Cathpic sept14

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Issue 120 SEPTEMBER 2014

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ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

Lourdes Pilgrimage 2014 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cathedral Deans Abseil

Derby at the Courtyard

Archbishop Malcolm and Bishop Paul

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lourdes for the feast of the apparitions

christmas in lourdes

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for the Feast of The Immaculate Conception Departs 6th December 2014 4 days departing Liverpool Airport 3 nights full board 3* Hotel Lourdes Wine with meals Half day excursion to Bartres Includes baggage for the aircraft £375 per person sharing £425 in single room

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contents Welcome This month our Lourdes Pilgrimage forms the centre piece of the ‘Catholic Pic’. It is right that we should tell the story of that journey and of the work done by so many for our sick pilgrims. The very size of the official Pilgrimage picture is a story in itself; one of selfless dedication, of hard work, of prayer, of moments of silence, and of the hustle and bustle which surrounds such a journey. We give thanks for all involved and for the service they gave and continue to give as we remember them in prayer.

We record also the first official visit of Archbishop Malcolm to Nugent Care establishments, a timely reminder of the valuable work which they do among us. In a month’s time we remember their work especially on Rosary Sunday, a time for prayer and practical help with their special collection.

Hope Street was appropriately the setting for the first meeting of Archbishop Malcolm and the new Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, Paul Bayes. We report on that meeting as they joined together in prayers for peace for the BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ programme. In today’s world a prayer we must all echo.

Joe Prendergast and Mollie Swadkins during the Lourdes Pilgrimage

Contents

From the Archbishop’s Desk Last month, we commemorated the outbreak of the First World War by celebrating a Requiem Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral, and I know that throughout the archdiocese there were many similar occasions. Over the next four years there will be more reflection, prayers and the offering of Holy Mass will commemorate important battles and campaigns. We will remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and pray for them and for future peace.

My own thoughts have turned to a visit I made to the German War Cemetery at Vladslo in Belgium. There is nothing in this place that glorifies the sacrifices made by so many young men, instead there is a pair of sculptures named, ‘The Grieving Parents’, by Käthe Kollwitz, a noted German sculptress. She made the statues in the 1930s as a tribute to her youngest son, Peter, who was killed in October 1914 and is buried nearby. This memorial helps me understand war in a different way.

It enables me to realise that both sides in any war should be united by their suffering which goes beyond the combatants to their families, and even further. It makes me see my prayer for peace must be, more urgently than ever, that Christ the Prince of Peace be present to those parents who grieve the loss of their children, whether Christian, Moslem, Yazidi, or Israeli who are dying in the current conflicts throughout the world.

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Main Feature Lourdes 2014 The joy of conversion

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News From around the Archdiocese

14 Spotlight UNITAPES are back 15 Sunday Reflections Liturgy and Life 16 What’s On Whats happening in the Archdiocese 18 Profile John Griffin EMBRACE Liverpool 19 Animate Youth Ministry Our service in Lourdes 20 Justice and Peace We must take lessons from the past 25 Cathedral Record Cathedral Deans abseil

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP Archbishop of Liverpool

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

Copy deadline October issue 15 September 2014 CPMM Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Catholic Pictorial Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

28 Pic Life God and the restless soul 29 Join In Family Fun More Mullarkey

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Feeling the joy of conversion in Lourdes Michael Meadows led a group of Liverpool Archdiocesan youth pilgrims to Lourdes on Coach 7 from Sefton.

Here he reflects on a memorable week.

WHAT do you look forward to most about the summer? Holidays? A wellearned break from work? Good weather? For over 450 young people from our area, the thing they anticipate most is the opportunity to care for the sick, offer service and grow in faith on the annual Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

On Thursday 24 July after months of preparation meetings, fundraising activities and generally getting to know one another, nine coaches departed from various destinations around Liverpool, all bound for the French Pyrenees. Twenty-four hours on a coach seems pretty daunting to almost all of our young pilgrims at first, but that is soon forgotten. There is a camaraderie and sense of community established on 4

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the journey which set the mood for each ‘coach family’ throughout the week.

I was blessed enough to first visit this holy place as a young person when I was 15 years old and my love for Lourdes has only got stronger over the nine years since. It is a feeling that is typical across the pilgrimage, that once you experience Lourdes it leaves a mark on you that is difficult to comprehend unless you have actually been there.

As Sean Evans, who goes to Lourdes with the Wigan and Leigh coach, explained: ‘Lourdes is a special place – in fact, it's more than that, it's the people you meet, the memories you make. It's a beautiful place where you find yourself and your faith. Seeing so many young people with faith only gives you confidence to pass on yours. It's where I managed to find my faith and I have passed it on since. Lourdes is my favourite place on the planet.’

The theme for this year’s pilgrimage

was ‘the joy of conversion’ and we introduced this to the young people during our preparation meetings.

They were all asked to ponder what it meant and how we could express this during the lead-up to Lourdes, and it elicited a broad range of responses. Ellen Fay from the Sefton coach said: ‘The theme tied in with how Mary asked Bernadette to ‘pray for the conversion of sinners’ and made us think about how our conversion begins when we initially make the decision to come to Lourdes.’

Rosie Whalley, also from the Sefton group, added: ‘We thought about how we are reconciled with God, and how the Lourdes feeling is something we all try to recreate back home in our parishes, with our families and with our friends. The way in which we share our experiences during Lourdes with the new pilgrims and sick pilgrims we work with and back home by encouraging others to experience it, this is a good example of converting each other.’

The young pilgrims engage in a wide range of duties and faith-based activities, and their roles centre around the St Frai Hospital in which the sick pilgrims stay. The Under18s help the sick pilgrims get to

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feature ‘Lourdes is a special place – in fact, it's more than that it's the people you meet, the memories you make’

Mass, take them shopping and entertain them. The Over-18s work in the St Frai itself, their ward shift duties including helping the sick pilgrims get prepared in the mornings and assisting them during meal times.

This relationship with the sick is always a particular highlight for the young volunteers. James Harvey from the Wigan and Leigh coach said: ‘Going to Lourdes is such a special experience.

Seeing how happy the pilgrims are to see you and how much they appreciate your work makes everything worthwhile.’

There was, of course, one notable difference about this year’s pilgrimage – it was the first led by the newly installed Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. The group I was in Lourdes with – Sefton Coach Seven – were certainly looking forward to meeting Archbishop Malcolm and it was one of the things I was anticipating most keenly prior to travelling to Lourdes. Rosie Whalley said: ‘It was great to finally meet Archbishop Malcolm and particularly to listen to his thoughts on the theme for our pilgrimage. We often saw him out

and about as we conducted our duties, so it was great to also spend the week getting to know him too.’

The beginning of the pilgrimage did feature one unfortunate hitch, as our youth pilgrims from the St Frai ward team and Lourdes music group had their flight delayed by 24 hours. The St Frai team were on duty early on the day after their arrival so it was great to see plenty of smiling, if tired, faces.

Throughout our time in Lourdes we took part in a number of different events, services and periods of personal

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feature

‘‘It was a lifeaffirming and lifechanging experience that I would love to repeat’ 6

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reflection. The torchlight procession through the domain is always a particular highlight, and although one of the processions sadly succumbed to a horrendous storm and was called off, we had the pleasure of participating twice.

The entire Liverpool Pilgrimage began walking together in our famous yellow tshirts, starting alongside the Grotto and ending at the foot of the Rosary Basilica. The procession always takes place in the evening and pilgrims from all over the world carry candles and pray the Rosary together. It is a fantastic example of ‘the joy of conversion’ in action, particularly when we contemplate how despite language barriers, different cultures and backgrounds, we are all brought together by faith.

Some of our young pilgrims had the privilege of assisting at the baths, helping sick pilgrims from far and wide as they bathed and prayed for healing.

Oliver Walkden from Wigan explained what a blessing this was for him.

‘Serving in the baths, helping people in a moment of fear and vulnerability is at once overwhelmingly moving and joyful,’ he said. ‘It was a life-affirming and life-changing experience that I would love to repeat.’

There were many memorable services,

such as the Blessed Sacrament Procession and the Anointing of the Sick, as well as other smaller celebrations with our individual coaches. The sense of togetherness shared across the Liverpool Pilgrimage – from the youth to the sick to the Hospitalité members to the Music Group – means you do not want the week to end but, sadly, Lourdes 2014 did have to draw to a close and we finished off in style with a wonderful departure service.

Over the week, the youth pilgrims had been asked to pose for photos beside a large laminated cartoon drawing that each coach had been given of Jesus – dubbed ‘Flat Jesus’ – so we could evidence the times we had seen God at work throughout our stay. During the departure service the photos were shared and brought many smiles and laughter.

The pilgrimage then ended as 450 extremely tired Archdiocesan Youth members embarked on the long drive home, while the St Frai group and Hospitalité members accompanied the sick pilgrims on their flight back to Liverpool.

Lourdes 2014 will stay with everyone for a very long time. It certainly was an occasion where the ‘joy of conversion’ was there for all to see.

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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

Joy of the Lord – a concert with Jo Boyce and Friends

Appearing live, Jo Boyce (from popular Catholic Duo 'Boyce and Stanley') is performing 'Joy of the Lord' at St Margaret Mary's church, Pilch Lane, Huyton, L14 0JG, on Saturday 27 September at 7:00 pm.

The title is inspired by Pope Francis' First Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel). In it Pope Francis encourages the faithful to ‘...embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy’. The hope is that the concert will be an evening of uplifting, faith-filled music that will inspire each of us anew with the joy of the Lord.

Jo frequently appears on the BBC Songs of Praise programme as well as Aled Jones' Sunday morning programme.

Tickets are £6 each (£3 for children under 16) and can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope, along with payment to: David Cotterill, 3 Zander Grove, West Derby, Liverpool L12 0QP (cheques made payable to 'St Matthew's Church'). For further information, contact Dave on 07739 578236 or email david_cotterill@btinternet.com

A prayer for peace on a street called Hope Archbishop Malcolm McMahon met with the Bishop elect of Liverpool, Paul Bayes, on Liverpool’s Hope Street to record a prayer for peace for a special edition of the BBC TV programme ‘Songs of Praise’. The programme to be shown on Sunday 21 September follows new Church initiatives and concludes with the prayer to mark the International Day of Peace.

Archbishop Malcolm said, ‘I had spoken with Bishop Paul on the phone and it was a pleasure to meet him in person.

It is fitting that our meeting should celebrate our commitment to unity and peace and should take place in Hope Street, which for many years has by its very name symbolised those aspirations.’

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news diary

Good Samaritans for the 21st Century ‘Good Samaritans for the 21st Century’ is the theme of a conference for health and social care staff to be held at Heythrop College, London, W8 5HN, on Saturday 1 November. The day is open to doctors, nurses, social care directors, registered managers, practitioners and regulators for all fields along with healthcare Chaplains and interested clergy and religious.

The Keynote speakers will be Father Gerry Arbuckle SM, and Fr James Hanvey SJ. Father Gerry is a Cambridge University graduate in social anthropology and an awardwinning author in applying anthropology to pastoral issues.

A former member of the Independent Panel to oversee the reform of the public health system in New South Wales, Australia, he is a consultant to Catholic healthcare systems in USA, Canada, and Australia, on ways to maintain Catholic values.

Father James Hanvey is Master of Campion Hall, Oxford and a member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. His particular research and teaching interests are in the areas of trinitarian theology, pneumatology, ecclesiology and Catholic social thought as well as Ignatian spirituality.

For further details or to obtain booking information, please contact: Nicholas.Johnson@CBCEW.org.uk

Peter’s Silver Medal

At the Mass which began the Annual Parish Fun Day at St Margaret Mary’s in Liverpool altar server, Peter Ross, was presented with the silver medal of the Guild of St Stephen in recognition of ten years of faithful service.

Peter received his silver medal from the President of the Guild and is pictured alongside Parish Priest, Father Mark Moran.

An objective of the Guild which, was founded in 1904, is ‘to encourage, positively and practically, the highest standards of serving at the Church's liturgy and so contribute to the whole community's participation in a more fruitful worship of God’.

Canon Philip’s Silver Celebration The Catholic Community on the Isle of Man was joined by the Lieutenant Governor of the Island, the President of Tynwald (the Isle of Man Parliament), the Anglican Bishop of Sodor and Man, Robert Paterson and other civic and ecumenical guests to mark the Silver Jubilee of Canon Philip Gillespie at two evening services: a sung Evening Prayer on Monday 21 July and a Concelebrated Mass on Tuesday 22 July.

Family, friends and brother priests travelled across from England to be with Canon Philip over the days of his Jubilee and enjoyed the hospitality and bright sunshine of the Isle of Man. Also present at the celebrations were representatives from each of the parishes and Colleges in which Canon Philip has served over the past 25 years: the Venerable English College in Rome,

the parishes of Holy Family Southport, Sacred Heart and Saint Alban, Warrington, Christ the King and Our Lady in Liverpool, and Saint Cuthbert’s Seminary, Ushaw.

The parishes had a marvellous few days of celebrations including a Family Fun afternoon on the Sunday complete with ice cream, hog-roast and water pistols, to the Liturgies and the Receptions, there was a great sense of togetherness and happiness.

‘I am thankful to all those who have made these past 25 years a

source of immense blessing in my life’ said Canon Philip. ‘On my Ordination prayer card and on the one for my Silver Jubilee it says “Serve the Lord with Gladness”. Amen to that!’

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Obituary of Rev Joseph Michael Merriman SDB From 1967 to 1978 he taught at the Salesian schools at Cowley, Shrigley and Bootle. In 1978 he joined the Community at Shrigley and taught at the Loreto Sixth Form College in Manchester. After five years at Loreto he moved to St Dominic’s parish, Huyton where he worked for seven years.

Salesian Priest, Father Joseph Merriman, who was born in Bootle and during his ministry served at St Dominic’s in Huyton died on 17 June in Farnham at the age of 84.

Fr Joe, as he was affectionately known by both his family and friends, was born in Hawthorne Road, Bootle, on 1 January 1930, the son of Thomas and Josephine, he had two sisters, and a brother who died aged 11.

After a sabbatical year he moved to Battersea where he took on the role of Chaplain at Salesian College, Battersea from 1993 to 1996.

After completing his secondary education at St Edward’s, Liverpool, in summer 1948, he began a two year period of National Service in the RAF. He joined the Salesians completing his novitiate in Burwash where he made his first profession on 8 September 1952 and from there moved to Ingersely where he completed two years of philosophical studies. Four years of practical training at Salesian College, Farnborough, were followed by four years of theological studies at Melchet Court.

He was ordained on 17 March 1962 and after a four month course of pastoral studies in Dublin, he spent the next 18 months teaching in Bolton. Between 1964 and 1967 he was based at Battersea while studying for his BSc and Diploma in Technology.

Open Days at St Francis Xavier From Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September St Francis Xavier's Church in Salisbury Street, Liverpool (next door to Hope University Everton campus) will be open from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm each day as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.

Mass will be celebrated at 12.00 noon on Friday and Saturday with Holy Hour at 11.00 am on Saturday morning; Mass will be celebrated at 10.15 am on Sunday. All are welcome to view the Grade II* listed building.

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He officially retired from school and parish work in 1996, but committed himself to teaching English and Maths to teenagers at the Feltham Young Offenders Institute and was also able to devote more of his time to his interest in justice and peace issues. In retirement he lived first in Battersea and then at St Bosco House, Farnborough.

In the first half of this year his health failed dramatically and he spent several weeks in hospital before being transferred to a hospice in Farnham where he died.

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Derby at the Courtyard There was a Red v Blue Cooking Challenge at Nugent Care’s Courtyard project in Kirkby as Phil Thompson (ex Liverpool) took on Graham Stuart (ex Everton) in a pre premiership cooking challenge. It was a case of flying frying pans as the two endeavoured to serve up the perfect omelette in front of an enthusiastic audience. In the end it was a narrow victory for the red half of the city judged by Darren Wynn, a member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain and a Director of Carringtons Catering Limited.

The Courtyard, officially opened in May this year, is a healthy eating coffee shop which trains vulnerable or excluded young people and adults with learning disabilities. The concept was developed through partnership working and ideas sharing between Nugent Care, Knowsley Working Well and Knowsley Chamber of Commerce. It became apparent that there was a need for healthy eating takeout food provision in the immediate vicinity of Knowsley Business Park and it was also established that there was a need for alternatives to education and employment for young people with

Phil Thompson and Graham Stuart are pictured with Chef Darren Wynn and Marie Reynolds from Nugent Care learning disabilities and other vulnerable young people.

The Courtyard offers: catering industry standard training opportunities to vulnerable and excluded people; employment to vulnerable and excluded people; fresh food prepared daily to healthy eating principles, sourced with a

conscience; flexible business and community space available for use or hire and ordering, collection and delivery services to local businesses.

It is hoped that the Courtyard will become a hub for community, business, health and social care groups with a particular emphasis on social enterprise.

Jospice Cassocks and Classics Concert As part of the 40th anniversary of Jospice, Thornton a celebration concert will be held on Friday 10 October at St Faith’s church, Crosby.

Titled ‘Cassocks and Classics’ it will include Chorister Jack Topping from the Metropolitan Cathedral Choir who shot to fame last year when he sang at the Remembrance Service at the Royal Albert Hall. He will be joined by local soprano Lesley Smith and mezzo soprano Danielle Thomas.

Three voices that will be backed by the choir of St Edmund’s church Waterloo. Compered by Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips it promises to be a wonderful evening of well known songs both light classical and popular, and a finale of flag waving traditional last night of the proms with Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.

The choir are no strangers to performing for Jospice and Director Martin O’Boyle said ‘Following the ‘Songs from the Silver Screen’ concert at the Plaza cinema and Christmas Concert at St George’s Hall, which both sold out to help raise over £13,000 for Jospice for the 40th anniversary appeal. I’m delighted that St Edmund’s choir will be performing at the concert, and I know that the audience will be too’ Pat Murphy from Jospice said, ‘the concert will be of the highest quality. We have three excellent soloists performing for us for which we are eternally gratefully.

The choir have performed to full houses in the past, so we are all looking forward to a great night.’

Tickets for the concert are now on sale from Jospice cost £14 to include interval, drinks.

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Archbishop Malcolm at Nugent Care Archbishop Malcolm spent a day visiting Nugent Care establishments to see the work of the charity.

He is pictured visiting the Liverpool Individualised Community Support Project for adults with learning disabilities living in the community. He also went on to visit St Joseph's Residential Home and James Nugent Court, before meeting with the Volunteer Management Team, and the Housing Support Unit.

Nugent Care’s Chief Executive, Kathleen Pitt, said: ‘It was a pleasure to welcome Archbishop Malcolm so that he could see our work at first hand. I know that his visit meant a great deal to our staff, volunteers and those we care for’.

It was a busy time for everyone at Nugent Care as they also received visits from Bishop Tom Williams and Chair of Trustees, Elisabeth Dodds.

BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow visits Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral BBC One’s Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow will be filming for its 37th series at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral on Thursday, 11 September.

The doors open at 9.30 am and close at 4.30 pm. Entry to the show is free.

Presenter Fiona Bruce says, ‘This will be my seventh year on the Antiques Roadshow and I still feel so lucky to be presenting the programme. Every week is different; a new location and thousands of new visitors. The only

constant is the pleasure of the unexpected - we never know what will turn up, from the most fabulous Faberge to the most humble object with a riveting story.

Some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be present to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

More information can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow

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spotlight

A rich Vatican II resource made available

By Father Kevin T Kelly collection of recordings of more than 800 talks on Vatican II and its implications for everyday life is being made available on-line (free of charge) or in CD format (at cost price).

A

As a result of the Second Vatican Council, adult Christian education for laity and in-service training for clergy and religious became key priorities.

The northern bishops responded to this need in 1975 by establishing the Upholland Northern Institute (UNI) to serve the northern dioceses and Shrewsbury. After the amalgamation of the two northern major seminaries in Ushaw, St Joseph’s College, Upholland was chosen as the hub of this new enterprise to promote Vatican II renewal.

UNI was staffed by specialists in biblical studies, dogmatic, moral and pastoral theology and liturgy.

Between 1975 and 1988 a great variety of talks and residential courses were held. Internationally renowned theologians and biblical scholars were invited to lead many of these courses. Members of the UNI team also went out to parishes and deaneries throughout the North to run weekend (or even whole week) courses for clergy and laity.

UNITAPES began with the recording on cassette tapes of a year-long course of evening talks on ‘Understanding the Faith’ by Fr. Hugh Lavery. These talks regularly attracted an audience in excess of 300 who braved the near arctic conditions of a poorly heated College Chapel. The tapes were on sale the following week and became a very important tool enabling people far and wide to benefit.

UNITAPES soon became a regular feature in all UNI's educational work.

By the time UNI closed in August 1988 more than 800 had been

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recorded. When the Gradwell Library moved from Upholland College to Liverpool Hope University, the entire collection of followed.

With time cassette tapes can deteriorate. To avoid the rich material being lost, over the past year all 800 recordings have been digitised by the Liverpool Hope University IT Department. This has ensured that the material is available to a wider audience.

The committee behind the project believes that the material contained in many of these lectures has great relevance in today's world. It is a valuable tool for promoting growth in understanding the Christian message, the aims of Vatican II and their implications for life today.

Moreover, it is a non-profit-making undertaking.

Hence, the digitised recordings are available on-line free of charge.

People will be able to download them or listen to them at www.unitape.org An attractive catalogue can also be accessed on line and contains instructions for downloading talks individually or as a series on a specific theme. Printed copies of the catalogue can be obtained from The Secretary, Department of Pastoral Formation, LACE, Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AA. In addition to the on-line format, CDs of the various talks

are also available charged £2 incl pp for each printed catalogue and £3 for each CD (or £15 for each series of talks) There will be special charges for overseas orders.

The years 2012-2015 make up the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II. UNITAPES are a very valuable tool for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the faith at this momentous time. They will bring encouragement and hope.

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sunday reflections On a liturgical note Come ye thankful people…

Thankfulness is not a passing moment in a Christian’s life, but needs to be an attitude of our daily living. At this time of the year in many parts of our Archdiocese there will be Harvest Festivals in our churches and schools and we express thanks for and recognise that we should never take for granted the harvest of the earth.

Even if it comes to us pre-packed or tinned, the food that we enjoy has its roots in the earth which is tilled and cared for by human ingenuity and skill – it is quite literally ‘fruit of the earth and the work of human hands’.

So when we keep Harvest Festival, and when we respond to Cafod’s call to a ‘fast day’ on the first Friday in October (3rd), it is not just thanksgiving for the bounty of the earth and the sea, but also gratitude for those who plough the earth and sea to bring home to us these good things. Mindful also of the exploitation both of natural resources and indeed of human labour, we work and pray for justice and for wisdom in our daily choices and our taking care of the earth.

Here on the Isle of Man there is a

Sunday thoughts This year the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross falls on Sunday 14 September. In Peru this feast is one of the most important in the Church's calendar.

When the Spanish invaded Peru in the 16th century they brought Dominican and Franciscan priests with them.

While the Conquistadors, clad in armour and mounted on horses, made short work of conquering the Inca rulers and plundering their gold and silver, the friars set about converting the population to Christianity.

When I lived in the spectacular high Andes I had no difficulty in appreciating how the Incas worshipped the Apus, the gods to be found at the top of every mountain.

The mountains are a constant presence, dominating every aspect of daily life. The missionaries employed basic psychology and put crosses at the top of each mountain. To this day the local population instinctively reveres the mountains but also the crosses which the Spanish

Canon Philip Gillespie

lovely evening hymn which, while sung throughout the year, is particularly suited to this time of Harvest Thanksgiving: We thank Thee, Lord, for sunshine, dew and rain, Broadcast from Heav'n by Thine almighty hand Source of all life, unnumbered as the sandBird, beast, and fish, herb, fruit, and golden grain.

O Bread of Life, Thou in Thy word hast said, Who feeds in faith on Me shall never die!

In mercy hear Thy hungry children's cry, Father, give us this day our daily bread!

Sow in our hearts the seeds of Thy dear love, That we may reap contentment, joy, and peace; Then, when at last our earthly labours cease, Grant us to join Thy harvest home above.

Mgr John Devine OBE

missionaries planted on the summit of each peak. On the feast of the Holy Cross the local population scale the mountains in procession to bring the crosses down to their local church. Each cross is beautifully adorned with flowers and hangings.

They line the sanctuary walls. They are blessed with lashings of holy water. When Mass is over they are returned in procession to the summit of each mountain where they remain until the following year.

Do Andean Catholics venerate the Cross of Christ or are they still, albeit unconsciously, worshiping the Apus?

Shrewd Spanish friars never asked that question. Is the practice not similar to our own celebration of Christmas in the northern hemisphere on the very day that our pagan ancestors celebrated the winter solstice?

Our God is here Several years back I heard the story of a minister who was asked to speak at another church. When she asked what they wanted her to talk about, the people who invited her said: ‘Come and tell us what is saving your life now. What is it that your life is depending on? How do you stay close to that which is so vital to you?’

How many of us could answer those questions? Does our life depend on God? Do we believe that God’s love is constantly reaching out to draw us into intimacy? Are we aware that God is with us, saving us and renewing us now?

The good news is that God is with us and we are called to share that with others. I remember listening to Helen Prejean telling how she told the convicted murderer Patrick Sonnier to look into her eyes when he was being executed. She said to him, ‘I will be the face of Christ for you’. It was a power ful call to me to be the Good News to show in and through my life that our God is here.

We are to love whatever the cost.

Relationship is what will proclaim the Good News.

What does that mean in a practical sense? It means that we have to question our attitudes towards the refugee and the asylum seeker, towards the single mothers and those on benefits, towards those who are gay. It means that we cannot be hard-hear ted towards the little ones in society or towards those who do not fit the norm. To be Christian is to be someone who loves and who proclaims love to ever y person and in ever y situation.

We have to challenge the world’s view by loving those whom the world finds unacceptable.

Let us pray for the courage to let go of what we need to let go of so that we can proclaim the truth that our God is here.

Fr Chris Thomas

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what’s on Wednesday 3 September UCM Bi-monthly Mass 7.30 pm at St Clare, Arundel Avenue, Liverpool, L17 2AU. Thursday 4 September ‘Extraordinary Women of the Bible.’

Scripture morning led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at ‘Irenaeus’ 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Bookings and further information contact Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Saturday 6 September Organ Recital by Charlotte Rowan (Organ Scholar) with Richard Lea and Christopher McElroy 2.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Admission free; retiring collection.

Wednesday 10 September Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher: Father Joe Kendall.

Thursday 11 September ‘Extraordinary Women of the Bible.’

Scripture morning led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at ‘Irenaeus’ 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Bookings and further information contact Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Thursday 11 September ‘Songs through the Years.’

An autumn concert by the St Helens Singers, supported by Warrington Light Opera, with a special commemoration of World War One. 7.30 pm at St Helens Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September

Saturday 27 September Town Hall. Tickets £8.00 Tel: 01744 612485 or contact any member of The St Helens Singers. www.sthelenssingers.co.uk Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September St Francis Xavier's Church, Salisbury St, Liverpool (next door to Hope University Everton campus) will be open from 9am4pm each day as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.

Mass at 12.00 noon on Friday and Saturday; Holy Hour at 11.00 am on Saturday; Mass at 10.15 am on Sunday.

All welcome to view the Grade II* listed building.

Saturday 13 September to Saturday 20 September Thinking Scripture: ‘The Gospel of Matthew’.

A holiday and study week at Boarbank Hall, Allithwaite, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7NH. Details Tel: 01539 532288. Email: margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk. Web: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Saturday 13 September Car Boot Sale 8.00 am onwards in the Cathedral Car Park. Pitches £10. Details from Claire Hanlon 0151 709 9222.

Sunday 21 September Caritas in Nugent Care Celebration Mass for and with Disabled People. ‘All one family sharing together.’

3.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon. Details Karen Tel: 0151 261 2042 or Rose Tel: 07795 963466.

Thursday 25 September ‘Extraordinary Women of the Bible.’

Scripture morning led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at ‘Irenaeus’ 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Bookings and further information contact Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Wednesday 24 September Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher: Rev Ernest Diggory.

Saturday 27 September Thanksgiving Mass for the 25th Anniversary of the homeless charity Depaul UK 2.00 pm in Westminster Cathedral.

Celebrant: Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Wednesday 17 September Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher: Father Bob Douglas SMM.

'Joy of the Lord.’ A live concert with Jo Boyce (from popular Catholic Duo 'Boyce and Stanley') and friends 7.00 pm at St Margaret Mary's church, Pilch Lane, Huyton, L14 0JG. Tickets: £6 each (£3 for children under 16) can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope, along with payment to: David Cotterill, 3 Zander Grove, West Derby, Liverpool L12 0QP (cheques made payable to 'St Matthew's Church').

Further information: from Dave Tel: 07739 578236 or email david_cotterill@btinternet.com

Thursday 18 September Newman Circle Talk My Journey to Rome Speaker: Father Bruce Walles. 7.30 pm at St Helen's Parish Centre, Crosby, L23 7TQ.

‘The French Masters’ Concert 7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk

Sunday 14 September Annual Community Mass 11.00 am in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

More details at :www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk or www.catholicpic.co.uk 16

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september Looking ahead: October 2014 Wednesday 1 October

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher: Father John Cullen.

Thursday 2 October ‘Extraordinary Women of the Bible.’

Scripture morning led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at ‘Irenaeus’ 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Bookings and further information contact Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Saturday 4 October Coffee Afternoon for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, Southport branch 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm at St Patrick's Church Hall, Marshside Road, Southport. Cost £1 and includes a cream tea.

Children are free. There will be various stalls including a tombola and a raffle. All are welcome.

Sunday 5 October Rosary Sunday 54th St Helens Annual Family Rosary Procession led by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP Assemble at Church Square at 2.45 pm. Procession starts at 3.00 pm and will follow a route to the church of Holy Cross and St. Helen where it will conclude with Benediction.

Wednesday 8 October Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour 7.15 pm at St Edmund of Canterbury, Oxford Road, Waterloo, L22 8QF. Preacher: Father Tom Leigh.

Friday 10 October Jospice 40th Anniversary ‘Cassocks and Classics’ Concert 7.30 pm at St Faith’s church, Crosby. Guests artists; Chorister Jack Topping, Lesley Smith sopranoand Danielle Thomas mezzo soprano with St Edmund’s choir. Compere: Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips. Tickets from £14 (including interval drinks) enquiries@jospice.org.uk or www.jospice.org.uk Tel: 0151 924 3812 Friday 10 October to Sunday 12 October ‘If God is for us, who can be against..’ A look at the letters to the Hebrews Scripture weekend led by Father Chris Thomas. 10.30 am at ‘Irenaeus’ 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 1RD. Bookings and further information contact Irenaeus Tel: 0151 949 1199 or email jenny@irenaeus.co.uk Thursday 16 October Newman Circle Talk Pastoral Care of the Divorced and Separated Speaker: Frances Trotman. 7.30 pm at St Helen's Parish Centre, Crosby, L23 7TQ.

Monday 6 October to Thursday 9 October Freedom and Hope: ‘Repentance and Forgiveness’ A study week with prayer and relaxation for all who work with and for prisoners. Boarbank Hall, Allithwaite, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7NH. Details Tel: 01539 532288. Email: margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk. Web: www.boarbankhall.org.uk Tuesday 7 October UCM Business Meeting 7.30 pm in the Gibberd Room of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Sunday 5 October St Helens Annual Family Rosary Procession

Embrace Liverpool: Saturday 1 November The brainchild of student John Griffin Embrace Liverpool is a conference for young adults taking place at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Saturday 1 November from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

It will be day to celebrate the faith of young people from throughout the United Kingdom with activities, workshops, keynote speakers, adoration, confession and praise and worship concluding with a celebration of the Eucharist. John says the day will be ‘a chance to reignite and deepen faith, become closer to Christ and network with local like-minded young people’.

The programme for the day will include addresses from Father Dermot Donnelly, Chair of the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation (CYMFED); Sister Catherine Holum, Franciscan Sister of the Renewal from the USA, who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics as a member of the US Speed Skating Team, and John Pridmore. Workshops will be led by Lord Alton, Father Duncan McVicar, Dominican Sister of St Joseph Maria Natella, the Knights of St Columba and Prison Chaplain Ken McCabe. Mass will be celebrated at 4.00 pm by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon.

To register for the day go to www.embrace-liverpool.org.uk

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profile

John Griffin Lighting the way with Embrace by Simon Hart AS a student at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), John Griffin may get to meet Sir Paul McCartney at his graduation ceremony next year. If so, perhaps the two could swap notes on putting on a show in one of Liverpool’s cathedrals.

While the Anglican Cathedral was the venue for Sir Paul’s Liverpool Oratorio premiere, it is the Metropolitan Cathedral that will host John’s brainchild, the Embrace Youth Conference taking place on Saturday 1 November.

Embrace will feature six keynote speakers – including, he notes, ‘an exgangster a speed-skating nun, a prison chaplain’ – along with workshops, discussion groups, adoration, confession and a concluding Mass celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm McMahon.

‘It’s taken up the whole summer,’ says the Bolton-born 21-year-old as he explains a planning process which even includes the composition of a bespoke song for the event by Mike Anderson, composer of hymns such as Sing It In The Valleys. ‘He’s written an anthem, Embrace The World, and we’re going to

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record it and make a music video so hopefully we’ll push that out and people will come to the conference knowing it.’

For John, the inspiration for Embrace came from different places: the experience of big HCPT Masses in Lourdes’ underground basilica; the beauty of the Metropolitan Cathedral (‘a modern building that lends itself to youth gathering’); and the scarcity of big Catholic youth events ‘up north’. Above all is his desire for others to see that ‘the Church is alive for young people.

Some people just go to Sunday Mass and don’t get to see this side of it.’

John’s own experiences as a student in Liverpool tell him it is very much alive.

‘There is so much going on faith-wise with the two cathedrals, the Prince of Peace community, the Seel Street Sisters, who feed the homeless.’ His own involvement with CathSoc, the Liverpool universities’ chaplaincy, even led to him taking on the role of Joseph in a musical they put on last Christmas.

‘We had a laugh with it,’ says John, who plays the guitar as well as singing. ‘We did it in the chaplaincy at St Philip Neri, and blagged all the kit from LIPA for the

lighting and set.’

The title of John’s degree course at LIPA is Theatre Performance Technologies and the organising of Embrace combines his two passions. ‘I am undecided whether to go down the lighting design route or go into youth ministry,’ he says looking to the future ahead of his third and final year. ‘I will probably see how well this goes.’

He is planning Embrace with the help of Father Ian McParland, his CathSoc chaplain, and has assembled a folk group and choir through contacts from the CathSoc and HCPT music groups.

His LIPA colleagues are on hand also. ‘I am hoping to get a lot of the technicians involved in this as we are streaming the Mass online and putting a big sound system in,’ he explains. ‘We are going to install big screens on the balconies to capture the crowds, Songs of Praisestyle. And there’ll have to be the right lighting for the cameras to pick it all up.

Friends from the course will be operating it all.’ With a little help from his friends.

Sir Paul would surely approve.

Visit www.embrace-liverpool.org.uk for more information.

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youth ministry

‘Lourdes is an experience like no other’ Six young people share their reflections on what made the 2014 Archdiocesan Youth Pilgrimage so special.

Tom McCarthy At first I was quite sceptical about spending a full week with a bunch of new people but I wouldn’t want to change anyone who was on my coach down to Lourdes. The idea of going to church every day didn’t sound too great either but after the first Mass, it was just a pleasure to be there. Putting on the yellow polo shirt for the first time on the Saturday just changed me for some reason; you feel like a part of something special walking round the domain with 450 others with the same shirt on.

The memories made there will stay with me for years to come – from singing in a bar of an evening to the brilliant day off at the lake. My parents asked me what the best thing was and my response – ‘Everything’ – shows how amazing this pilgrimage is. It is an experience like no other.

Tom Neal I had never taken the opportunity to go into the baths during any of my previous visits and did not really know what to expect. Before we began, a prayer was said followed by a pep talk by the man in charge.

We were then assigned our stations (I was assigned to bath number 4) and the pilgrims piled in. Our team

of five soon began to operate like clockwork, and although there was only one other English speaker in my group it felt like we all understood each other perfectly. The nerves I originally felt soon went away and were replaced by a sense of privilege. Every pilgrim whom we wrapped in the damp cloth and escorted in and out of the bath was so grateful.

Rebecca Potter Helping the pilgrims was not a duty, it was a reward as they were so pleasant and grateful for our help. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the baths, and lighting a candle at midnight in the Grotto. But the best part was just being surrounded by so many other young people in yellow T-shirts, who shared the same faith as myself, all gathered for the same reason. The overall experience was overwhelming and I can't wait for next year as I now know what the ‘Lourdes Blues’ are!

Wigan and Leigh coach member Tonight was very special as we

walked the uphill Stations of the Cross.

The thought that was put into the stations by every group was astounding. In the night prayer, we were given people to pray for in our groups and we prayed for our coach member Chris who, unfortunately, has been unable to come. We are missing him very much and hoping for a quick recovery. Moments like these come often during the week. The sincerity and thoughtfulness of other coach members is beautiful, and it can be quite emotional.

Charlotte Toole The departure celebration was a chance to reflect on our week, which has for all of us been very special! As individuals we have made many friends, strengthened our faith and celebrated the theme of Lourdes – The joy of conversion – which has given us a chance to reflect on our own lives and ‘let things go’.

Michael Markey Lourdes is an amazing experience which allows us as young people to explore our faith in a way which cannot compare to any other – helping the sick. The elderly pilgrims I have met are so inspiring and it makes the time in Lourdes all the more special and motivates you to keep coming back year on year.

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justice & peace

As lights dim, we must take lessons from the past

By Steve Atherton, Justice and Peace fieldworker ast month we remembered the tragic events of 100 years ago with political leaders across Europe standing respectfully at memorials to the World War One dead while at church services candles were lit to be symbolically blown out. Thank God that European political leaders can attend ceremonies together and that France, Germany and the United Kingdom can issue joint statements about peace but amid the acts of remembrance comes a nagging question: are the lights going out again?

L

On the fringes of Europe, the consequences of World War One are still unfolding: parts of Crimea have been annexed by Russia; in Ukraine, flight MH17 was ‘downed’ and bodies fell from the sky; in Syria, Iraq, Israel/Palestine, and north Africa terrible warfare is happening along the boundaries drawn up by the victors of the ‘Great War’.

The seriousness of the situation on the borders of Europe and in some of the former colonies gives us plenty to ponder on and pray over during the

next four years of the centenary.

There has been repeated use of the catchphrase ‘Lest We Forget’ but no clarity over just what it is we should not forget. We know from our personal lives that remembering times when we have been hurt or offended is as likely to make us want revenge as it is to look for forgiveness, to make up, be friends again and move on.

We need to be careful about just what it is we are remembering. Is it that Britain is always right and others are always wrong? Is it that foreigners are not to be trusted? Is it that might is right? Is it that millions die when diplomacy fails? Is it that war is never the answer? What will be the use of four years of remembrance if all that happens is we talk about battles? It feels like now more than ever we need examples of forgiveness and reconciliation between warring states.

An important step in making remembrance a force for good would be to bring

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the ethical language of Catholic Social Teaching to any talk about war.

This would lead us to ask how human dignity is affected, whether the right to life is being defended, whether the common good is being put ahead of the interests of a select few, whether those affected by decisions to take up arms are involved in the decision making, whether we are in solidarity with those affected, and whether we give priority to the needs of those who are suffering.

It is unlikely that any of us will be consulted personally over decisions to use or not use military interventions but we do have the power of influence in our families and our communities.

If you would like to spend some time reflecting on how Catholic Social Teaching can help us to think about these and other issues, then please contact the Justice and Peace office and arrange for a few sessions in your parish.

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Liverpool Welsh Choral perform The Mikado Come and join us for this colourful, humorous concert edition of Gilbert and Sullivan's masterpiece THE MIKADO. Be transported to the magical land of Titipu to meet Nanki-Poo, Yum Yum and Pooh-Bah and hear all the old favourites including, Three little maids from school, Willow-TitWillow and The flowers that bloom in the Spring. All this in the beautiful surroundings of Hope University's Cornerstone Concert Hall in Shaw Street, opposite the Collegiate. Parking outside or in the Q-Park across the road.

All tickets £12.50. From: 0151 652 6374 or from mavis@lwcu.freeserve.co.uk

StCatholic Vincent de Paul Primary School Pitt Street Liverpool L1 5BY “Serving With Love … Striving For Excellence”

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OFSTED May 2013 - ‘St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School is an outstanding school.’

Convenient City Centre Location Places Available Breakfast Club: open from 7.30am Range of After-School Extra-Curricular Activities

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Two Computer Suites Educational Visits in our Private Minibuses Healthy Schools Award Activemark Gold Basic Skills Quality Mark Liverpool Hope University Articled School Status Archdiocesan Religious Education Inspection “an outstanding school”

For further details, contact the Headteacher: Mr P Stewart on

0151 709 2572

Fax 0151 707 8942 email: vincent-ao@st-vincentdepaul.liverpool.sch.uk

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FHL launches Gaza emergency appeal The Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) charity has responded to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by launching an Emergency ‘Family Support’ Appeal to help the Christian community there.

FHL estimates that there are around 1,300 Christians living in Gaza where conditions have become exceptionally difficult as a result of the destruction of homes and infrastructure caused by the Israeli bombardment during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The FHL provides funds for individual families to access medical treatment and education and build homes, though as FHL vice-chairman Peter Rand said, the current need is just to ensure dayto-day survival.

‘There’s a huge immediate need to address the day-to-day challenges of Gaza’s broken economy and infrastructure,’ he explained. ‘When I

visited Gaza earlier this year I was very impressed with the work of Christian institutions there and the resilience of the population. However, the impact of the current disaster is being felt in the West Bank too, creating uncertainty and concern for the future and a

deterioration of the economic situation with increased unemployment and shortages of basic medications and other resources.

‘While the situation is truly horrific for those in Gaza, FHL Emergency Family Support Appeal deliver help to the most needy families identified by clergy on the ground and FHL's other partners across the West Bank and Gaza. We only deliver funds where we know that the most needy in the Christian community will receive them. We ask all Christians to remember them in their prayers, to be as generous as they can, and to ask their parish and community to support our appeal.’

FHL is a non-political, ecumenical, registered charity. You can make a donation via the website www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk or by post to 2 Station Rd, Kenilworth, CV8 1JJ.

JEAN LITTLE COUNSELLING TRAINING celebrating over 20 years of successful business

54 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, CH41 5AS Counselling courses starting September 2014 COURSES COMPLY WITH QCF GUIDELINES PSYCHODYNAMIC MODEL Thursday evenings: Certificate in Counselling Skills Wednesday evenings: Diploma in Counselling 6 weekends: Diploma in Casework Supervision various short courses available held at weekends Not just teaching! Training is experiential and shows participants how to put their learning into practice Enquiries: Tel: 0151 666 1383 or email: jean@jltraining.org.uk www.jltraining.org.uk

John the Joiner CRB checked For all the small and larger jobs Doors, Skirtings, Architraves, Shelving, Flat Packs Plus All the other jobs that you have put off doing Mobile - 07807486008 Phone or text Email jj4cko52@yahoo.co.uk 22

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cathedral

Wings of Prayer Cathedral Dean Canon Anthony O'Brien and the Dean of the Anglican Cathedral, Rev Peter Wilcox joined an abseil down the Anglican Cathedral to raise money for charity. They descended down the Great West Doors, approximately 150 feet during the now annual abseiling fund raising event.

The descent raised money for a raft of good causes including Zoe’s Place, Woodlands Hospice, Freshfields Animal Rescue, Alder Hey and Everton in the Community. Canon O’Brien’s nominated charities were the Cathedral Fund and Childhood Leukemia More than 400 people took part in the abseil event over two weekends.

Pictures: Nadine Daniel

Cathedral Record Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean With everyone returning after summer holidays and the start of a new school year September is a time of new beginnings. Here at the Cathedral we mark this by having a Community mass this month, on 14th September at 11.00 am, to bring together all who serve the Cathedral in any way, to rededicate ourselves to serving the Cathedral and to ask God’s blessing on the forthcoming year.

Prior to the Community Mass the BBC will be visiting us to film a couple of programmes for the Antiques Roadshow. Most of the filming will take place in the Crypt Halls and the day for the public to bring their heirlooms and antiques is on Thursday 11th September, using the Crypt entrance on Brownlow Hill. From all that I’ve been told the day itself will undoubtedly be hectic and good fun. But there will be a couple of quieter filming days prior to the event when I’m looking forward to meeting Fiona Bruce.

On Saturday 19th at 7.30 pm The Sixteen will be singing a selection of English Renaissance Music at our Cathedral as part of their annual tour.

It is always one of the most popular classical concerts of the year. Later in the year the Philharmonic Orchestra and various choirs will be performing Verdi’s Requiem and Paco Pena (one of the greatest classical and flamenco guitarists) will be performing his setting of a requiem along with other musicians, as well as solo pieces.

World of Atherton

Archbishop Malcolm will be at the Cathedral on 21st September to celebrate the Annual Mass with People with Disabilities at 3.00 pm. Later that afternoon he will meet the priests and religious of the city centre Deanery and celebrate Mass with the local parishioners on Sunday evening in the Crypt.

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Pic extras Mums the Word If we relied solely on newspapers, television and radio to tell us what was going on in the world, we would think that there was nothing good happening at all.

Of course, we need to know about the trouble spots and crises and we need to pray hard for these situations to improve but at the same time, there are good things happening that are not considered newsworthy. Once again this year, for instance, Liverpool’s Catholic Youth went to Lourdes to assist the sick pilgrims, the cost being borne by families and parishioners with the help of fund-raising schemes.

News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Sheila McAllister earns Catholic Women of the Year award We do not often get the opportunity to draw attention to the excellent work that our wives do for the Church, not only in support of the KSC but in many other ways.

It gives us great pleasure, therefore, to report that Sheila McAllister, wife of Jim McAllister – past provincial grand knight and member of Birkenhead council – has been elected by the Catholic Women’s Board as one of their Women of the Year.

More recently, a large number of people abseiled down the west front of the Anglican Cathedral for charity last month. One session was organised by the local Foodbanks and as you will see elsewhere in this issue, Margaret Kerbey, our Archdiocesan Treasurer, was one of these people and in the process she raised over £900. Those of you who volunteer at Foodbanks will know how generous many people are with their time, their goods and donations of money. At the moment we have 30 UCM foundations in Liverpool and in 2013 they raised over £15,000 for charitable causes, both international and local including the Archdiocesan charities.

I am sure that there are other church and secular organisations raising large amounts for charity and this at a time when most families are having to cut back on spending. It is pity, therefore, that newspapers do not have a ‘Good News’ column showing that that there is good in the world after all. Please keep up your fine work.

At our business meeting on 7 October we will be voting for the charities we will be supporting during this coming year. I hope to see you there.

God Bless, Ann Hogg, Media Officer

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Sheila (pictured right) is secretary of the Shrewsbury Diocese’s Union of Catholic Mothers branch and she will be going to London in October to receive the award at a special lunch at the Marble Arch Thistle Hotel. Our heartiest congratulations go to Sheila on receiving this deserved recognition.

We also take this opportunity to congratulate Joe Benton, MP and member of the Bootle council of the KSC, on his award of a Papal Knighthood of the Order of St Gregory the Great in recognition of his long and valuable service to the Church and to the local community. He received the award from Archbishop Malcolm McMahon after Saturday evening Mass at St Monica’s Church where Joe is a parishioner. The presentation was fully covered in the news diary section of the July edition of the Pic. • The KSC are supporting the ‘Embrace Liverpool 2014’ youth conference at the

Metropolitan Cathedral on 1 November (10am-6pm).

Admission is free and you can register on the website www.embrace-liverpool.org.uk or phone 0151 440 2015 for further information. The KSC will have its own stand located in the Columba Chapel.

Posters have been distributed to all churches and contain lots of detail including the names of speakers. The conference will conclude with a Youth Mass at 4pm celebrated by Archbishop Malcolm.

• It is with regret we report the death of our esteemed brother Brian Gallagher, a long-standing member of Ormskirk council. His funeral took place at St Anne’s Church on 21 July. We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow Ann and to all his family. May he rest in peace.

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

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PIC Life God and the restless soul

By Moira Billinge It was our first time away from home and my sister and our two friends felt very grown up as we trekked through the long, winding lanes of the Lake District looking for our youth hostel.

The route took us past a lovely country pub and, testing our new ‘grown-up’ status to the full, we decided to send in my sister – the only member of our group legally entitled to do so – to buy some drinks. None of us had ever tasted alcohol and we did not know what to ask for, but we settled on cider as it sounded innocuous – it was made from apples, after all!

As we sat out of the baking hot sun in the shade of nearby trees, we watched my sister make her maiden voyage through the doors of the pub, only to see her emerge within seconds, redfaced and empty-handed. The barman did not believe that she was 18 and had sent her packing. The youngest of our group, Kathleen, aged 15, was also the tallest so we sent her in instead and she emerged, triumphant, with the tray of drinks.

Expecting that the cider would be a lovely apple-flavoured fizzy drink, we were sorely disappointed because it was the complete opposite. In the end a tree in Windermere was the sole beneficiary of our unsuccessful adventure into adulthood!

As we approached the grounds of the youth hostel, a young man with a beard, long hair and wearing a cowboy hat, was quietly singing along to his guitar and he seemed oblivious to our presence as we passed slowly by. We were so excited; this was a time pre-internet and wall-to-

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wall television and it was the nearest we had ever been to anyone even closely resembling our ideas of what a pop star would look like in real life.

Favourite Prayer for September He has for you A light for every shadow A plan for each tomorrow A key for every problem A balm for every sorrow Trust in him always

From Joan Lindsey parishioner of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

Please send your favourite prayer to: Barbara, Catholic Pictorial, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Worth a visit

Next morning, our collective joy knew no bounds when he, together with his hat and guitar, came over to our breakfast table and sat down. It was the only vacant seat in the dining room, so to be in his company was more a lucky accident than design. He had a very captive audience and we asked him to play a song for us. As the rest of the room fell into silence he performed to perfection ‘Here Comes The Sun’.

Over breakfast he told us of his plans to walk for a few more weeks around the Lakes, and then complete his university studies in America. I asked him if ever felt lonely being on his own so much and to our star-struck group he replied: ‘I am on my own, and that’s my choice, but you can be in a crowded room and still feel lonely.’

My sister – now a nun and always the evangelist – piped up: ‘You are never on your own because God’s always with you.’ ‘There isn’t a God,’ he drawled, and he left the table, looking singularly unimpressed and our paths didn’t cross again.

Loneliness is a poor companion yet God IS always with us, whether we believe it or not and, while trying to fill the void in our hearts, we can make the wrong choices as we attempt to assuage our emptiness. Saint Augustine really knew what he was talking about when he wrote: ‘You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.’ I often wonder if our young guitarist’s heart has managed to find that rest. I really hope that it has.

This month, a visit to Westminster Abbey could provoke thought and interest in our history and our future, writes Lucy Oliver.

Situated next to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the abbey offers a taste of 1,000 years of history. Famous for coronations and as the resting place of 17 monarchs, it was founded by Benedictines in the 10th century and among its many treasures, the Lady Chapel is not to be missed. Financed by Henry VII, and housing his tomb and that of Elizabeth of York, this impressive medieval masterpiece was first used to install Knights of the Order of Bath. Poets’ Corner is another unique site, and is the burial place of many writers including Geoffrey Chaucer. Despite a turbulent history and bomb damage in World War Two, the abbey has always remained a refuge for reflection and prayer.

For those seeking further reflection, from 9-12 September the Westminster Abbey Institute is staging a retreat at Mirfield Monastery in West Yorkshire to consider the moral complexities of war, with contributions from political leaders, academics and representatives from the military. It is titled ‘World War One: The Past in our Present’ and to book a place (free), email: institute@westminsterabbey.org.

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Children’s word search September brings us to the Feast of the birthday of Mary Mother of God on the 8th. Check our word search for this special day.

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MOTHER OF GOD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATE

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PRAYER ACCEPTANCE

More Mullarkey From Johnny Kennedy A young priest, still wet behind the ears, heard Father Mullarkey preach and was very impressed by one particular line.

Have a drive out to see the wonderful colours of our trees and the way the countryside is changing as we approach autumn.

The Unicorn Upholland Road, Billinge WN5 9DJ 01695 627692 The Railway at Leyland Preston Road, Leyland PR25 4NT 01772 458427 The Star Inn Bank Top, Roby Mill, Upholland WN8 0QQ 01257 480344 Saracens Head Summerwood Lane, Halsall 01704 840204 Warehouse Restaurant West Street, Southport PR8 1QN 01744 544662 Ring O’Bells Village Road, Chester CH3 7AN 01244 335422

Greeting Cards from the Carmelite Monastery

‘The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman,’ said the auld fella, after which he paused then declared: ‘My mother!’

The young priest decided he would remember it and use it on the following Sunday. And so he did.

He began nervously: ‘The best years of my life where spent in the arms of a woman…’ His congregation drew in a large breath and waited. ‘And I can't remember who she was!’

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

Beautiful cards for: First Holy Communion & Confirmation cards and new range of Mass cards now available.

Ordination Anniversary of Ordination and all occasions are on sale at: The Carmelite Monastery

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

Maryton Grange Allerton Road Liverpool L18 3NU Please contact the Monastery card office on 0151 724 7102.

Email: marytoncards@outlook.com

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