters to begin to connect with them as fellow human

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beings. The reporters are not actually solving their problems but they have moved from outrage to sympathy and are beginning to break through the distinction between ‘us’ and ‘them’.

Contact makes it much easier to be sympathetic, for once the stories have awoken empathy in us, our perception of the problem changes from the abstract to the personal. Abstract problems can be solved with the brain but personal problems affect our feelings. Personal problems involve our hearts.

The Government appeals to our selfinterest: if our comfort or security is threatened it makes sense to protect ourselves. Why would anyone choose to be less well-off and to have a lower standard of living? Why would anyone choose to share their goods with the poor? Clearly, that attitude is not a Christian response. We are called to love one another, not to ‘pass by on the other side’, and to have a special concern for the poor. This example is clear in the Gospels and in the lives of the saints. It is clear today in the response of many Christian organisations in our country. The Jesuit Refugee Service, Asylum Link

Merseyside, the Catholic Worker and many others are committed to sharing their wealth with the poorest of the poor.

This acknowledgement that the world needs to be reshaped has been a call from the last three Popes. Recently Pope Francis said: ‘The current global situation engenders a feeling of instability and uncertainty, which in turn becomes ‘a seedbed for collective selfishness’. When people become selfcentred and self-enclosed, their greed increases.

The emptier a person’s heart is, the more he or she needs things to buy, own and consume. It becomes almost impossible to accept the limits imposed by reality. In this horizon, a genuine sense of the common good also disappears. As these attitudes become more widespread, social norms are respected only to the extent that they do not clash with personal needs.’

The difficult question that is becoming ever more real is how we should react as a nation to the presence of such gross inequality. How can we be so rich when others are so poor? Is it anything to do with me? What should I do?

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cathedral Preparing for the Year of Mercy Its been a busy summer of preparations for the Holy Year of Mercy in the Cathedral Studio with volunteers producing an altar frontal, lectern hangings, banners and vestments featuring the logo for the Holy Year which begins on Tuesday 8 December 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ’.

Pope Francis announced the ‘extraordinary Jubilee’ during a Penance Service in St Peter’s Basilica last March, with the words:

David Peglar from the Cathedral says, ‘The design is very striking which made it easy for us to work with, and we are happy to make the vestments and hangings available for parishes and groups to order at a reasonable cost.’

‘Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is journey that begins with a spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have decided to call an ‘extraordinary Jubilee’ that is to have the mercy of God at its centre. It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord's words: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”. (cf Luke 6:36)’ The logo for the year which forms the centre piece of the Cathedral artwork was designed by Jesuit priest, Father Marko Rupnik. It shows Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in the words of Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for promoting the New Evangelisation, ‘taking upon his shoulders the lost soul, demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption’.

Commenting on the fact that one of Jesus' eyes is merged with the man's the Archbishop said that this shows that, ‘Christ sees with the eyes of

The motto surrounding the image ‘Merciful like the Father’, serves said, Archbishop Fisichella ‘as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure.’

Any group wishing to place an order or wanting more information, should contact Claire Hanlon at the Metropolitan Cathedral email: c.hanlon@metcathedral.org.uk or Tel: 0151 709 9222 Ext.201.

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean We will be experiencing some Cathedral House rearrangements in the first week of September as Father Stephen Lee (one of the two newly ordained priests this summer) takes up residence and Father Liam Collister moves on to pastures new at St Julie’s, Eccleston.

There are a considerable number of clergy moves this September and I hope all those priests who are taking up new appointments at this time will settle in quickly and find fulfilment in their different ministries.

The Liverpool Heritage Days are from 10-12 September. This year the Cathedral Art Studio will be open to the public from 10.00 am until 3.00 pm on those days. Part of the displays will be designs for the Year of Mercy which can made to order for use in parishes.

The Annual Cathedral Community Mass to mark the beginning of the new term is on Sunday 13 September at 11.00 am. Also that afternoon at 3.00 pm Archbishop Malcolm will preside at the ‘Pause for Hope’ Service to pray for loved ones who have died or are suffering from cancer.

The first three in a series of talks to mark 50 years since the Second Vatican Council will take place in the Gibberd Room on Tuesday evenings at 7.00 pm beginning on Tuesday 15 September with Archbishop Malcolm reflecting on ’50 years on since Nostra Aetate’(relations of the church with non Christian religions).

There will be a Mass to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of the Pauline Order of priests and sisters at 4.00 pm on 20 September and the Mass with people with Disabilities will be on the following Sunday at 3.00 pm. Archbishop Malcolm will preside at both of these celebrations.

The Sixteen will be in concert in the Cathedral on Friday 18 September as part of their annual Cathedral tour series.

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Pic extras

Mums the Word

News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba Ormskirk knights support Vision Aid Overseas appeal

The summer break is over and we look forward to meeting again at our bi-monthly Mass on 9 September at St Benet’s, Netherton. Looking through my diary this month, I noticed that the following day, 10 September, is the feast of Saint Ambrose Barlow.

Saints usually seem distant from us – they either lived long before us or far away from us. St Ambrose Barlow certainly lived before our time, but he walked the same roads and lanes as many of us in our diocese do today.

He was born in 1585 in Barlow Hall, Didsbury. After studying abroad he joined the Benedictines and from 1617 had his base at Morley’s Hall near Leigh. He served the local Catholics for one week each month and during the other three weeks would travel on foot along country lanes through much of what is now our diocese.

He would say Mass in secret chapels in loyal houses, or in barns or outhouses. The local people would know by the presence of a lantern in a particular window or a sheet placed over a certain hedge that ‘Mr Brereton’ (St Ambrose’s alias) had arrived.

Lookouts would be posted, for priests, if caught, were subject to dire penalties. Places we know he regularly visited are Aughton Hall, Moor Hall and Mossock Hall (all in Aughton); Mossborough Hall and Eccleston Hall (northwest of St Helens); Tuebrook House and Croxteth Hall (in Liverpool); and Appleton and Ditton Hall (Widnes).

In Easter 1641 he was arrested and carried to Lancaster where he was tried and barbarously executed. He was a brave and saintly man who kept the Faith alive for us and whom we can remember every time we walk, ride or drive along our own local roads.

Madelaine McDonald, Media Officer

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Ormskirk members of the KSC have had their focus on old pairs of spectacles this summer – for a very good cause.

The knights from Saint Anne’s Church have been collecting used glasses to support an important initiative by Specsavers opticians and Vision Aid Overseas, a charity specialising in providing eye care for people in poverty-stricken countries around the world.

Jim Holland, a longstanding member of Ormskirk council and parishioner at St Anne’s, had the idea of a collection box for fellow parishioners to leave their old pairs of glasses. He explained: ‘If you wear glasses like me, you are bound to have old pairs around the house, so why not put them to good use?’

One box containing dozens of pairs donated by parishioners has already been passed to Specsavers Opticians as part of their Vision Aid Overseas appeal, ‘Giving sight to Africa’. The glasses are recycled and the money raised is used to fund the charity work of Vision Aid Overseas.

Since its inception in 1987, the UKbased charity has helped more than one million people in the developing world.

Our photo shows (left to right) Tony Gill, Mark Condon, Jim Holland, Matthew Wright and Don McGair, who are all KSC members in Ormskirk. For more information on

Vision Aid Overseas visit: http://www.visionaidoverseas.org/recy cle

• Liverpool knights from several councils took part in the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes where they worked with the sick and infirm pilgrims, and they are pictured here (above) with Archbishop Malcolm McMahon.

• The KSC is dedicated to the principles of charity, unity and fraternity with more than 4,000 members in over 300 councils across England, Scotland and Wales.

Ormskirk council was founded in 1923 by Squire Francis Nicholas Blundell. For more information on Ormskirk KSC contact Matthew Wright on 01695 570602 or email mjw0212@hotmail.com.

Websites: www.ksc.org.uk www.kscprov02.weebly.com

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PIC Life Learn from your mistakes – but don’t be burdened by regrets

By Moira Billinge ‘If only I’d known then what I know now’ is a familiar expression which explores the possibility that, with the benefit of hindsight, the outcome of our story might have been different to the eventual reality. It is probably a sentiment that most of us would recognise.

Can anyone look back on their lives and say that, if given the chance, they would not change anything … or that they have not a single regret about how they acted, reacted or in some cases did nothing when they perhaps should have done something? If they can, they are very fortunate.

There is a saying that ‘Anyone who hasn’t made a mistake hasn’t lived’ and while the thought can be a comfort because it provides an excuse of sorts, allowing us to feel slightly less culpable, this adage – depending on the nature of the mistake – may provide only temporary solace.

Though we all send thousands of emails without a problem, many of us will have experienced that sense of total dread at the one, panic-inducing occasion when we hit the wrong key and send an email to the very person or people who should never receive it.

Some internet providers now offer the facility to retrieve the rogue email before it lands on the wrong desks – as long as we realise our error in time. Life being what it is, though, we do not usually recognise our mistake until this window of opportunity has passed and so must steel ourselves to accept that we will just have to face the possible consequences.

There are many aspects of technology

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Catholic Pictorial

Quotes from Our Holy Father Pope Francis Peacemaking calls for courage much more than warfare. It calls for courage to say yes to encounter and no to conflict, yes to dialogue and no to violence.

Praying in difficult situations is like opening the door to the Lord, in order that he might enter.

The Lord knows how to put things back in order.

Worth a visit

that I rail against and although I can barely work out how to use a television remote control, I envy one of its functions – the pause and rewind buttons.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we, as human beings, had this same ability to rewind our lives to an earlier time, so that we could either relive the best bits, the happy times, or – conversely – delete the bad, then edit and fast forward to where we want to be?

But we cannot go back. As the saying goes, ‘What’s done is done and cannot be undone’ and we have to move forward.

We can savour or regret the past, or repent and, by the grace of God, learn whatever lessons we can from our mistakes. But we cannot bring the past back.

The present and the choices that we make today create our future. If we allow ourselves to focus too much on our unhappy experiences, we can be pulled into a cycle where we can only think of our failures rather than how much we have accomplished and we can too easily forget that, in the dark times, Our Blessed Lord reached out to help us, and often extracted us from a difficulty in a way that we could not have envisaged.

To dwell too much on our negative memories has a negative impact on our future and can make us ill. How much better it is to trust in the healing power of Our Blessed Lord – in His forgiveness, understanding and infinite love – rather than drown in the regrets of yesterday.

All we have is the present and, as the well-known song goes: ‘Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus, and tomorrow may never be mine.

Lord help me today, show me the way, one day at a time.’

Visitors to the beautiful Polish city of Krakow should not miss the opportunity to go to the memorial and museum of the Nazi concentration camp complex at AuschwitzBirkenau, writes Lucy Oliver.

From 1942 until the camps were first evacuated by the Nazis, and then liberated by the Allies in 1945, inmates there – the vast majority Jewish – were forced to live and work in appalling conditions, with more than one million subjected to torture and death. Visitors are guided through the two camps’ grounds and buildings, including the wooden shed-like lodgings that prisoners were compelled to build in order to live in appalling conditions. The personal belongings of prisoners, taken from them on arrival, are on display, with piles of reading glasses, shoes, children’s playthings and even human hair speaking of the barely imaginable degradation experienced.

The tour also includes a visit to the gas chambers, built to exterminate hundreds of thousands of Jews – along with Polish and Russian intellectuals, Gypsies, Catholics, homosexuals and other prisoners of the Nazi administration – and provides a stark opportunity to reflect on the lessons of history. Indeed, as we remember the 70th anniversary of the liberation, an eerie silence continues to prevail over the site of atrocities which must never be repeated, or forgotten.

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join in Eating Out

Children’s word search We will celebrate the Feast of The Triumph of the Cross on September 14. Check our clues and see what you can learn from them

THE CROSS

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More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy Father Mullarkey and the young curate were enjoying a chat and a cup of tea in the kitchen. They were talking about an old chap who turned up at Mass every Sunday, rain or shine.

‘He never misses, does he?’ said the YC. ‘No,’ said Fr Mullarkey, ‘and he was coming here long before you arrived.’

‘I’ve tried talking to him a few times,’ added the YC, ‘but he hasn’t got much to say.’

‘Well he's very deaf y’know,’ said the auld fella.

‘So he can't really hear what's going on?’

‘No.’ ‘So why does he come?’

‘He wants people to know whose side he’s on.’

Visit one of our listed restaurants during September and enjoy a relaxing meal Cottage Loaf Telegraph Road, Thurstaston 0151 648 2837 Eton Place Woolton Road, Liverpool 16 0151 738 1368 Deli-Sabrosa Railway Road, Ormskirk 01695 570330 Armadillo Bebington Road, Wirral 0151 645 5878 Cricketers Chapel Street, Ormskirk 01695 571123 Gulshan Aigburth Road, Liverpool 19 0151 427 2273

Cards from the Carmelite Monastery

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

There is a lovely selection of cards at the Carmelite Monastery Shop, Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, Liverpool L25 3NU. 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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“An Outstanding Catholic School” Liverpool Archdiocese

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