Catholic Pic September 2018

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Issue 168 September 2018

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Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress and Pilgrimage

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Parallel Programme Full Details Page 8

Education Special

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contents Issue 168 September 2018

Welcome On Friday this week we welcome delegates to Adoremus, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress as they arrive in Liverpool for three days of celebration over next weekend.

On Friday delegates will attend the Adoremus Symposium Day: Exploring the place of Eucharistic Adoration which will take place at the ACC Liverpool.

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Adoremus National eucharistic Congress and Pilgrimage

Saturday is the Adoremus Congress Day which will reflect on the centrality of the Eucharist and will take place at the Echo Arena with Bishop Robert Barron as the main speaker. Meanwhile, the Adoremus Youth Congress will take place in the ACC Auditorium where Katie Prejean McGrady will speak.

Sunday will see two Pilgrim Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral followed by a Eucharistic Procession at 1.00 pm; the procession is open to all and people will be welcome at the Cathedral.

There is also a ‘Parallel Programme’ of events to support the Congress which will take place at venues throughout the City, including talks, discussions, workshops, prayer opportunities and cultural events. We publish the full programme this month.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Parallel Programme Full Details Page 8

Education Special

Cover: Sodality Chapel at St Francis Xavier, Liverpool

The coming days will be a time of prayer, a time of reflection and a time of grace for us all.

Contents

From the Archbishop’s Desk

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Main Feature Liverpool awaits Adoremus National Eucharistic Congress

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Adoremus Parallel Programme

Liverpool Archdiocese is proud to welcome the National Eucharistic Congress, Adoremus, to our city. To show off our Catholic heritage is encouraging to Christians of all persuasions, and hopefully even to those of other faiths in these secular times.

10 News From around the Archdiocese

Our common human values are deeply rooted in the Body of Christ. The value we give to life from conception to natural death, our search for peace and our care for the poor, are given purpose and energy by the Word that became flesh. Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life’ (John 6:35), and that will be real for the many pilgrims to Liverpool as they are fed with the Blessed Eucharist in the celebrations of Holy Mass and Adoration and the great events in the Echo arena.

35 Profile Father Denis Blackledge SJ A helping hand in an award winning drama

The ‘fringe’ events on the parallel programme are an opportunity to dig deeper into the meaning of the Eucharist. It is in these discussions, exhibitions, parties and performances that the true heart of what it means to be a Catholic Christian will be found.

38 Lourdes Diary Chloe Chester’s reflections

The warm, funny and friendly Catholics of Liverpool will make it very clear that the Eucharist is a place of welcome where the joy and mercy of Jesus is to be found. The Eucharist is an invitation to everyone: ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8). The challenge facing us in the wake of Adoremus will be to find ways to remove the man-made obstacles that block the way to the Lord.

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool Editor Peter Heneghan

Copy deadline October 2018 14 September 2018

Editorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool Archdiocesan Centre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA Tel: 0151 522 1007 Email: catholicpictorial@rcaol.co.uk

Publisher CPMM Suites 3 & 4 Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool L2 5QQ

Advertising Sales team 0151 709 7567 Pictures Cover and Profile Peter Heneghan Main Feature: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

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.

37 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life

40 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 41 Cathedral Record Postcards from Spain 43 Pic Extras Mums the word News from the KSC 44 Pic Life The kindness of strangers leaves a lasting mark 46 Letter from Wonersh Peter Murphy

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Liverpool awaits Adoremus First National Eucharistic Congress in England and Wales since 1908 will take place in the city from 7-9 September

By Simon Hart Thousands of pilgrims from across England and Wales will descend on Liverpool this month when the city hosts the first national Eucharistic Congress for more than 100 years.

The Adoremus National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress will take place over three days from 7-9 September and is expected to draw up to 10,000 people to the ACC Convention Centre on the Liverpool waterfront.

The Kings Dock venue will stage the main events on the first two days – Friday 7th and Saturday 8th – before the Metropolitan Cathedral hosts two special Pilgrim Masses on Sunday 9th.

It was in London in 1908 that the Roman Catholic Church last organised a Congress of this kind in this country. A Eucharistic Congress is a gathering of clergy, religious and laity to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Church, and according to Bishop Robert Barron, the main speaker on day two at the ACC Convention Centre, this represents ‘a great opportunity to revive the faith across the UK’.

The Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, added: ‘Delegates from around the country will be gathering in Liverpool to participate in events in and 4

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the key to the new evangelisation, so if you’re interested in the renewal of the Church across the UK, come join a lot of your fellow Catholics at this great Congress.’

around the city that will focus us on Christ, the bread of life. Through adoration, talks, workshops, keynote speakers, Masses and other activities we will be given the chance to reflect on how our adoration of Christ in the Eucharist nourishes our lives as disciples.

Bishop Barron is founder of ‘Word on Fire’ Catholic Ministries and uses the tools of new media to promote the Catholic faith, as well as working with NBC News in New York as an on-air contributor and analyst. He is also a frequent commentator for the Chicago Tribune, CNN and the Catholic News Agency. Following his address, the themes of the Congress will be explored through drama, testimony and presentations

On Friday 7 September the pilgrims will be welcomed to the city by Archbishop Malcolm together with His Excellency Archbishop Edward Adams, the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain. During the day they will hear presentations on the Eucharist in the life of the Church and how this is seen in various situations including in hospitals and prisons, through social justice and ecumenical relations, and in education and music.

There will later be an evening Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral for those wishing to attend.

Sunday, meanwhile, is the ‘Pilgrimage Day’ of the Congress and there will be two Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral – the first at 9.30 am will be celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm and the second at 11.30 am by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, with Archbishop Malcolm preaching. For the final act of the Congress, there will be an outdoor Eucharistic Procession through the streets surrounding the Cathedral, starting at 1.00 pm, followed by Benediction.

Each of the three days will have its own theme and Friday’s programme at the ACC Convention Centre, running from 10.30 am to 5.45 pm, is titled ‘Adoremus Symposium Day – Exploring the Place of Eucharistic Adoration’.

Alongside the main Adoremus programme there will be a Youth Congress for 1,000 young people in the ACC Arena Auditorium on Saturday 8th, running from 11.30 am to 5.30 pm. The main speaker will be the international educator and author Katie Prejan-McGrady from Louisiana.

Katie has been speaking throughout the United States and Canada since 2007 combining humour and storytelling with teaching theological truth for audiences of all ages.

Saturday will be the ‘Adoremus Congress Day – Reflecting on the centrality of the Eucharist’, and it starts at 10.30 am and concludes at 5.00 pm. Bishop Barron, who will be speaking in both the morning and afternoon sessions, said: ‘I’ve been saying for years that the Eucharist is the key to the renewal of the Church – it’s

The Youth Congress will comprise a

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separate stream of events for those aged 13-15, 16-17 and 18-20 and contributors will include the Rise Theatre group, Jo Boyce and friends, Cafod, Animate, Salesians, One Hope, and Joel’s Bar. Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon will be present for part of the Youth Congress, which will conclude with a time of exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Subsequent evening

activities for young people include the Night Fever event at the Blessed Sacrament Shrine in Liverpool city centre from 7.30-10.30 pm, and a “Thankful Gospel’ Concert in the Echo Arena Auditorium.

In addition to the main events a parallel programme of 27 different events has been organised in churches and other

PILGRIMAGE

venues. These include a commentary and presentation by Liverpool writer Jimmy McGovern following a screening of his BAFTA award-winning drama ‘Broken’. This will take place at St Francis Xavier’s church in Salisbury Street where filming for the series took place.

‘Eucharist, the Bread of Life’ is a ticketonly event taking place at the Parish

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feature

‘ We will be given the chance to reflect on how our adoration of Christ in the Eucharist nourishes our lives as disciples.’

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP

Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas.

Archbishop Malcolm will join an ecumenical discussion also featuring the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, Paul Bayes, and the Methodist District Chair, Dr Sheryl Anderson, and chaired by the journalist Clifford Longley. ‘Food for the Hungry: practical responses to physical hunger’ takes place at the Nugent Kitchen in Epson Street, meanwhile, and features food-related workshops.

Visitors to the Metropolitan Cathedral on any of the three days can explore an exhibition of items from the 1908 6

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Eucharistic Congress which will be on display in the Abraham apse together with an International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles.

• For full information on the Congress, visit: http://www.catholicn ews.org.uk/adoremus2018 • Information on the Parallel Events is at: http://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/adore mus • Information on the Youth Congress is at: http://www.adoremusyouth.co.uk

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Outstanding academic success at ASFA in 2018. It’s 6 X Grade 9’s, 2x Grade 8’s and 2xA* for Kevin

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Adoremus Parallel Programme Events supporting Adoremus in Liverpool City Centre and beyond Adoremus Youth Congress. An event for young people ages 13-20 including the inspirational speaker Katie Prejean McGrady, testimonies, drama, worship, Exposition and activities. ACC Auditorium. Saturday 10.30 am-5.30 pm; opening liturgy 11.30 am.

Adoration, Reconciliation and Masses at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mount Pleasant, L3 5TQ. Friday: Adoration 4.00-6.00 pm; Reconciliation 6.00-7.00 pm; Choral Evening Prayer 6.15 pm with Mass at 7.00 pm. Saturday: Morning Prayer 8:15 am, Mass 8.30 am; Adoration 9.30-10.30 am and 6.00-7.00 pm; Reconciliation 11.00 am-12.00 noon and 3.30-4.30 pm; Mass 6.30 pm (Crypt). Sunday: Cathedral Masses 8.30 am, 10 am in the Crypt. Sunday Pilgrimage Masses (by ticket only) 9.30 am, 11.30 am; procession (open to all) 1.00 pm.

Archive exhibition in the Abraham Apse at the Cathedral. An exhibition of items from the 1908 Eucharistic Congress in London illustrating the history of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Displays include other materials about Adoration from the last century up to our own time. Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 8.00 am-6.00 pm.

International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles. International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles, designed by Servant of God, Carlo Acutis (19912006). Carlo collated all the Church’s confirmed Eucharistic Miracles and put them online. Shortly after completing the project Carlo died of fulminant

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leukaemia. www.miracolieucaristici.org www.carloacutis.com The Exhibition will be split between two venues: Metropolitan Cathedral Gibberd Room Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 8.00 am-6.00 pm. St John the Evangelist Church, 70 Fountains Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool, L4 1QL. Friday: 12.00 noon–8.00 pm. Saturday: 1.00-9.00 pm (with a break for Mass 6.00-7.30 pm) 7.30 pm talk and Vatican film about Carlo Acutis. Sunday: 12.30-8.00 pm.

Guided tour 4.15 pm, 5.30 pm Vatican film. Information about hosting this Exhibition www.ukmiracles.com

Exposition, Mass and refreshments followed by an episode at 1.30 pm with commentary by the writer and discussion. St Francis Xavier Church, Salisbury Street, Liverpool, L3 8DR. Friday and Saturday 11.00 am-3.30 pm. For ages 15+ (mature themes).

Self-guided walking tours of Liverpool. Available to download from www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/adoremus www.facebook.com/adoremus2018

Jesus, we adore You. Youth 2000 will lead an evening of prayer and worship interceding for Adoremus.

Blessed Sacrament Shrine, 4 Dawson Street, Liverpool, L1 1LE. Friday evening from 6.00 pm with Adoration until Saturday afternoon.

An opportunity for silent reflection and prayer with the Carmelites.

Carmelite Monastery, Maryton Grange, Allerton Rd, Liverpool, L18 3NU. Friday and Saturday from 1.00 pm and concluding with Vespers 4.30 pm.

Living Joyfully Adoremus. A rolling programme of workshops, talks and discussion. Come, meet and pray with consecrated religious. Full programme at www.ukvocation.org and Vocations Network North West-UK Facebook. St Patrick’s Church, Park Place, Liverpool, L8 5RA. Friday and Saturday 12.00 noon-7.00 pm.

‘Broken’ TV series: a discussion with writer Jimmy McGovern. A viewing of selected episodes of the BAFTA winning television series about an inner-city priest from the North of England.

Holy Hour with children and families. Family-friendly Holy Hour with the Redemptorist Community.

Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Woolton Road, Liverpool, L16 8NQ. Friday evening 6.00 pm.

Evening sing-along of famous Liverpool songs. Nugent hosts a sing-along of Beatles tunes and popular songs for families, people with disabilities and anyone else. St Anne and St Bernard, Overbury St, Edge Hill, Liverpool, L7 3HJ. Friday evening 7.30-9.30 pm.

Diakonia - Food for the Hungry. practical responses to physical hunger. Coordinated by the Liverpool Order of Deacons this event looks at issues surrounding hunger and food poverty today, with input from Church Action on Poverty and Micah (the two Cathedrals foodbank). Includes panel discussion and the opportunity to

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Adoremus make and deliver food in the city centre to hungry and homeless people. There will also be space for quiet prayer in support of this work. St Vincent de Paul Church, St James Street, Liverpool, L1 5EE. Saturday 12.00 noon-6.00 pm.

Food for the Hungry (2). Practical responses to physical hunger ‘I am the Bread of Life’.

Learn how to make bread from scratch.

Includes food-related workshops while the dough is rising. With the involvement of Feeding Liverpool. Nugent Kitchen, Epsom Street Community Centre, Epsom Way, Liverpool, L5 2QT. Saturday 12.00 noon-6.00 pm.

‘On the altar of the world.’

Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The Northern Dioceses Environmental Network, Together for the Common Good (T4CG) and Pax Christi will explore a sacramental theology of creation ‘on the altar of the world’. Beginning and ending with meditation on the Icon of Reconciliation the day includes an intergenerational panel of women discussing peace-making in families, in our country and globally. Hospitality and family-friendly activities. St Philip Neri Church, 30 Catharine Street, Liverpool, L8 7NL. Saturday 12.00 noon-6.00 pm.

The Eucharist and the Redemptorist Charism. Mass with the Redemptorist Community followed by hospitality and talk, ‘The Eucharist and the Redemptorist Charism.’ Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, Woolton Road, Liverpoo,l L16 8NQ. Saturday 12.00 noon Mass followed by hospitality and talk.

Catechesis and People with Disabilities: hosted by Nugent. Prayer, music, input and workshops looking at practical ways to be an inclusive church community and the spiritual and religious needs of people with disabilities. St Anne and St Bernard, Overbury Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, L7 3HJ. Saturday 10.00 am–12.00 noon followed by refreshments.

Welcoming the stranger: Immigration, asylum seekers and refugees. A look at the history of immigration into the Northwest of England, current issues of migration, asylum and refugees, the Home Office Community Sponsorship Scheme and how churches can be involved. Takes place in an historic Liverpool Irish immigrant parish. St Anthony of Egypt Church, Scotland Road, Liverpool, L5 5BD. Saturday 11.00 am3.00 pm.

Messy Church in a Catholic Context.

Messy Church is an experience of allages creativity, hospitality and celebration. Come and experience how Messy Church evangelises in a Catholic parish around the theme of Eucharist. St Anne and St Bernard, Overbury Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, L7 3HJ. Saturday 1.00-4.00 pm.

Eucharist in the world with Cafod.

Workshop and exhibition showing how the meaning of the Eucharist is brought to life by communities and partners of Cafod across the world. Stories, workshops, films and bread from El Salvador, Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh and Colombia. Sacred Heart Church, West Derby Road and Low Hill, L7 8TN. Saturday Workshops 12.00 noon, 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.

Becoming A Eucharistic Community: The Joys and the Struggles. Join parishioners of the inner-city parish St Michael and Sacred Heart to share how your parish strives to be a Eucharistic Community. Presentations, discussion, art, activities, conversation and free cake.

Feedback gathered in preparation for Synod 2020 in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. St Michael’s Church, Horne Street, Liverpool, L6 5EH. Saturday 2.00-7.00 pm.

Eucharist, the Bread of Life. An ecumenical conversation and facilitated discussion about Jesus’s saying ‘I am the bread of life’ with the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool the Right Rev Paul Bayes, Archbishop of Liverpool the Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP and Rev Dr Sheryl M Anderson, the Methodist District Chair.

Facilitated by the journalist Clifford Longley with an opportunity for audience questions. Tickets required. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eucharist-thebread-of-life-an-ecumenicalconversation-tickets-46709814312. Our Lady and St Nicholas, Liverpool Parish Church, Old Churchyard, Chapel Street, Liverpool, L2 8TZ. Saturday 5.15-6.15 pm.

Nightfever. An evening event of open churches with a special atmosphere of music and prayer. This event is geared towards young people but open to all to come in, light a candle, stay to sing, pray and leave as they wish. Confessions available and hospitality for those who want to stay and meet others. Blessed Sacrament Shrine, 4 Dawson Street, Liverpool, L1 1LE. Saturday evening 7.30-10.30 pm.

Thankful Gospel Concert – Echo Arena Auditorium. Frank Cottrell-Boyce and the Soul Sanctuary gospel choir will present an evening of music and spoken word sharing the joy and power of the good news in the soulful groove of contemporary gospel music. Tickets Echo Arena Box Office £10. Limited free tickets for those attending Adoremus Youth Congress. Echo Arena Auditorium.

Saturday 8.00 pm. Facebook Home Mission England and Wales www.facebook.com/groups/19318648268 43345/ A concert of classical music written by Jesuits and composers with ‘Jesuit connections’. The Ellen Ensemble is a chamber orchestra of professional and semi-professional musicians. Donations accepted at the door towards the Jesuit Refugee Service. St Francis Xavier Church, Salisbury Street, Liverpool, L3 8DR. Sunday evening 7.00 pm.

Hosted by Pauline Books and Media, 82 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HR. The Story of the Scriptures. A dynamic presentation of the story of the Bible from Genesis up to the Apostles taking the Good News to the world. Saturday 12.00 noon-1.00 pm.

The Scriptures in the Mass. A workshop to help unlock some of the scriptural secrets of the Mass.

Saturday 1.15-2.15 pm.

Lectio Divina. Join members of the Manquehue Movement (Chile) resident at Downside School who have introduced the monastic practice of lectio divina to groups of young people. Saturday 3.00-3.45 pm.

Hear Mark read aloud! Listen to the Gospel of Mark from beginning to end.

Pauline Books and Media, 82 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HR. Saturday 4.15-5.45 pm.

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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

Celebrating God's Word in fun, inspiring, and informative ways The Northern Scripture Festival takes place in Salford on 6 October, having previously been held in York on 12 May. The Festival is rooted in the Catholic Christian tradition but is open to all. The aim is to help Christians to know more about the Bible, and to encounter God's Word in new and dynamic ways. Through talks, workshops, exhibitions, and worship, it is hoped that festival-goers may see the Holy Scriptures in a new light.

Keynote talks will be given by Keiran O’Mahoney OSA who coordinates biblical studies for the Archdiocese of Dublin and travels extensively giving talks and leading courses in different aspects of the Bible, and Dr Dominika Kurek-Chomycz, Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies at Liverpool Hope University who will speak about Women and leadership in the New Testament.

Workshops will be provided by Bishop John Arnold, Steve Atherton, Christine Dodd, Chris Thomas and Michael Winstanley.

Booking details can be found at: www.scripturefestival.org. In preparation for the Festival, why not enter the poetry competition?

Members of every parish in the North-West of England, who are over 16 years of age, are invited to submit poems on the theme of ‘Joy: the Surprise of the Gospel’. Parishioners are encouraged

to approach the theme in a creative and original way.

The rules are: 1. The poems may be of any style but must not exceed 20 lines, should be in English and must not have been published previously. They must not be translations of another author’s work.

2. Each entrant may submit up to three separate poems and each must be submitted in the author’s real name on the official entry-form available on the website. Each submission must be typed on A4, 1.5 spaced and single-side but should not contain the author’s name, as each poem will be judged anonymously. The best three will be awarded prizes in the following amounts: 1st prize of £25, 2nd prize of £15 and 3rd prize of £10. The judges are well experienced in poetry.

3. Please send entries to Mike Russell, 62 Lea View, Royton, Oldham OL2 5HG. 4. A selection of the submitted poems will be displayed around Salford Cathedral during the Northern Scripture Festival and the three winners will be read during the day.

Closing date for the competition is Thursday 20 September 2018

Sharing together binds us together A group of pupils from St Paschal Baylon School, Childwall, who formed a prayer group called ‘RE-Action’ led by the Chair of Governors, Kathleen Nolan and Respecting Rights Governor, Colette Kelly, have helped families in need during the Summer holidays.

After asking the parish Food Bank organiser to come and speak to them, they decided to ask the parents of all the children in the school to bring donations for the local Food Bank, just before the school broke up for Summer. They then decided that as the parish has three schools that they would write to the Head Teachers of Christ the King and Our Lady of Good Help schools and ask if they would do a similar collection, both schools were delighted to take part.

The response from the three school communities was fantastic. Nicola

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Hawkes, Co-ordinator of the South Liverpool Food Bank, said, ‘unfortunately during the summer break many children would go hungry if it was not for the assistance from Food Banks. The

contributions from the three schools has been amazing and has helped many families, we can’t thank them enough, with a special thanks to RE-Action for their “action”’.

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The Place2Be

‘Jesus Christ is uniting our community of HeartStone in its Vision and Mission so that all might find a place of welcome, prayer and loving outreach when in need.’

This is the mission statement of HeartStone parish in Ainsdale where Colin from the Caritas in Nugent team has been based for several months.

July saw the launch of ‘The Place2Be’.

Nugent, the St Vincent de Paul Society and parishioners have started a free weekly drop-in for Woodvale residents with soup and crusty bread for lunch and refreshments available.

They plan to have speakers from various services and groups.

‘The Place2Be’ will be a weekly dropin, with the aim of providing outreach to people who feel lonely or isolated or those who want to be part of a community.

The project is also providing an opportunity for Sue Nuttall, a resident at Nugent’s Margaret Roper House in

Ainsdale. Since getting involved earlier in the year, Sue is now part of the committee. She said ‘I help gather people together and provide afternoon tea and make cakes. It’s given me the chance to use my own influence and make connections with different people from the church and the area.’

Getting involved in ‘The Place2Be’ is giving Sue a chance to find her independence and with the support of the staff at Margaret Roper House she has become an Ambassador for other residents.

‘I like to help people, if I can fix or do something to make their life better I will. I want to help other residents to get out more and help improve things.’

For more information about the ‘The Place2Be’, contact Colin Pryor, Caritas in Nugent team at colin.pryor@nugentcare.org

Board of Religious Studies – Catholic Certificate of Religious Studies Make yourself indispensable with CCRS. The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is important and relevant for all.

Our community whether within the school, the parish or at home, has a privileged opportunity and responsibility to help all concerned to grow in their faith.

The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is designed for people who are engaged in the communication of their Catholic Faith, whether directly or indirectly. It is open to teachers, catechists, people involved in liturgical work, and other interested adults. It can provide general theological knowledge and offer a better understanding of the Catholic faith and provides the means to accurately and effectively communicate the principles of Catholic teaching.

More details about what is offered by the Archdiocese of Liverpool please visit www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/CCRS or email Mrs Louise Falshaw l.falshaw@rcaol.co.uk Tel: 0151 522 1050

CAFOD shop celebrates double milestone

The only CAFOD charity shop in the country, located in Waterloo, has marked its 25th birthday by announcing an impressive fundraising total of £750,000.

The shop, run by a team of almost 25 volunteers, received a visit from the charity’s director Chris Bain and other representatives wishing to thank them for their efforts – and received in return a fresh donation in the form of a cheque for £10,000.

The money raised by the north Liverpool shop, which relies solely on the commitment of volunteers, has helped numerous Cafod projects over the past quarter-century. The shop’s director, Geoff Farrell, said: ‘Some members felt that opening the shop was too much of a risk as any financial loss would be borne by individual members. Despite initial difficulties, this local initiative became a reality and the shop opened in June 1993.

By the end of the first year, with the help of fifteen volunteers, we paid in our first cheque of £22,500. Since then, we’ve paid £750,000 in thanks to the commitment of local Liverpool people.’

Cafod’s representative in Waterloo, Ged Edwards, added: ‘The local people have given it fantastic support and the shop has been an important feature in the local community, providing much-needed materials in a friendly environment. This is an amazing example of a local initiative making a difference not just locally but across the world.”

Wendy Francis-Rowe, manager of the shop, is looking for more volunteers to join the team and anybody interested should call her on 0151 286 4003.

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Celebrating 150 years of Notre Dame in Birkdale

By Sr Susan Mary Summer 2018 brought a special anniversary for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as they celebrated 150 years of residence in Birkdale, Southport.

It was on 31 July that the sisters celebrated the anniversary with a Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, together with the Mill Hill Fathers, who are chaplains to the convent, and Father Atli Jonsson, the parish priest. Many sisters who had once lived in Birkdale travelled from near and far to join in the celebration.

The date remembered – 31 July 1868 – holds significance not only in Birkdale’s history but as a milestone in the development of Notre Dame, as the order’s work and influence in the north of England grew from the 1850s onwards.

Notre Dame Catholic College in Liverpool (formerly Everton Valley) celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019, and other schools and convents no longer in existence – in St Helens, Wigan and Blackburn – would also have celebrated 150 years from 2015.

Who did this? It was not the bishops and priests, who had invited the sisters from Belgium to come to these towns to

Notre Dame Sisters from the Birkdale Community

educate the poor, mostly girls; no, it was the sisters themselves who employed architects and builders to build schools and convents, funded by the legacies of the Petre and Towneley families – all of it without today’s rigorous planning laws!

The buildings were austere and functional but imbued with the spirit of St Julie to educate children in good Christian living.

Birkdale was part of this growth, with the sisters teaching in the elementary schools and later opening a day and boarding school. The secondary school flourished until the introduction of the national policy of comprehensive schools in the 1960s led to its closure – much to the regret of

the local community. However, the Notre Dame order continued to be active in education in Southport with sisters teaching and undertaking chaplaincy work at Christ the King School for many years.

With the building of the present convent, completed in 1982, the Notre Dame presence is still strong, evidenced by the sisters’ efforts in many areas of apostolic life, such as in parishes and primary schools, and retreats and social outreach work. We venerate the memory of our pioneer sisters from the 1860s and those who followed them to make Notre Dame, Birkdale a place where we still try to show forth the goodness of God.

Walking in support of Iraq’s Christians Bridget Huddleston and Caroline Hull from the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) have undertaken a series of sponsored walks taking in five cathedrals across the northwest to raise awareness and funds for Christians returning to the Nineveh Plain in Iraq.

Wearing ACN T-shirts and carrying their ‘pilgrim passport’, the pair’s first walk in May took them from Lancaster Cathedral to Salford Cathedral, and included a stop at St Mary’s, Chorley – the first parish in the Archdiocese to welcome them.

Father Paul Seddon was next to meet the ACN duo on 15 June at St Richard’s, Atherton during the second leg from Salford to Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral. All Saints, Golborne and Animate in St Helens also offered hospitality to the pair, who stayed overnight at different parishes en route. Canon Tony O’Brien was then on hand to greet them at the Cathedral.

In July, their walk from Liverpool to Wrexham Cathedral began with a blessing from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon followed by Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral. Lynne and Tony Glynn, parishioners of the Archdiocese, joined them for this walk over the hot weekend of 7-8 July. ‘The heat really slowed us down this time, but we kept going because we know how much the suffering Christian community in Iraq needs our help and support,’ said Bridget, who is schools and events co-ordinator for

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ACN NW. Lynne and Tony had previously walked the Camino de Santiago for ACN in 2016, and Caroline, ACN’s NW manager, said: ‘They were wonderful companions, and their generosity and commitment definitely put an extra spring in my step.’

The final leg of the ACN cathedrals walk will take place in September, between Wrexham and Shrewsbury. To sponsor Bridget and Caroline, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walks4iraq or contact ACN’s northwest office: Tel. 01524 388739; email nw.office@acnuk.org; or via ACN NW, Office 7-4-4 Cameron House, White Cross, Quarry Road, Lancaster LA1 4XQ.

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education special In August, the Catholic Pictorial was once again delighted to share in yet more success for schools and colleges across the Liverpool Archdiocese as students received their all-important GCSE and A-level results.

by Lawrence Saunders

All round A-level success for All Saints All Saints Sixth Form College celebrated an outstanding A-level results day with over 98% of students gaining entry into their first choice university in a wide range of subjects including Law, Sociology, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science and Nursing.

The average grade across vocational qualifications at the Sixth Form College, which is part of the All Saints Multi Academy Trust, was a Distinction broadly equivalent to an A at A-level.

An impressive 57% of grades awarded were at Distinction*, with 83% at Distinction and above.

Headteacher Dave Lancaster said: “All Saints Sixth Form College is very proud of Year 13 students, who now move onto the next, exciting, stage of their lives.

“We wish them every success and will miss them!”

Gracillia, who achieved a Distinction in Art and a Distinction* in Business, put herself in a great position to fulfill her dream of studying Multimedia and Fashion Journalism at Salford University.

Best friends Kyran and George - the so called ‘PE dream team’, excelled with Distinction stars in Business, double distinctions in Digital Media, and

Happy All Saints Sixth Form College students Distinction stars in Sports Science.

Meanwhile, despite only moving to the UK late into Year 12, and to All Saints in Year 13, Abdelmoneim achieved a double Distinction* in ICT, and a Merit in Business Studies.

Abdelmoneim, who will read Computer Science at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), said: “I never thought this would be possible in such a short space of time in this country. I am going

to university – it’s life changing for me.”

It’s not just the success of those heading off to university which is being celebrated, but also pupils going into full-time employment and high level apprenticeship schemes.

A number of students have secured apprenticeships with Barclays, with one undertaking a degree apprenticeship with well-established law firm Addleshaw Goddard.

Students reach for the stars at Bellerive FCJ Catholic College Bellerive FCJ Catholic College marked another year of outstanding academic achievement with the number of students gaining top A-level grades dramatically improving.

Bellerive FCJ Catholic College students delighted with their results

Headteacher Niamh Howlett was “thrilled” with the results which she said was just rewards for their hard work and “a testament to the support of their teachers and parents”.

Notable successes at the Aigburth Drive school included Jade Owens who achieved three A*s in Chemistry, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, and now plans to read Mathematics and Chemistry at the University of Manchester.

Jessica Abulu will go on to study Mathematics at the University of Liverpool after she achieved an A* in Mathematics, and A’s in Further Mathematics and Physics.

Meanwhile, Olivia Pritchard, who was awarded A grades in English Literature and French, and a B in Philosophy and Ethics, is going slightly further afield to study French Literature at the University of Lille.

Director of Sixth Form, Mrs Jo Walker, said: “We are delighted with the improvement in our results this year.

“Through hard work and determination from the students at Bellerive, staff and support staff, we have accomplished the results needed for the students to embark on their new journey at university, studying an apprenticeship or going into the working world.

“We at Bellerive could not be prouder of this cohort.”

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education special Carmel College bucks national trend with stellar A-level results Carmel College in St Helens celebrated an impressive set of A-level results, with no fewer than six students set to continue their studies at the prestigious Oxbridge universities.

The class of 2018 achieved an incredible 98.7% pass rate, with 51% of grades at A*-B and 80% at A*-C. The number of students receiving A*-C grades was up 0.3% on last year bucking the national trend which saw A*-C grades fall overall compared to 2017.

Once again, Carmel’s BTEC courses achieved a 100% pass rate with 88% of grades at Distinction* and Distinction.

Caitlin Corrigan, Katherine Cleary, Hannah Mitchell, Anna Elliot, Natasha Clieve and Anthony Walker are the super six students who will be heading to Oxbridge universities in September.

A further seven students will be studying Medicine or Veterinary Science when the new term begins.

Carmel College Principal Mike Hill said: “We are really pleased with this year’s

Carmel College’s Oxbridge girls outstanding results. The number of our students who have achieved a grade C or above has increased which is really pleasing, particularly compared to the national picture.

“Not only does this show how hard our

students have worked, it also illustrates how our staff continue to be passionate about working with students both in passing on their knowledge and supporting them to achieve their best.”

St. Mary’s Head Girl to continue proud family tradition after A-level success Another set of excellent A-level results at St. Mary’s College in Crosby saw one student take the next step to continuing a proud family tradition.

Head Girl Sophie James achieved four passes including A’s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths, and will now head to Bristol University to read Medicine.

Sophie will be following the footsteps of her two older sisters, who also went to

study Medicine after leaving St. Mary’s, and her mother, who is a consultant in the NHS. Overall, candidates at St. Mary’s recorded a 98% pass rate in the key examinations this year, with more than a third of students achieving three of more A*, A or B grades.

Top of the class was Sam Bennett from Aughton, who bagged a very impressive

St. Mary’s College Head Girl Sophie James who will be following her mother and two sisters into Medicine.

four A* and A passes in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Other straight A students included Georgia Lysaght from Crosby who will study History at Lancaster University, and Lily McGuire from Southport who is planning to read PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) at Exeter University.

Commenting on this years A-level results, St. Mary’s Principal Mike Kennedy, said: “I am delighted with these results which are testament both to the hard work of our pupils, and the support they have received from staff and parents, throughout their time at the school.

“The number of passes at the highest grades is also very pleasing, reinforcing the ‘excellent academic achievement and progress’ assessment we received from the Independent Schools Inspectorate last year.

“All these young people have made a big contribution to life at St. Mary’s over the years and naturally we are very sad to see them go.

“However, as they leave us we know they will be a credit to themselves, their families and the school in whatever they do in the future, and we wish them every success.”

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education special St Edward’s students rise to the challenge St Edward’s College Principal Stephen Morris said students had “risen to the challenge” after the number of pupils achieving top A-level grades increased by 7%.

An overall pass rate of 98.4% was attained by pupils and of the 367 entries, 46.9% were graded at A*-B. Excellent results were attained by a number of the cohort with almost one quarter of all students achieving exclusively A*/A/B grades.

Nearly all subjects this year have reformed A-level courses with the abolition of modular study and all assessment dependent upon examinations at the end of the course.

Principal Morris said it was pleasing to see an increase in the number of students achieving top grades in their subjects, especially during a “difficult and challenging time of examination reform”.

St Edward’s offered its congratulations to all students who gained entry to university courses and wished them well in their next steps “as they become the Catholic leaders of the future”.

Jess Duffy, with her proud family, achieved fantastic grades to read Medicine at Keele

Joy at St John Bosco as all prospective university students secure places St John Bosco Arts College celebrated another successful A-level results day after all of its students who applied to university secured a place of their choice.

All sixth form students are going on to higher education, training or employment including 18-year-old Chloe Tarleton, who is heading to Edge Hill University after achieving three B grades in English Literature, History and Psychology.

Meanwhile twin sisters Olivia and Klaudia Biernacha were jumping for joy after securing double Distinction* grades in both BTEC Sport and BTEC Dance.

Many students will be continuing their education at some of the UK’s leading universities including the University of Liverpool. Lincoln University, Plymouth University and Bangor University.

Headteacher Darren Gidman said: “ The A-level results today are testament to students’ dedication over the past two years, the high quality teaching at St John Bosco and also the outstanding individual support we offer students to reach their potential.

“It’s a rewarding day to see students achieve great results and get the opportunity to follow their dreams, whether that’s through further study and university or into the world of work.

“Many congratulations to our class of 2018.”

The wait is nearly over

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We We’re ’re op open en W We ea are re S Stt C Cuthbert’s uthbert’s

O Open pen Evening Evening Thursday 27 September 2018 from 5.30pm Headteacher’s address 6:00pm & 7:00pm

M Make ake us y your our c choice hoice September 2 2019 019 ffor or o September If you are unable to at tend the Open Evening visits can be arranged at alternative times. To arrange a visit please call the school on 01744 678123 to book an appointment.

T: 017 744 678 123 W: stcuthberts.com

#StCuthBEST #StCuthBEST

/stcuthbertschs @stcuthbertschs

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education special Another year of A-level success for St John Rigby College The St John Rigby College class of 2018 surpassed the accomplishments of previous years’ students with over half of A-level grades achieved being high grades (A*-B or equivalent).

The pass rate for Advanced Level courses was once again above 98%, and for the fourth consecutive year the high grade passes exceeded 50%.

These grades gave further cause for celebration in what has been the most successful period in the school’s history, and provides further evidence of the 2017 Ofsted judgment that St John Rigby College is outstanding in every respect.

Principal Peter McGhee praised the exceptional results of a “group of young people who have worked extremely hard”.

He added: “At St John Rigby College we work tirelessly to ensure our students become the best that they can possibly be.

“This hard work and dedication has culminated in another day of celebration for our students, their families and our staff.”

Overjoyed with her A-level results

All smiles from students from St John Rigby College

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Catherine Gannon, pictured with Head of Music at St Edward’s College Paula Gent

All smiles from Samanta Mata from Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College

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Some of the 38 per cent of St Mary’s College students who achieved three or more A*, A or B grades

All smiles from Lewis Owens from Carmel College

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A happy All Saints Catholic High School student

Carmel College’s student, Tiana Pennington

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A-level gallery

Jumping for joy at St John Rigby College

Head of sixth form at St John Bosco Arts College, Charlotte Murray, poses proudly with her students

Smiles from All Saints Catholic High School students

Happy students from St John Rigby College

James Murray, Peter Lynch (Head of sixth form, Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College) and Lewis Longman

St Edward’s College Matthew Heneghan, pictured with mum and brothers, got excellent results and will be reading Medicine at Liverpool

Top of the class - St. Mary’s College star pupil Sam Bennett

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Happy students at Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College

Broughton Hall High School students Demi Brady, Chloe Roach and Emily Slade Ha

Jhonn Leuffa from The Academy of St Francis of Assisi

All smiles at The Academy of St Nicholas St di

Fantastic five – the quintet of top performers at St. Mary’s College

Smiles all around at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School

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Happy St Edward's College students

Notre Dame Catholic College students with their results

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GCSE gallery

Happy students at The Academy of St Francis of Assisi

Big smiles from these St Edward's College students

St. Mary’s College stundent Ben Dickinson who now has a GCSE A* with distinction

Two happy students at The Academy of St Nicholas

St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School students show off their results

Broughton Hall High School student Jasmine Hinxman celebrates with her mum

Everybody happy at Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College

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education special St John Bosco proclaims record breaking GCSE results

Big smiles on GCSE results day at St John Bosco Arts College

The class of 2018 at St John Bosco Arts College was heralded after receiving record breaking GCSE results.

Many Year 11 students achieved the top grades of 9-7 in English, Mathematics and Science, under the new grading system brought in for most subjects.

The overall pass rate for English and Mathematics was 62.2% at grades 9-4 (A*-C equivalent).

Notable successes included AliceMay Hardacre, who gained nine GCSE qualifications at grades 9-7, including four coveted grade 9s in English, History, RE and Spanish.

Meanwhile, Kaitlyn Bell also secured nine GCSEs at grades 9-

7, with two grade 9s in Mathematics and History.

Many students will now progress into the school’s sixth form or pursue a number of alternative education and work options.

Headteacher Darren Gidman said: “I am very proud of all our students, who have worked extremely hard alongside our staff, as well as the support of parents and carers.

“While there have been major changes to GCSEs, our students have risen to the occasion and performed brilliantly.”

“I congratulate all our students and wish them every success in their next pursuit.”

Six of the best for ASFA pair There were jubilant scenes at The Academy of St Francis of Assisi (ASFA) in Kensington on GCSE results day as two students achieved an incredible six grade 9s each.

Kevin Hilemichel was awarded the new top classification in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Religious Studies and English Literature.

Charlie Huskisson mirrored Kevin’s achievements with 9s in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religious Studies, English Language and History.

Grade 9 is the highest grade attainable under the new scoring system which is set above the old A* .

In addition, special mention goes to Emily Hollinshead, Jhonn Leuffa, Jairus Fukiau, Edvaldo Bandeira and Lukau Mbolokele.

Jhonn achieved a great set of results including a grade 9 in Religious Studies and a grade 8 in English Literature.

Overall, the amount of A*-A or equivalent grades also improved greatly on previous years, with many students making significant progress.

Subjects which showed an outstanding number of high grades include Religious Education, English Literature, Maths, Separate Sciences and Languages.

Many students will be going on to further study at All Saints Sixth Form College, a collaboration between ASFA and The Academy of St Nicholas, while others will be heading into alternative education, training and work options.

Speaking on results day, Tracey Greenough, head of school, said: “Many congratulations to all of our Year 11 students who received their GCSE results today.

“Our mission statement is ‘success for all’ and today’s achievements are testament to the dedication of our students and the high quality of teaching here at the academy.”

Jhonn Leuffa, a student at The Academy of St Francis of Assisi achieved a great set of results including a grade 9 in RE & grade 8 in English Literature!

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education special St Mary’s College student ‘shocked’ by his amazing GCSE results One remarkable St. Mary’s College student who achieved A*-A / 9-7 grades in all 12 of his GCSE subjects said he was “shocked” when he opened his results envelope.

Rahul Sahni’s achievements are all the more remarkable given the fact he has bravely battled leukaemia during his time at the Crosby college.

Rahul commented: “I was quite shocked when I opened my results and saw that I got top grades in all of my subjects. I’m really proud and pleased that all my hard work has paid off.

“I’ve had a great time at St. Mary’s, and I’m looking forward to staying on in the sixth form to study Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics.”

Meanwhile, Ben Dickinson from Southport achieved an A* with distinction (a so-called ‘super grade’) in Further Mathematics as part of his 12 GCSE passes.

Rahul and Ben, along with Alexa Campbell, Ryan Chiu and Christina Woods, were the top quintet of candidates at St. Mary’s this summer, achieving a total of 60 GCSE passes between them - 57 of which at the highest A*-A / 9-7 grades.

Overall, more than a third of all the GCSE passes at St. Mary’s this year were at the highest grades and 91% of grades were at grade 4 or above.

St. Mary’s College Principal Mike Kennedy added: “I am very pleased with these results which reflect the hard work

Top of the class – Rahul Sahni from Bootle who achieved A*-A / 9-7 grades in all 12 of his GCSE subjects at St Mary’s College and commitment of our pupils, and the support they have received from staff and their families, throughout their time at the school.

“The high standards they have achieved are excellent foundations on which to build further academic success, and they can now progress to their choice of A-

level subjects with confidence.

“In the meantime, all our students and their parents should be very proud of what has been achieved in these important examinations, and rightly I am sure they will be celebrating their many successes over the next few days.”

Hard work pays dividends for Bellerive students

Very happy students at Bellerive FCJ Catholic College 28

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It was very much a case of hard work paying off for students at Bellerive FCJ Catholic College with almost one in every four GCSE grades awarded being grade 7 or above.

The Aigburth Drive college was quick to praise many of its pupils who had to cope with difficult circumstances to achieve their grades – including those who studied subjects outside of the school day.

Amongst the many strong performances, a special well done was reserved for Emily, who secured a grade 9 in five subjects including Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Headteacher Niamh Howlett said: “ I am delighted that the hard work and commitment of our students has resulted in these excellent results.

“These results demonstrate the effectiveness of high quality teaching, excellent pastoral support and good parental engagement.

“Our students have risen to the challenge of these new GCSEs, showing great resilience and we look forward to them continuing their studies with us next year.”

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education special Archbishop Beck hails GCSE history makers History was made at Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College this year as the class of 2018 achieved the best results in the school’s history.

An impressive 62% of students attained top grades in English and Mathematics at the Long Lane college which offers GCSEs, BTECs and OCR Nationals as programmes of study for pupils.

Speaking on GCSE results day, headteacher Paul Dickinson, said: “As the examination season for 2018 draws to its final conclusion and we are days away from the beginning of the academic year, we are immensely proud of all that our community of learners have achieved.

“Our students and teachers have shown outstanding resilience and sheer determination in the ever evolving world of education.

“But in any good educational campus in the country what really matters are those things that cannot be graded and we remain a college that has at its heart the young people we educate.”

An Archbishop Beck student is overwhelmed by her results

St Edward's celebrates strong set of GCSE results

Smiles all round at St Edward’s College

St Edward's College celebrated a strong set of GCSE results under the new reformed examinations with over 80% of its 2018 cohort achieving at least five 9-4 grades, including in English and Maths.

Special recognition was reserved for the 13 pupils who attained all 9/8/7 (A*/A) grades in their subjects, while the overall pass rate was an impressive 86%.

Commenting on the results, Principal Stephen Morris, said: “I am delighted to congratulate St Edward's College pupils upon an excellent set of GCSE outcomes under the pressures of the new reformed examinations.

“We look forward to the vast majority of them being able to continue their studies in our Sixth Form here at St Edward’s, many of them on our Honours Programme which offers special preparation for entry to the most selective universities in due course.

“Congratulations to all who have done so well.”

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education special

Students celebrate their GCSE success outside St Cuthbert’s High School

St Cuthbert’s GCSE students triumph after ‘most difficult year’ St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School celebrated an impressive set of GCSE results after what’s been described as “possibly the most difficult year”.

The St Helens school said it was delighted to see so many of its students achieving top grades across a range of subjects given the challenges of the new examinations and the new grading system.

Great strides were made in Languages, Health & Social Care and Science, whilst the number of students entered for and attaining the EBACC suite of qualifications

also increased.

Standout results include Ryan Owen, who, with a fine haul of five grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 7, is going on to study A-level Maths, Chemistry and Further Maths at Carmel College.

Lucy Rickard will be joining Ryan at Carmel College to study A-level Fine Art, English and Media after attaining one grade 9, four grade 8s, two grade 7s and two grade 5s.

Meanwhile, Martyna Wozniak will be attending Winstanley College in September to study A-level Law, History

and English Literature after achieving an impressive set of results which included one grade 9 and three grade 8s.

Headteacher Mrs Twist said: “At St Cuthbert’s we are acutely aware that there are still improvements to be made across the board but today is about celebrating our young people and the fact that regardless of the numerical grading, we are skilling them up and giving them opportunities at colleges and work to live life in all its fullness.”

GSCE results day to savour for art department at The Academy of St Nicholas It was a GCSE results day to remember for the art department at The Academy of St Nicholas as subject leaders celebrated their best results ever.

A hatrick of three 9s and 100% of grades scored 5-9 were the standout stats from the academy’s budding artists.

Other highlights at the Garston school included a 9 in Maths, 8 in English and 7s across the board for Elisha who is now one step closer to her dream of becoming a History teacher.

Meanwhile, the ‘golden couple’ Tom and Ellie passed all their GCSEs, and have already begun their studies at The School of Military which will prepare them for a future in the armed forces.

Last but by no means least, Eleanor, alongside her proud mum, celebrated a collection of 6s en route to sixth form and a planned career in Journalism.

Everybody happy at The Academy of St Nicholas

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Much Woolton Catholic Primary School

With Jesus we love, learn and grow

Open Day Thursday 18 October 2018 1.30-3pm & 4.30-6pm All children and parents interested in joining our thriving school community in September 2019, or before, are warmly welcome to view our school.

A short presentation will be held at the start of both sessions in the school hall.

Mr M White Headteacher Watergate Lane, Liverpool, L25 8QH 0151 428 6114 www.muchwoolton.co.uk

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education special Outstanding achievements across the board at Broughton Hall Students and teachers alike celebrated a collection of exceptional GCSE results at Broughton Hall Catholic High School.

A number of outstanding personal achievements made it a day to remember at the West Derby all-girls’ school.

Many students are already looking forward to September when they will be continuing their studies at Broughton Hall Sixth Form.

Particular students celebrating wonderful attainments included Chante Price who collected an excellent set of results which featured one A*, one 9 and two 8s.

Special praise was also reserved for Caitlin Andrews (two 9s, two 8s, two 7s, two 6s, two 5s), Alex Dunn (one 9, three 8s, two 7s, three 6s, one 5), and Lauren Burke (two 9s, two 8s one 7, three 6s, two 5s).

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Broughton Hall is committed to the catholic education of girls through gospel values.

All smiles from Broughton Hall Catholic High School students

Notre Dame students celebrate GCSE success There were smiles aplenty at Notre Dame Catholic College as Year 11 students received their crucial GCSE results.

Staff at the Great Homer Street college were on hand to greet the class of 2018 and congratulate many of them on impressive grades.

A significant number of pupils will now be heading into Notre Dame Sixth Form where they will join students from other schools and faiths.

In existence for 147 years, Notre Dame has been fully co-educational since 2012 and boasts outstanding facilities including a performance arena, drama studio and dance studio.

Other standout features include a learning resource centre with amenities for enhanced learning support, four science laboratories, five fully equipped computer rooms, a music technology suite and a college chapel.

Notre Dame Catholic College students celebrate their success

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Homecare Service Helping you to maintain your independence The Homecare Service offers high quality personalised care as well as practical domestic support such as cleaning, shopping and help with escorted outings

To find out more, call 0151 330 5678 or visit our website www.ageconcernliverpoolandsefton.org.uk

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profile

Father Denis Blackledge SJ A helping hand in an award-winning portrayal of a priest By Simon Hart ‘When we were filming the final episode, we were in between takes and Jimmy said, “Denis, it’s all about the Eucharist”.’

These are the words of Father Denis Blackledge, recalling a conversation with screenwriter Jimmy McGovern during the making of ‘Broken’, the acclaimed BBC TV series about a priest. It was just one of many conversations that took place between the two given Father Denis’s role as adviser for the drama, which was filmed at Liverpool’s St Francis Xavier Church where he is parish priest – and where McGovern attended Mass as a boy.

This conversation, though, had a particular pertinence for the ‘broken’ aspect. ‘The concentration on the Consecration was Jesus taking, blessing, breaking and giving the bread,’ Father Denis explains. ‘None of us can give self away unless we’ve gone through the broken process as well. And I think the way both Jimmy as writer and Sean as actor made flesh and blood of it was fantastic.’

The Sean in question is the ‘very humble’ Sean Bean, whose preparation for a Bafta-winning turn as Father Michael Kerrigan, the series’ protagonist, began with a visit to

Sunday Mass at SFX, where he sat in the front pew before joining parishioners for tea and coffee afterwards. ‘Before we started I spent a couple of hours with Sean and with Ashley Pearce who was director for four of the six episodes,’ continues Father Denis. ‘I said to them, “This is what it feels like to me having been a priest for forty-odd years – it starts in your guts, goes through your heart, you deal with your own stuff and then you’re hopefully fit to be alongside other people and help them with their stuff”.’

Overall, there were nine days’ filming at SFX and Bean’s performance reduced Father Denis to tears in a final scene where Father Michael’s parishioners spell out their appreciation for their priest. ‘It made me weep with joy at the way he caught this bloke who’d spent himself, who knew his own brokenness.’

The native Lancastrian’s own life as a Jesuit priest had never taken him to Liverpool before his arrival at SFX in spring 2017. ‘I’d worked 12 miles away in the ’70s on retreat work at Loyola Hall,’ says the 75-year-old. ‘But I only moved to Liverpool in the April as we began filming in September so it was just providential I was here.

’I‘ve been a parish priest in Blackpool and Preston and Bournemouth,’ he adds, ‘and I’ve worked as a curate in Edinburgh. When I was in Lancashire from 1988 to 2005 I used to work every week on BBC Radio Lancashire.’ He has also worn the hats of Communications Officer for Lancaster Diocese and Chaplain of the Catholic Stage Guild. ‘I’ve done retreat work, parish work, media work, safeguarding work. I’ve had a wonderful time as a priest and this capped it, being on the other side and helping a real professional – not just Sean but all the others – to do their best and get things right,’ he adds of ‘Broken’. ‘It was a privilege to have six hours of a Catholic priest working in the inner city with current problems. Sean did us proud and given all we’ve been going through the last 20-odd years with all the scandals about priests, this put us in a good light for a change.’

• Jimmy McGovern will be discussing ‘Broken’ with Father Denis at two special screenings at SFX on 7 and 8 September taking place as parallel events to the Eucharistic Congress. The events start at 11.00 am with Exposition, Mass and refreshments followed by an episode and discussion from 1.30pm.

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note Through the month of August we have taken our Sunday Gospel readings from the sixth chapter of Saint John – the discourse of Jesus on the Bread of Life.

To be nourished by the teaching of Jesus (His Word) and the food of Jesus (His Sacrament) is to be ever better prepared to live the life of Christ in our society today. Just as we need food to give us the strength necessary to maintain our daily commitments and duties in favour of our families, friends and indeed our own wellbeing, so it is with the Blessed Eucharist; if we are nourished by Jesus, we draw life from Him and are therefore better able to bear good witness to him.

The ‘food for the journey’ which Jesus gives to his friends and disciples is rightly celebrated, consumed and worshipped by the Church in many ways; first in the Liturgical gathering which is the Mass and then also in the sharing of the gift of the Eucharist with the housebound, those in hospital, those in our prisons and those who for whatever reason are unable to join together with parish

Sunday thoughts The Isle of Man is one of the best places to view the night sky in western Europe.

It was here that ‘RCW 38’ was pictured in the newspapers a few weeks ago.

Not much of a name, but infra-red technology has enabled a detailed photograph to be taken of this star cluster over 5,500 light years away.

Using current space technology such as the Voyager spacecraft, it would take 18,449 years to travel one light year. To travel 5,500 light years to reach this new star cluster would take a staggering 101 million years.

It was only around 500 years ago that somebody first challenged the assumption that the Earth was the centre of the universe and that it was created some six thousand years ago.

There is only one response to the successive discoveries that stretch our understanding of the vastness of the universe: ‘O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy

Canon Philip Gillespie

communities for the Sunday Mass. This precious gift of Jesus, given with ‘love beyond all telling’, is also rightly adored and worshipped in the silence of our churches where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and in the celebration of the Holy Hours – as we have done around our Archdiocese and across the country in preparation for Adoremus 2018 which is being held this month.

In the novel ‘Brideshead Revisited’, Evelyn Waugh draws his tale to an end by presenting us the scene of a small red sanctuary light burning before the tabernacle in the chapel at Brideshead; it has been witness to all the ups and downs of the family traumas and tragedies, and of the war which wages around it, yet it recalls an ancient faith and the constancy of Christ’s presence.

This very real presence is awaiting, calling and welcoming all who come to spend time in the midst of the busy-ness and complexity of our daily lives: ‘O let us prize this Blessed food and trust our heavenly guide.’

Mgr John Devine OBE

hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the Universe displayed. Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee, How great thou art, How great Thou art!’

This is a modern hymn yet, until the last century, in the days before light pollution, our forebears were more conscious of the night sky than we are.

I can just make out the Plough and Taurus. Yet although the people of the Hebrew Bible lacked the telescopes and technology to capture the vastness of the universe, they still saw it as evidence of the greatness of God. And they marvelled at the powerful Creator God’s loving care for each unique individual.

‘When I see the heavens the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you arranged, what is man that you should keep him in mind, mortal man that you care for him.’ (Psalm 8)

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

Living the Eucharist As we prepare for the Eucharistic Congress I have been reflecting on my experience of the Eucharist. When I used to take young people to Lourdes over 30 years ago now, there was a tent on the Prairie where 24-hour exposition of the Blessed Sacrament took place.

It was the most simple, beautiful place you can imagine. I loved going there and sitting before the Lord in the midst of a busy pilgrimage.

While I was there one day I got a sense that the Lord was speaking to me deeply within.

Inside myself I heard the words ‘Don’t just worship me, follow me’. I remember being profoundly moved by this and all sorts of pictures went through my mind of people that I ministered too. I realised that whenever I gave of myself through loving service I was being Eucharist to others. It has affected my whole life. I have realised that we are to become what we receive, rather than just worship the Lord present in the Eucharist, as wonderful as that can be.

Maybe the invitation we are all being given is to recognise the presence of the risen Lord in our Eucharistic gathering.

We are being encouraged to know that He is there in the people who gather, He is there in the Word that is proclaimed, and He is there too in the food we receive. If we can recognise Him there in elements so ordinary as bread and wine, then maybe we will have the courage to recognise Him everywhere else too.

Saint Augustine said that we who are the body of Christ receive the body of Christ to become the body of Christ. What we have received we are to become so that we can feed the world with this Jesus who brings life.

Eucharist was never meant to be simply about adoration. It is meant to draw us deeply into relationship with Jesus and with others.

Every time we break the bread, we identify with every brother and sister who is broken.

Every time we drink from the cup, we identify with everyone who shares themselves with another. If this gift forces us into relationship with our brothers and sisters, then we can’t stand by and let them suffer. We can’t judge the poor and the broken. Eucharist binds us together and draws us into community.

Fr Chris Thomas

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My Lourdes diary hloe Chester was one of 400 young people on July’s Liverpool Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Here she recounts a week to remember.

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Friday 20th After the long-awaited countdown, Lourdes 2018 is finally here. The coach journey was long but fun – 27 hours of watching films, making friends and, well, just a little bit of rest. We arrived in Lourdes at lunchtime and shared our first meal together as a coach.

Next we got our bearings with a tour of Lourdes – splitting up into groups to allow the new faces to mingle with more experienced members and ask any questions. The evening brought our

“

It was extremely special to be part of this time of prayer and peace

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Welcome Mass in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes – a breath-taking church.

Afterwards, we met up with the other coaches for a sing-song, feeling the magical spirit of Lourdes once more.

Saturday 21st This morning, pilgrims from Coaches 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 took part in the Grotto Games, where we’re put into groups with people from other coaches for team-building exercises. Later was the group photo for the whole Archdiocese and then some free time where people could explore the surroundings of the domain, go shopping, or grab an ice cream or drink with friends.

This evening we met up with another of the

coaches – and as it was an Over-18s night, we got to stay out a bit later!

Sunday 22nd This morning brought the Blessing of Hands Mass in Saint Bernadette’s Church. Our Under-18s were tasked with taking the sick and assisted pilgrims down from the SaintFrai, the hospital where they’re based, to the domain. The Over-18s were on duty on the esplanade inside the domain, making sure the way was clear for our pilgrims. This Mass was a personal highlight as the priests blessed the hands of all the volunteers. At 5pm we helped with the Blessed Sacrament Procession in the Underground Basilica, saving the seats down there for the

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Liverpool pilgrims. Our Youth later joined in the Torchlight Procession, followed by night prayer and a discussion of which ways we see Christ in other people.

Monday 23rd Our morning duty was at the Stations of the Cross – some of us pushed pilgrims, some were on water duty and others read at the stations. At 2pm we had a Mass at the Rosary Basilica, followed by the Holy Hour.

This evening, we were back in the domain on duty for the pilgrims’ torchlight procession – it was extremely special to be part of this time of prayer and peace. After taking the pilgrims back to the St Frai, we held our night prayer on the rooftop there, overlooking Lourdes. A perfect spot for reflection.

Tuesday 24th It was an early start with breakfast duties at the St Frai – this involved waking the

pilgrims, serving them their breakfast and cleaning up. Meanwhile, the Under-18s were taking part in Woody’s magical mystery tour of Lourdes! After lunch, we took the pilgrims down to the domain for Mass, after which many of us took them shopping or for an ice-cream. Another high point of the week was the ‘Night of Mercy’ that followed. There was worship including testimonies, praise and singing –and the opportunity to go to Confession or speak to a ‘listener’. In the words of one of my coach-mates, Joe: ‘Nowhere else can you get 500 young people smiling, crying, singing and dancing all at once.’

Wednesday 25th Today the other Liverpool pilgrims had the Grotto Mass, but for our coach it was a long-awaited day off – meaning an outing to the beach. On our return, we had prayer stations and then a coach Mass led by Father Dom. All that remained then was a

night of fancy dress, and it’s fair to say that with a Wizard of Oz, a wedding party and everything in between, Coach 1 didn’t hold back.

Thursday 26th Our final day began with taking the hospital pilgrims down to the Underground Basilica for the Mass of Anointing of the Sick. In the afternoon there was a choice of activities: some took the pilgrims to their farewell Mass followed by a garden party; others wanted to experience the Lourdes baths.

This evening we headed back to the Underground Basilica for a farewell service for the Liverpool Youth. There was praise and singing, reflection and reminiscing – and slideshows featuring pictures from the amazing week we’d all been part of. We then had our final night prayer and each of us individually lit a candle for our own intentions. Then it was time to head out for one last night in Lourdes …

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what’s on Saturday 1 September Summer Saturday Organ Recital. 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Organist: Dylan McCaig (Organ Scholar at St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham and 2nd year student at the Birmingham Conservatoire). Admission free; retiring collection to defray expenses.

Sunday 2 September Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Monthly Redemptorist Youth Ministry 18-40 Mass and Drinks. 6.00 pm Mass at Bishop Eton (arrive 5:50 pm), followed by Childwall Abbey for food and drinks. Details: redemptoristyouth@hotmail.com Wednesday 5 September ‘Songs we Remember.’ Singing and enjoyment for anyone who likes to sing but particularly geared towards those living with dementia and their carers. 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm at St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Hall, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199. Email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Thursday 6 September Classical Guitar Concert by John O’Connell.

1.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Admission free.

Sunday 9 September Education Day. Liverpool Bach Collective. Johann Sebastian Bach Cantata 69a: ‘Lobe den Herren, meine Seele.’ (‘Praise the Lord, my Soul.’) 6.00 pm at the Church of St Mary the Virgin (West Derby Parish Church), The Village, Liverpool, L12 5HW. Singers and Players directed by Philip Duffy. www.liverpoolbach.com Email: liverpoolbach@icloud.com Tuesday 11 September Time Out on Tuesdays. 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. An opportunity for quiet time, away from the daily rush of life. Offering £10 per person (bring your own lunch). For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Saturday 15 September Heritage Open Day. 10.00 am at St Mary’s, Lowe House, St Helens, WA10 2BE, with tours of the church, tower and carillon, together with carillon recitals during the day.

Sunday 16 September Home Mission Day. Cathedral Community Solemn Mass. 11.00 am in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Tuesday 18 September Redemptorist Youth Ministry 18-40 Mass and food. 7.30 pm Mass at Bishop Eton followed by Halfway House.

Wednesday 19 September ‘Songs we Remember.’ Singing and enjoyment for anyone who likes to sing but particularly geared towards those living with dementia and their carers. 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm at St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Hall,

september Archdiocese of Liverpool Marriage and Family Life Department Recovery from Divorce and Separation The next series of meetings begins on Wednesday 19 September 2018. Meetings are in small groups and are free, confidential, informative and affirming. The course if for any person who is going through, or who has gone through, a relationship breakdown.

Topics will cover: facing the effects of what has happened; communication and conflict resolution; letting go; managing other relationships; legal matters and being single and moving forward.

Details of times and venue Contact: Maureen O’Brien Tel: 07967 753371 or Jacqui Selleck Tel: 07793 825815.

Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199. Email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Saturday 22 September Quiet Day. 10.30 am to 4.00 pm at the Cenacle, Tithebarn Grove, Lance Lane, Liverpool L15 6TW. Time to be quiet, reflect and pray. Offering £10 per person (bring your own lunch). No booking required. For further details contact: Sister Winifred. Tel: 0151 722 2271, Email: winniecenacle@mail.com Sunday 23 September Day of Prayer in thanksgiving for the harvest and fruits of human work.

Wednesday 26 September Taizé 18–35. A time of prayer, Scripture reading, singing, silence and discussion for young people 18 -35. 7.30 pm at St Margaret Mary’s Parish House, Pilch Lane, Liverpool, L14 0JG. Details: Father Ian: ipmcparland@gmail.com (the 15 bus stops outside the church/house.)

RCIA Support for the Journey ‘Under the Fig tree’. 7.15 pm at St Robert Bellarmine 52 Orrell Road, Bootle, L20 6DZ. Join the Diocesan Core Team as we further explore new ways of reaching out to those who may be interested in who we are and what we believe.

We will share different experiences of outreach and welcome offered in some of our parish communities. Bookings: Pastoral Formation Department Tel: 0151 522 1040 Email: formation@rcaol.co.uk

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Sunday 30 September KSC Council 9 Annual Charity Walk. 2.00 pm from The Royal Albert Dock gates (opposite The Hilton Hotel) along the waterfront, finishing at Liverpool Cricket Club, with refreshments. All welcome. Over 20 years the walk has raised funds for Zoe's Place, HCPT, Children with Cancer Support Group and last year over £9,000-00 for the Nugent Crisis Fund.

Wednesday 3 October ‘Songs we Remember.’ Singing and enjoyment for anyone who likes to sing but particularly geared towards those living with dementia and their carers. 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm at St Thomas of Canterbury Parish Hall, Great Georges Road, Waterloo, L22 1RD. Details: Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199. Email: jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Website: www.irenaeus.co.uk Friday 5 October and Saturday 6 October The Living Christ Retreat delivered by parishioners of St Wilfrid's Parish, Garston, (Friday 7.30 pm-9.30pm; Saturday 9.45am5.30pm in Holy Trinity School Hall, Banks Road Garston L19 8JY. Details: Sue Faulkner Tel: 07962 040253/0151 427 6518, Email: isue_4@hotmail.com or Stella/Maurus O'Donnell Tel: 0151 427 3386, Email: prospctvale@outlook.com

‘Creative at Christmas’ Workshops with Muir Simpson Week 1: ‘Get it Framed Tuesday 6 November Week 2: ‘Heavenly Angels’ Tuesday 13 November Week 3: ‘Can be Altered’ Tuesday 20 November Week 4: ‘Woolley Wreath’ Tuesday 27 November Week 5: ‘Three Kings’ Tuesday 4 December Week 6: ‘Christmas Wreath’ Tuesday 11 December Muir Simpson is the President of the North West Area of NAFAS (National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies) and has over 25 years’ experience of working with flowers and foliage. The workshops will enable you to make unique and beautiful arrangements.

The workshops begin on Tuesday 6 November 2018 from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Mount Pleasant. The cost for the six workshops is £60 per person (no refunds are available for any missed sessions) and includes parking and refreshments.

Advance booking for the full course is essential and no places area available on the day.

After booking participants will be sent a list of ‘ingredients’ needed for Week 1, and then each week will be given a list for the following week.

Bookings: Email c.hanlon@metcathedral.org.uk Tel: 0151 709 9222, Ext: 201. Cheques payable to ‘Friends of the metropolitan Cathedral’.

website at www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk 40

Thursday 27 September Newman Circle Talk: ‘Christianity and Marxism.’ Speaker: Monsignor Peter Fleetwood. 7.30 pm at St Helen's Parish Centre, Alexandra Road, Crosby, L23 7TQ.

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cathedral

Postcards from Spain Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean

by Neil Sayer Archdiocesan Archivist The Vatican cricket team did quite well recently. On their English tour, the St Peter’s XI won their match against a team representing Stonyhurst College.

Perhaps a continental success in our national game should not be surprising.

Look closely at this postcard view: in the bottom corner, incongruous in the scene of a sun-drenched Spanish plaza, you can see cricket practice nets alongside tennis courts.

In fact the cricket is probably a reminder of home, as the photograph shows the English College in Valladolid, the biggest city in northwest Spain. The college was founded in 1589 to train priests for service in England. Quite a number of the Liverpool Archdiocesan clergy were educated there, including Dr Thomas Holland, who went on to become Bishop of Salford in 1964. The photograph illustrates that team and individual sports were as important in priestly formation as the teaching and discussions of theology that obviously continued in the college precincts.

Among the archives of our archdiocese are several records that demonstrate the English College’s connections with Liverpool and Lancashire. One of our trainee priests obviously had access to

the college archives, as we have a Victorian transcript of the register of alumni, and there you can find inscribed in copperplate handwriting the names of Lancashire martyrs who were educated at Valladolid, including another Thomas Holland, the beatified St Helens-born Jesuit, as well as St John Plessington and Blessed Edward Bamber.

There is also much correspondence both with Archbishop Thomas Whiteside (1894-1921) and with Canon William Walmsley, who was educated at Valladolid and maintained contact with his alma mater when Rector of the seminary at Upholland. The Archbishop seems to have collected postcards that illustrated the life of the English College.

One series of views, published in the early 20th Century, was missing a single image. The Vice-Rector of the English College, Father Joseph Kelly, was pleased to be able to plug the gap.

His postcard is the only one in the series that was actually sent through the post.

Postcards, sent in their millions, were in many ways the emails and texts of their day, a quick and cheap way of passing on simple messages such as this. Will texts and emails offer such stories to future generations?

For this month’s Cathedral Record I would just like to focus on the Eucharistic Congress weekend with reference to the celebrations which will taking place at the Cathedral.

The Congress begins on Friday 7 September at the Convention Centre on the Liverpool Waterfront. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral from 4.00-6.00pm that evening followed by Choral Evening Prayer at 6.15 pm and Mass at 7.00 pm with Bishop Robert Byrne, Auxiliary in Birmingham, as principal celebrant. Then on Saturday morning there will be morning prayer at 8.15 am followed by Mass with Bishop Richard Moth of Arundel and Brighton, as the principal celebrant. Although these are arranged to cater for those taking part in the main Congress events they are open to anyone who wishes to attend.

For the two Main Cathedral Masses on Sunday at 9.30 and 11.00 am attendance at these is by ticket only due to the demand for places.

Archbishop Malcolm will preside at the earlier of the two masses and preach at the later with Cardinal Nichols presiding at the 11.30 am.

There are also two Cathedral parish Masses at 8.30 and 10.00 am as normal which will be celebrated in the Crypt Chapel. Following the 10.00 am mass in the Crypt, there will be a period of Exposition until 12.45 pm. The Public Procession of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at 1.00 pm following the 11.30 am Mass and it is hoped that as many people as possible will take part in this. The top end of Mount Pleasant will be closed to traffic and those who are joining for the procession are asked to assemble in the area between the entrance to the Cathedral Car Park and the University Students Union. The Procession will come through the Cathedral Garden and then turn down Mount Pleasant with the assembled crowds following behind the Blessed Sacrament.

A considerable amount of preparation both nationally and locally has gone into the arrangements for the whole ‘Adoremus’ weekend. I’m sure it will be a significant moment in the life of the church in this country and whether we partake of the main events or sample some of the Parallel Programme there are wonderful opportunities for us all to be involved in some part of the Congress.

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Pic extras

Mums the Word Ladies, this is another call to action on the abortion front. A group of MPs are now campaigning to remove abortion from the criminal law – in other words, the complete decriminalisation of abortion.

Now this may sound very compassionate towards the pregnant mother, but what does it imply? If it is no longer a crime to abort a baby, then this awful procedure could be carried out up to full term, with abortion on demand for any reason, right up to birth.

Please do not think that this is impossible as similar legislation is already on the statute books of two states in Australia, Victoria and Tasmania.

The time for thinking that other people will do something is over. Now is the time for each and every one of us to take action. There are over 600 UCM members in our Archdiocese, so let’s take a united stand and write a few lines or send a short email to our MPs, asking them not to support such a proposal.

After all, they are our representatives and should take note of what we say, particularly if they receive a sizeable number of individual requests on the same subject. This can also apply to anybody else who reads this column; please take action now.

• Father David Potter, the UCM spiritual adviser, gave a thought-provoking and timely homily at our recent bi-monthly Mass at St Bede's, Widnes. He said: ‘We’re seeing in our age an attempt to push Faith and the Church out of their rightful place. The bogus redefining of marriage to include unions between same-sex couples; the lack of respect for religious conscience; the pressure to decriminalise abortion entirely; the insane and surreal ideology of transgenderism. All speak of a society which is losing its moorings and forgetting the Christian rock from which it is hewn.’ And yet, as he added: ‘It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.’ Prayer and action can produce wonders, so over to you, ladies.

• Our next bi-monthly Mass takes place at St Gregory's, Lydiate on Wednesday 12 September at 7.30pm.

Madelaine McDonald Media Officer

News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Southport knights offer a Tombola with a twist

The Knights in Southport put their own spin on the classic tombola game at this year’s Ainsdale Horticultural Show.

Their ‘Prize Every Time’ stall offered participants a reward for every turn on the tombola – be it a bottle of wine or beer, a gift set, fancy goods, a soft drink or bottle of water, or even a packet of crisps.

It meant that the brothers from Council 146 were busy throughout the day of the show, 14 July, and succeeded in raising money towards their charity fund target, as well as promoting the activities of the order. We wish to thank all members who participated on the day along with the parishioners of all the Southport churches who contributed items and who continue to support our efforts to raise funds to help others.

• Council 146’s upcoming events include a bingo evening at St Patrick’s, Southport on Friday 21 September, followed by a spiritual day retreat at St John Stone’s on Saturday 22nd. In October there will be a presentation evening at St John Stone’s on Saturday 13th

(extra special this year as we start our year of celebration for the order’s centenary).

• The Annual Mass at Harkirk Chapel on the Blundell Estate in Little Crosby took place on 29 July attended by members of the Blundell Family, parishioners from St Mary’s, Little Crosby and, from further afield, members of the Knights of St Columba and the Catenians. The Mass was celebrated by Father Dunstan Harrington, parish priest at St Mary’s and our provincial chaplain, and proved an uplifting occasion.

The chapel has a significant place in our region’s Catholic history, as a recusant burial ground, and the annual Mass there usually takes place on the Sunday following the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. For more information, visit: www.stmaryslittlecrosby.org.uk/Hist orical_Pages/Harkirk.htm

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

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PIC Life

Greeting Cards from Carmel

The kindness of strangers leaves a lasting mark

By Moira Billinge Mary and I were awaiting the results of our midwifery finals and our tension levels were measuring epic proportions in the lead-up to results day, so we decided to book a week’s holiday on Skye. Neither of us had ever been to Scotland and the internet, Google, satellite navigation and mobile phones, did not exist in those days – and nor did the bridge connecting the mainland to Skye.

Caution was given a free rein as we set out with absolutely no idea of where we might stay; on our very tight student budgets, bed and breakfast would be the best bet. With my hopeless sense of direction, I happily delegated the route-planning to Mary who assumed the responsibility like a girl guide. Amazingly, we arrived without mishap on Skye and quickly managed to locate a reasonable B&B. The following day, with rucksacks on our backs, we set off to explore the beautiful island.

It was early on a Sunday morning and this being an era when hitch-hiking was an acceptable and safe mode of transport, we got a lift on the back of an open-topped truck to Portree. As we wandered around, we noticed it was pretty deserted. We thought that the townsfolk probably didn’t wake up until later in the day so we weren’t too worried. The town didn’t come to life, however. None of the shops opened and ominous black clouds were hovering above us. We tried to find a B&B but they all had ‘closed’ signs on the front. A passer-by informed us: ‘Everywhere in Skye is closed on Sundays.’

We duly sat on a bench by a war memorial and discussed how we were going to get food and where we could sleep that night. An elderly gentleman approached us and said, ‘I’ve been

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listening to you, girls. You’ve nowhere to stay tonight, have you?’ He confirmed that we would not get accommodation on a Sunday, and then went on to say: ‘I have a house outside Portree and you’re very welcome to come and stay with me.’

These really were different times, and stranger danger wasn’t part of our vocabulary. We could remain hungry and sleep on the bench in the rain, or accept his offer. We chose the latter and he drove us to his home in Achachork where he provided us with a meal. Next morning we awoke to the amazing smell of a cooked breakfast and a packed lunch. At his invitation, we returned that evening and received the same wonderful hospitality. Before we left this lovely, kind man, we tried, as tactfully as we could, to give him some money for our stay but he refused and said: ‘I just wanted to look after you both.’ What a special experience that was.

At the end of our holiday, we journeyed to Edinburgh to discover that we couldn’t get a train home for another nine hours. We must have looked miserable, because a lady approached and asked if we had a problem and then immediately invited us to have a meal with her at her house. After a magnificent dinner she transported us back to the station.

There are some who enter our lives and leave an indelible imprint on our hearts – like those two wonderful people whose kindness I will never forget. And kindness has wings because God can never be outdone in generosity, and honours every loving deed, a hundredfold.

‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me into your house.’ (Matthew 25:35–36)

There is a lovely sellection of greeting cards for all occasions on sale at Maryton Carmel, call to the shop or contact the Sisters at Maryton Grange, Allerton Road, L18 3NU. Telephone the card office on 0151 724 7102 or Email the Sisters at marytoncards@outlook.com

Worth a visit

This month, a visit to the technology and design hub of the Netherlands could inspire you in more ways than one, writes Lucy Oliver.

Eindhoven is home to the Philips Museum, and this informative exhibition about the 127-yearold family business is located a few minutes’ walk from the station in the city centre. Visitors can explore the history of the business and marvel at the developments in technology – in music, communications and health – which have had an incredible impact since the days of the first incandescent lamp.

A short walk away, Sint-Catharinakerk – the Church of St Catherine – might inspire you in other ways. Designed by Pierre Cuypers, this neo-Gothic church replaced a medieval structure destroyed by fire, and its towers (named David and Maria) soar to heights of 73m. Visitors can view the finds from archaeological digs on the site – including jewellery and household items believed to have been buried with the city’s earlier inhabitants – and the church is also home to a beautiful display of art, a collection of icons using natural materials which display scenes from the life of Christ.

There are direct flights to Eindhoven from Manchester airport, or you could fly from Liverpool to Amsterdam then take a train.

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catholic pic away days

Catholic Pic Retreat/ Away Days 2018 A large number of Catholic Pic readers have joined us during this lovely summer, on our visits to various relaxing and beautiful places.

Towards the end of April we enjoyed four days at Minsteracres Retreat Centre in Northumberland run by the Cross and Passion Order and set in beautiful grounds.

Whilst there we visited Lindisfarne (Holy Island), Durham Cathedral and city as well as York.

We were led on this four day Retreat and Break by Father Peter Morgan, parish priest of St Anne & St Bernard Church, Overbury Street, Liverpool.

One beautiful and certainly unforgettable day was spent at Ladywell Shrine in May. Father Peter was with us inspiring us with his spirituality and deep love of God. A day none of us wanted to end.

June saw us on much enjoyed away days to Carnforth and Clitheroe and July took us to Gramere, Ness Gardens and Llandudno.

Catholic Pic Away Days are simply a days break from routine where we visit a pleasant venue and meet up with friendly people.

Our Away Days will continue again from the end of September.

For information on future Catholic Pic Retreat/Brak Days and Away Days please call 0151 733 5492.

Catholic Pictorial

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news diary Letter from Wonersh

By Peter Murphy It is a great joy for me to be asked to take over from Josh Dixon – and Joe Champion-Williams before him – in writing something each month of this seminary year for the Catholic Pic. For this first column, I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you. My name is Peter Murphy, I am 27 and I grew up in St Marie’s Parish, Southport and went to school at St Mary’s College, Crosby.

This month I am going to start my fifth year of formation for the priesthood at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. Before entering the seminary I completed a degree in Business Management at the University of Hertfordshire.

Although my monthly letters will be coming from much closer to home than the offerings of the previous two years – Valladolid and Rome – it is still a reality of seminary life that seminarians can, at times, feel distant from the normal week-to-week life of the parish and the diocese. This, I feel, will especially be the case for me as I return to Wonersh (near Guildford, Surrey) this month. The reason for this is that for almost all of the last seminary year, I was on an extended pastoral placement at St Matthew’s, Clubmoor and St Cecilia’s, Tuebrook. This was a wonderful and grace-filled experience, and I am extremely grateful to Father Conor Stainton-Polland, Deacon Eddie and Deacon Ronnie, and all of the parishioners for their welcome, their example, their prayers, and their support.

Yet while I am aware that I will miss being ‘in the thick of it’ in the parish and in the diocese, I am very excited to be returning to St John’s. It is unusual for a Liverpool seminarian to find himself in formation at Wonersh, but I am very pleased to be able to be formed for the priesthood under the patronage of St John the Evangelist – the beloved disciple of our Lord.

The house is much smaller than the other seminaries – there are only about 28 seminarians and five resident formation staff – but this makes the atmosphere very pleasant.

And although I might not have the Vatican on my doorstep, Wonersh has the bonus of being the best of both worlds. For most of the time we are in the very quiet and beautiful Surrey Hills, but on days off, we are able to get into the centre of London in just under an hour.

I hope that you will enjoy reading about the various things that I will be getting up to over the coming months. I hope too that you will continue to pray for me and for my brother seminarians as we seek to follow the Lord each day of our lives.

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Catholic Pictorial

Why ‘Teams’ spirit took us to Fatima Pat and Tony Banks from St Joseph’s Parish, Penketh flew out to Fatima in July for the XII International Gathering of Équipes Notre-Dame/Teams of Our Lady – a Catholic movement for married couples. Here they describe a memorable stay.

On 16 July, along with three other couples from the northwest, we joined almost 9,000 members of Équipes Notre-Dame in Fatima. That first evening, we gathered by the High Cross and processed into the Basilica of the Holy Trinity for an Opening Ceremony in which the flags of 84 of the 92 countries represented were carried forward to the sanctuary. Some of the loudest cheers were reserved for the flags of Syria and Lebanon.

Each morning, we met in the basilica for prayer and a daily reflection on the Gospel passage of the Prodigal Son. Father Tolentino de Mendonça, from Portugal, spoke each day on a theme taken from part of this story and helped us to meditate on it. Our days continued with talks, inspiring testimonies from Teams members, and mixed Teams meetings.

There was also a daily celebration of the Eucharist and the sanctuary was filled with cardinals, bishops and priests who concelebrated the Masses.

Several hundred priests were also in attendance in the basilica, providing a joyful sign of our international unity. One evening Mass concluded with a Holy Hour and a procession of the Eucharist to the Rosary basilica for an overnight vigil.

Other highlights were the Rosary service and torchlight procession, and the ‘Sit Down’ in the sanctuary and nearby grassy areas – a moment for couples to sit together and reflect on their lives, listening compassionately and intently to one another. This ‘Sit Down’ is a regular monthly ‘endeavour’ for Teams couples.

And finally to ‘Party Night’ which, with its stage and giant screens and booths distributing free food and drinks, had the feel of a mini-pop festival. In this case, the music and dancing were ‘home-grown’ – most memorably, from our Indian and Trinidadian Teams. For us, it was particularly special meeting again the ‘Mixed Team’ we had formed at the last International Gathering in Brasilia six years ago. We still feel like a closely-knit group.

After our closing ceremony, and a spectacular outdoor Mass in the sanctuary, we were sorry to leave Fatima and all our friends in Teams, but we’re already looking forward to celebrating 60 years of Teams in Britain at Westminster Cathedral in November 2019.

• To learn more about Teams, email: NorthernBritain@teams.org.uk

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