News

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

Michael Harwood from St Peter and St Paul parish, Crosby, who is studying for the priesthood at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, was ordained to the diaconate on Thursday 10 June. The Ordination Mass was celebrated by Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls, Rome, in the Basilica of St Paul. Michael is pictured during the Mass and afterwards with Cardinal Harvey and the Rector of the Beda College, Canon Philip Gillespie.

Former Vocations Director and Parish Priest of St Helen’s, Crosby, for 24 years, Canon Albert Shaw, died on Tuesday 25 May aged 91 and in the 67th year of his priesthood. His priestly ministry fell into two broadly distinct phases: firstly, in priestly formation and the promotion of vocations, and then as a devoted parish priest at St Helen’s, Crosby, and was distinguished by a generosity of spirit, kindness and good humour. Albert William Shaw was born on 20 January 1930 at Bamber Bridge, the son of John Aloysius and Amy Shaw (née Williams). He attended St Mary’s School, Chorley, and Thornleigh College, Bolton. At 18 he entered the seminary at St Joseph’s, Upholland, where he proved to be a popular member of the community. He distinguished himself as a fine soloist in the various Gilbert and Sullivan productions that were staged and was a keen sportsman. He was ordained priest in the college chapel on 12 June 1954 by Archbishop William Godfrey. Following ordination, he was appointed as curate at St Robert Bellarmine, Bootle, where he served until September 1958. He then returned to Upholland College to take up the post of Prefect of Discipline. Monsignor John Butchard, a student in that period, observed that, ‘He was a very humane Prefect who did much to make our lives pleasant without challenging the status quo. His spirituality shone through in a job that does not lend itself to that.’ That spirituality found a more obvious outlet from January 1969, when he was appointed Spiritual Director at Upholland in succession to Father James English. He remained in this post until July 1975, having been involved in the difficult transition period as the senior house moved to Ushaw and Upholland became exclusively a junior seminary. Upon leaving the college he moved to St James, Bootle, combining his parish duties with the responsibility of being Vocations Director. In September 1979 he was appointed for his first and only appointment as parish priest as he moved from Bootle to St Helen’s, Crosby. He soon immersed himself in this busy and thriving parish and was renowned for his encouragement of singing during the liturgy. His tenure also saw changes to the fabric of the church, with a new stone altar and ambo, and the building of a Lady Chapel. Ecumenical activity was promoted in the parish, and the covenant establishing Churches Together in Crosby was signed in St Helen’s Church in the presence of Archbishop Derek Worlock and Bishop David Sheppard in 1984. Many groups were established in the parish to represent the full richness of Catholic life. By 2003 he had been the local dean for best part of twenty years and only increasing frailty forced his retirement. Jim Dillon’s history of the parish, ‘80 Years On’, notes, ‘He was in his twenty-fourth year as parish priest and the parish was as lively and active as ever. It was a warm, exciting and spiritually stimulating place to be.’ For his distinguished service in the archdiocese, he was appointed firstly as an honorary canon in October 1992 and then became a member of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter in 1998. Throughout his retirement, until his final illness, he lived at Alston Court in Ainsdale. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Helen’s Church, Crosby, on Tuesday 8 June followed by burial at Ainsdale Cemetery.

Father Roy Cooper (left) and Father Michael Barrett (right) with author Sue Ellis Sue Ellis, author of the recently published book 'Thank God for Mass!’ was delighted to meet Father Roy Cooper from St Teresa’s and St Mary Magdalen’s Churches, Penwortham, and Father Michael Barrett from St Oswald’s Church, Longton, when she delivered a large order of books straight to their door. ‘Thank God for Mass!’ is an interactive book for children, families, schools and adult formation groups designed to encourage everybody to look and listen to key aspects of each section of the Mass. Father Roy Cooper said, ‘Thank God For Mass! has arrived at the right time for us, as we are currently doing catch up on First Holy Communions, following the Covid-19 closures and lockdowns’. After taking copies into the two primary schools of St Mary Magdalen and St Teresa’s in Penwortham, the Deputy Headteachers in both Schools were really excited on seeing the book and will be using them with the First Holy Communion children. Father Michael Barrett added, ‘Thank God for Mass may be used in a number of ways by parents, catechists and teachers to support and grow the love of the Mass in our children. Children are good detectives and by asking them to look and listen to parts of the Mass allows them to develop their natural curiosity and to ask further questions. In encouraging and nurturing this knowledge of the Mass we pass on our faith and our love of God.’ ‘Thank God for Mass!’ is available from Sue Ellis by emailing her at sueellisbooks@btinternet.com and part of the royalties will be sent to the London SVP office to help fund Youth SVP and Mini-Vinnies groups. Each 16page book is £8.50 plus postage and packing but there are reductions for schools and churches for 10 and 20 books. It can also be ordered from all good bookshops. Churches and schools around the country are using the book to help their children and families enjoy returning to Church after lockdown as we all appreciate being able to have Holy Communion again and proclaim ‘Thank God for Mass!’

John Keeley was born on 6 November 1939 and followed in his father’s footsteps as a craftsman, mastering a whole range of skills in the construction and maintenance of buildings and gaining a reputation for dedication to his work and utter reliability. He married Maureen on 11th April 1970 and they enjoyed 50 years of family life together, bringing up their children, Catherine, Gerard and Damian and the generations to follow. John was dedicated to his family but also generous with his time and his talents in looking after the needs of his extended family and of an untold number of parishioners in Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton. John’s son Gerard, in his eulogy at the Requiem Mass, said that whilst there was great demand for John’s presence and his skills within and beyond the extended family, there was always enough of John to go round. John’s commitment to service and the depth of his faith led to the discernment of his vocation to the permanent diaconate and, with the support of the parish priest of the time, Father Peter Brett, he was ordained on 28 June 1987. John continued his practical work of service but now added to it the liturgical role of assisting at Mass and presiding at baptisms, weddings and funerals, developing a great gift for preaching. The present parish priest, Father Tim Buckley, described his liturgical presence as impressive, unfussy and exuding a calm authority, his magnificent beard making him look like an Old Testament prophet, but always preaching the New Testament message of Christ’s compassion. Father Tim went on to say, ‘on many occasions he would so touch my heart that I would be moved to share his insights with the congregations at St Mary’s later in the day’. John remained fit and active well beyond the retirement age for deacons of 75 and his death on Friday 9 April, just two days short of the 51st anniversary of his marriage to Maureen, was a great shock to everyone who knew him and relied on him so much. Bishop Ralph Heskett, another former parish priest of Bishop Eton, travelled from his diocese of Hallam to preside at John’s funeral, which was attended by the limited number of his family and friends allowed by the Covid restrictions in place at the time but also watched via livestream by many more priests, deacons and lay people who would have wanted to be there to thank God for his life and ministry.

by Paul Hurst

Father John Gorman is the Parish Priest at the church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith in Ashton-inMakerfield and as we approach the feast day of St Edmund, Father John spoke about this year’s celebration Mass and why he thinks we’ve still got so much to learn from the lives of the Saints. ‘It’s easy to see Sainthood as the end of a journey’ Father John told us ‘but really it’s just the beginning. In the lives of the Saints, we see someone who, by the grace of God, has endured and run the race set before them, and we can all receive great comfort that these Saints continue to offer their prayers with ours today. ‘Sainthood may seem like the end of things to us but we mustn’t forget this, the Saints continue their ministry, the Church is not separated by death. We can be comforted by this. Not only by their example, but also by their continued prayers too. This is particularly powerful when we consider the lives of local Saints such as Edmund Arrowsmith who endured martyrdom for his ministry as a Catholic Priest’. Edmund Arrowsmith was born in Haydock in 1585 and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1612 in France. He returned to north-west England and served as a priest to Catholics living in Lancashire. The work was difficult and dangerous as Catholics were living under persecution from the Protestant-led monarchy. Father Edmund was initially detained in 1622 and questioned by the Bishop of Chester before being released. He continued with his ministry and joined the Jesuit Order in 1624 serving as an ‘underground’ Priest until his capture in August 1628. After his second arrest, Father Edmund was imprisoned at Lancaster Castle. His trial before the assizes Judge Henry Yelverton took place on 26 August 1628 and by all accounts, the matter was concluded speedily. Father Edmund Arrowsmith was found guilty of being a Catholic Priest (and by extension, High Treason) and his sentence was death. He was taken back to the smallest cell in the castle to await his execution. Around lunchtime on 28 August 1628. Father Edmund Arrowsmith was drawn through the streets of Lancaster from the castle up to the hill where the sentence was to be carried out. Father Edmund refused to turn from his faith and, after giving a statement outlining this, he was hanged and quartered. His family secured the return of his right hand as the rest of his mortal remains would not be granted a Christian burial. On the 25 October 1970, Pope St Paul VI canonised St Edmund Arrowsmith along with 39 other Catholic Martyrs from England and Wales and the ‘Holy Hand’ of St Edmund Arrowsmith continues to be venerated at the Church of St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith to this day. Father John picks up the story: ‘For many years after the canonisation of St Edmund, pilgrims would visit the church here in Ashton. On the feast day Mass, we could expect hundreds to visit from all over the country and it’s only in more recent years where the numbers aren’t at that same level. That’s something I’d like to see change. ‘There are so many lessons we can learn from the witness of St. Edmund on resilience, faithfulness and determination. Although the trials and challenges we face today as Catholics are completely different, it’s all too easy for us to be tempted to sideline our faith especially given what’s going on around us in these difficult times. I’d really like to encourage us all to learn from the example of St Edmund and also to seek his intercession and that’s why I’m trying to encourage people to take a look once again at his example. Father John will celebrate a ‘Pilgrims’ Mass’ on Sunday 29 August at 3.00 pm at St Oswald and St Edmund Arrowsmith Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Father John has also been working on a special mini documentary which will be available via the Church’s YouTube Channel (rcchurchesashton). The documentary visits most of the locations from the life of St Edmund Arrowsmith and offers an in-depth look at his life and example.

by Father Philip Inch and Father Matthew Nunes – Synod Moderators

After all the Synod votes were counted and considered the next step was a meeting with the Archbishop, his Council and the Pastoral Plan Group. This took place at the Pastoral Centre of the Leeds Diocese, Hinsley Hall, for 5 days from July 12th. During this week the votes on the 19 Recommendations took centre stage. These votes, the Synod Themes and the 27,000 contributions of the listening stage were allowed to direct and speak to the development of ideas for the pastoral plan. Alongside this the prayer and liturgy of each day inspired our thoughts and plans. At the centre of this was Christ himself whose light was shed on our Synod and on the realities of the world in which we are called to minister and live. It was a hard week but one full of life and energy. By the Thursday a way forward was beginning to emerge. It is challenging but also life giving and most of all faithful to Christ experienced through the discernment that has been our pattern of working throughout the whole synod journey. The ideas, and there were many of them, have surfaced. The next stage is for a writing group to gather (for a week) and to try to present what has emerged in a way that we can put it into place and make a difference. The Archbishop and his Council will review the Plan; the Pastoral Plan Group will meet again for 3 days in September and then we will work out how to rollout the Plan towards it being shared at the end of November.

On Thursday 27 May, Fr Joseph Kiganda CSSp was formally inducted as the Parish Priest of St Mary and St Columba, Castletown and Port Erin, Isle of Man. The Rite of Induction was led by the Dean, Monsignor John Devine. The first reading was read by Howard Connell, Vicar General of the Anglican Diocese of Sodor and Man and Ecumenical Adviser to the Liverpool 2020 Synod. The Gospel was read by Father Brian O’Mahony CSSp, Parish Priest of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Maughold, Ramsey and St Patrick, Peel; Father Joseph was assistant to Father Brian when he first arrived on the Island last year before taking up his new appointment. The service was attended by clergy from other local churches and civic representatives as well as a large number of parishioners and Catholics from across the Island. After the service everyone was able to meet Father Joseph over refreshments. Father Joseph is pictured with (l to r) Father Brian Dougherty; Mark Radcliffe, Vicar of Malew and Santon; Sean Turner, Methodist Minister for the South of the Island; Liz Hull, Curate in Rushen; Monsignor John Devine and Father Brian O’Mahony CSSp.

Parishioners from churches in Huyton have donated backpacks, filled with school items, for children receiving Mary’s Meals more than 7,000 miles away in Malawi where many of the children do not have basic items for school and the backpacks are often the only gift they have ever received The parishioners from St Agnes and St Aidan took part in The Backpack Project, run by the global school feeding charity, and filled 173 back packs with notepads, pencils, clothes and other useful educational essentials. Joanne Matthews, parishioner and long-time supporter of Mary’s Meals says: ‘We have supported the backpack project for a number of years now and it is something that the parishioners love to work together to help with. Knowing that the simple things we take for granted each day like a spoon or a pencil, packed into a backpack with other items, will be the first gifts some of these children will have received, spurs us on each year.’ Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, Emma Hutton, said: ‘We are so grateful to the people of the parish of St Agnes and St Aidan for supporting our Backpack Project. It’s truly wonderful to see the immense joy these bags bring to each child who receives one and to see their faces light up when they pull out a simple item from their backpacks such as a pencil or ball.’ A donated backpack – which can be brand new or a recycled one, such as a school bag, that is in good condition - can be filled with the following items: notepads, pencils, pens, crayons, eraser, sharpener, ruler, pencil case, towel, shorts or skirt, t-shirt or dress, flip-flops or sandals, small ball like a tennis ball, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and a spoon. The Backpack Project is helping young people like Lagia, 13, at Ngabu Primary School in Malawi, to learn in class. She says: ‘I am so happy because I have received a backpack. Inside, I found a dress, pens and a hardcover book. I will use the bag every day to carry pens and books when I am coming to school.’ For more information on what to donate and how the project works, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/backpack. Anyone in the Liverpool Region can phone 0800 698 1212 for more information.

Parishioners helping to pack the backpacks into sacks ready for collection

Christopher Holden, the oldest altar server at St Anne and Blessed Dominic, Sutton, St Helens, was presented with a papal blessing on his 90th birthday by Parish Priest, Father John Paul Illunga. The Mass was attended by his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Chris still regularly serves at Mass.

‘I am so angry at the Government’ said Jesuit Parish Priest, Denis Blackledge, of Saint Francis Xavier in Everton, near Liverpool City Centre. ‘Two years ago, they promised 0.7% of gross national income to overseas development, and now they’ve broken that promise by only giving 0.5% of an already depleted gross national income. So, for the first time in my life, at 78 years of age, I’m going to protest publicly – I’m going to do a water-only 24 hour fast. I’ll sit in my armchair in front of the High Altar after 12.00 noon Mass on Thursday 3 June until 12 noon the following day, and we’ll keep the church open for the whole 24 hours so people can give their support.’ Having celebrated Mass on Thursday 3 June Father Denis took off his vestments and sat in his chair – to start an interesting 24 hours for him. As it turned out, between 12.30 pm and 8.30 pm he only had about five minutes to himself. A procession of people, from friends and parishioners, swimming companions, local City Councillors, the Deputy Mayor, an MP and clergy gathered for conversation and encouragement. Then the hard part – the vigil hours. Father Denis got about an hour’s sleep in his chair from eleven until midnight, but from then on people came into church throughout the night to keep him company in prayer and reflection. From 8.00 am to 11.00 am Father Denis enjoyed the silence in church until his meeting with friend and ecumenical colleague Rev Henry Corbett. As it was half term, Joint Church School, Faith Primary, sent their support remotely, and one student, Luca, came along and gave a short performance on the violin. None of this could have been done without the quiet presence of Debbie Reynolds, Pastoral Assistant at SFX Church, coordinating the Church being open safely and attended with covid measures. The original intention was to protest, not to make money, but, in the end, some £1,557.24 was raised and donated equally to Cafod, Jesuit Missions and the Jesuit Refugee Service, as all were instrumental in helping to raise awareness with facts and figures of this unfair cut to overseas aid, which will cost lives. Father Denis said, ‘I hope my small gesture will encourage us all to stand up for our poor sisters and brothers in our one world and will awaken our government to respond to their urgent needs.’

Father Denis (centre) with l to r Debbie and Peter Reynolds, Liverpool Deputy Mayor Cllr Jane Corbett and Rev Henry Corbett, Liverpool Cllr Sarah Doyle, Cabinet Member for Development and Economy.

On Sunday 27 June parishioners past and present gathered at St Joseph’s, Willaston on the Isle of Man for a service to mark the closure of the church. They are pictured with Monsignor John Devine and Father Brian Dougherty afterwards. Monsignor Devine gives a full account of the occasion in his ‘Sunday Thoughts’ column this month.