The Sower – Summer 2019

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Summer 2019

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WELCOME

By A R C H B I S H O P

BERNARD LONGLEY

To our Diocesan family, WELCOME to the summer 2019 issue of The Sower.

We’re more than halfway through the year and it’s proving to be a very busy one!

I am absolutely delighted we will be celebrating the canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman in October.

Now the Vatican has confirmed the exact date you can be sure there will be many events taking place across the Archdiocese and beyond in the run-up to, during and after the canonisation.

Many pilgrims from the Archdiocese will be making their way to Rome and Thanksgiving Masses will be celebrated on the following weekend. I encourage you to visit the dedicated canonisation website – newmancanonisation.com to find out more.

I spent most of May out of the country on a number of important visits abroad.

This included attending the Bishops’ Conference Plenary Meeting in Valladolid, the ARCIC (Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission) meeting in Jerusalem, back to Valladolid for a Visitation of the English College and finally our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

This year’s annual visit to Lourdes was wonderful, as over 700 people from across the Archdiocese gathered together in prayer and unity. You can read all about it in this issue on pages four and five.

We also recently welcomed back Bishop Robert Byrne for his Mass of Thanksgiving at St Chad’s Cathedral. It was very good to catch up with him, and find out how he is settling into his new role as Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. You can read an interview with Bishop Robert on

Archbishop Bernard with Sister Mary Norbert, left, and Sister Mary Felita, both of the Congregation of Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Archdiocese’s Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Canonisation celebrations to be highlight of a busy year

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page 15. We recently welcomed three new priests to the Archdiocese as they were ordained at St Chad’s Cathedral in July. Please continue to pray for Fathers Marco Egawhary, Ryan Service and John Waters as they respond to God’s calling to serve in our communities, and go on to complete their final year of studies in Rome before returning to the Diocese.

Our Diocesan Vision – Unfolding God’s Plan – is continuing to take shape and we will soon be engaging with you all on this very important piece of work. The five themes of: Parish Renewal, Young People and Families, Evangelisation, Formation and Charity will continue to be explored and developed as we look towards the future of our Archdiocese.

It is vital we engage with you, the lay faithful, in order to respond to Jesus’ command to all of us to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’.

I encourage you all to get involved in this consultation and help us to shape an Archdiocese fit for the future.

Many of you will have seen the media coverage following the publication of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report in June.

The Archdiocese was chosen as a case study of the Roman Catholic Church and I am very grateful that we have had the opportunity to be involved in such an important issue.

We accept that we have failed victims and survivors of abuse and I again apologise for the grievous failings made in the past.

Apologies are just words though, if not backed up by action.

Since the public hearing last autumn a huge amount of work has already taken place to improve our safeguarding, and the Archdiocese has already fundamentally changed its practices and processes to ensure an open and compassionate

approach to victims and survivors.

We now have more safeguarding personnel, better management and recording systems, stronger DBS/checking procedures and clear policies and practices on safeguarding referrals and agreements, to safeguard those who come in contact with the Church.

I have also personally met a number of victims and survivors and have been moved by their words.

We must do better moving forward. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

As autumn approaches, I hope that you will have had some time to enjoy a restful summer break and I assure you of my continued prayers and every kind wish.

With every blessing. Yours devotedly in Christ.

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Anne’s marriage was remarkable deepening of faith journey A

wedding day with a difference marked a remarkable deepening of Anne Duell’s faith journey. Her marriage was to Christ – and she became a Consecrated Virgin living in the world, a vocation dating back to Apostolic times.

For her special day in St John and St Martin Catholic Church, Balsall Heath, she wore a white dress and was presented with a bridal veil, a book of the Divine Office and a wedding ring as symbols of her consecration.

By becoming a bride of Christ and making a promise to God of perpetual virginity she was signalling her intention to live out her spiritual vocation through apostolic activity and prayer.

As a result of her consecration to God she was “mystically espoused to Christ and dedicated to the service of the Church” according to the approved liturgical rite (Canon 604.1).

She became one of only around 200 Consecrated Virgins in the UK and 5,000 worldwide. The rite was repromulgated by the Catholic Church less than 50 years ago.

The rite of consecration, conducted in 2015 by the then Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham Robert Byrne, marked Anne’s public profession of her vocation – and she has never looked back.

“I had felt that God was calling me to give myself to him completely since I was 13 and I was introduced to the concept of Consecrated Virginity when I was at the University of Central Lancashire as a student,” said Anne, aged 47, who is a nursing sister at Moseley Hall Hospital, Birmingham.

“After much discernment and once settled in work and life I entered a period of formation to be prepared for life as a Consecrated Virgin.

“There are many ways in which a woman can be called to follow Christ in the Church but I felt this vocation was my calling as it embraced elements of both the active and contemplative life in a balance that felt right for me.”

Certainly Anne’s job as a nursing sister gives her the opportunity to follow her passion for caring for older people, while in her life away from work she prays the Divine Office daily as required by the Order of Consecrated Virgins.

She also prays for priests, seminarians and men and women who are discerning their vocations.

For the past few years in Balsall Heath Anne has supported the parish priest with sacramental preparations and most weeks she visits some of the sick and Anne with Bishop Robert Byrne on the day of her consecration.

Anne Duell pictured in St Chad’s Cathedral.

housebound in the parish bringing Christ to them in Holy Communion.

Annually she meets with the Bishop designated the responsibility for overseeing the Consecrated Virgins in the Archdiocese.

In addition she meets monthly with a spiritual director to aid her ongoing formation and spiritual growth.

“My life is at the heart of the Diocese,” said Anne. “I offer my prayers for the Diocese in which I live, work and worship.

“Secular work keeps me rooted in the needs and struggles of society, since as part of our consecration we sign a declaration confirming that we are financially stable and have no recourse to the Diocese for funding.

“We are free to embrace work in the Diocese as requested and are able, as our secular work permits.”

Anne was brought up in her mother’s Baptist faith and her spiritual journey began when the family moved from Scotland to Plymouth when she was in her early teens.

Sensing something was missing in her faith she found herself by chance at a Catholic Mass and was inspired, thus beginning her journey into the Catholic Church and its living faith and traditions.

The desire to give herself in totality to Christ resurfaced and

while at university she found a priest who was both “down to earth” and a “fantastic” spiritual director who guided her in this part of her journey to explore different life options including single life, marriage, monastic and active religious communities.

Finally, despite uncertainty from family who had their struggles accepting Anne’s journey into the Catholic Church, Anne found her vocation and, in time, with her mother’s support she chose the life she is now living.

“I have found my vocation as a Consecrated Virgin absolutely fulfilling,” said Anne, whose role model is Mary, Virgin and Mother.

“Virginity is a gift that we can freely choose to offer to another in marriage. For me, I chose to offer this gift back to God for the greater good of the Church and local community in which I am living and working.

“Of course I have chosen to sacrifice the opportunity of marriage and having a physical family, but I freely chose that sacrifice and this can only be done after a period of honest discernment, prayer and soul searching.

“Through embracing God’s plan for my life, I have in return received the gift of consecration to Christ, and that of becoming a spiritual mother through my prayers and works in the Church.”

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“

I have been to Lourdes many times. The first time was 1958, I came with my Catholic school and I’ve really lost count of how many times I’ve been since. It must be 25-30 times.

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It’s just somewhere I love to come, and one of the main reasons I love to come with the Diocese is to listen to Jo Boyce and her music. It inspires me for the rest of the year.

Archbishop Bernard displays the banner of Cannock-based Cardinal Griffin Catholic College along with a teacher and students.

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The statue of Mary, mother of God, is held aloft during the torchlight procession.

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Archbishop Bernard and Auxiliary Bishop David McGough present a gift to pilgrim Meena O’Toole.

It just brings people together. Makes you think and do things positively.

Young pilgrims from the Archdiocese take part in the International Procession.

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I carried the flags to lead everyone in the torchlight procession.

It was really exciting, exhilarating, and I was really honoured.

Even though it was raining a lot, it was still really fun.

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Archbishop Bernard with members of the Kenelm Youth Trust outside the Rosary Basilica.

Young people take bigger lead on annual Lourdes pilgrimage P

ILGRIMAGE can be a powerful experience.

Away from their everyday lives it offers people a chance to focus on their faith – and encounter Jesus in a profound way.

The annual pilgrimage to Lourdes undertaken by the Diocese is no different. This year over 700 pilgrims, including some 300 young people plus nurses and carers, travelled to the French town and shrine nestled in the French Pyrenees for a week of reflection, community and prayer.

Every pilgrimage to Lourdes has its own character and this year youth services took a bigger lead with music, liturgy and animation.

Pilgrimage director, Canon Gerry Breen, said: “We had nearly 300 teenagers there, it is very formative for them.

“One thing they find is that they’re in a place where praying is natural, where their peers are at prayer. It enables young people to get a perspective on life and what it means to be part of the Church.

“They are looking for something real in their lives, which they find here, I think.

“The theme of Blessed are the Poor has given everyone an opportunity to focus on what are true riches in their lives – there are a lot of false riches.”

Canon Gerry first started to come to Lourdes as a teenager

and it was there that he first encountered the church with a “human face”.

“It was very formative for me on the path to priesthood,” he said. “Here we put all the theology, scripture and all that we learn into practice – scripture comes to life and we understand why Mass is at the heart of

Student Joseph Pap framed by the #Brum2Lourdes display used to promote the pilgrimage on social media.

everything we do.” Pilgrims Elizabeth and Pauline McDonald have been coming on the pilgrimage since 1965 with their 10 siblings.

Elizabeth said: “On my fourth occasion I saw the people helping the sick and said to myself either I’ve got to help with the sick when I come again or I won’t ever

come again. So I did and since 1973 I’ve been helping with the sick every year.

“When we first came the pilgrimage was divided into two sections – the youth section and the main section and, of course, we were always part of the youth section then, but the youth section covered everybody who didn’t fly or go first class overland.

“Now there’s a lot of youth coming and it would be really lovely if all those that are coming now were still going to come back in years to come, to get from it the experience that we’ve had and the family atmosphere.

“We’ve known so many people over the years, they’re from all over the Diocese. It really is one big family, we’ve all made so many friends and that’s what’s so lovely about it.

“When I do come back, the first thing I do is go to the grotto and it’s like coming home and that’s what I really love about it.”

Pauline said: “When I first came I was scared of helping the sick and said I wouldn’t, but I did when I came back the next time.

“I’ve been on the pilgrimage 53 times and helped 52 times.

The reason I keep coming back is family, and my mum and dad’s legacy. I come to spend time with family and with Our Lady.”

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Columban Missionaries pictured at their British base in Solihull are, left to right, Missionary Father Jim Fleming, Justice and Peace Education Worker James Trewby and Mission Office Administrator Stephen Awre.

Columbans are excited to respond to Pope’s missionary call to action C

OLUMBAN Missionaries are excited to be working closely with the Archdiocese in response to Pope Francis’ missionary initiative – “Baptised and Sent: the Church of Christ on mission in the world”.

With October 2019 designated by His Holiness as the Extraordinary Missionary Month, this international Catholic missionary society, which has its British base in Solihull, is helping to put into action the call to mission for justice, peace and care for creation.

Working in partnership is central to their vocation and they are keen to collaborate with both religious and lay people, sharing their wide-ranging experiences of crossing boundaries for the sake of the Gospel. This year a team of Columban missionary priests is visiting parishes throughout the Archdiocese to give the annual Mission Appeal.

“In parishes, it is important to make the connection between the (scripture) readings, the Eucharist and mission,” said team member Father Jim Fleming, who was

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formerly based in the Philippines and Pakistan. “Faith calls us to action on injustice and exploitation. In particular, we encourage parishes to respond to the situation of asylum seekers and refugees.”

In light of the Extraordinary Missionary Month, the Society – which draws inspiration from the sixth century Irish monk, Saint Columban – has launched a series of further initiatives.

The Columbans contributed a discussion paper for Diocesan deanery clergy meetings highlighting various characteristics of mission that reflect how the Church’s understanding of mission around the world has changed.

More than 30 Year 9 students from schools across the Archdiocese are taking part in visits to mission activities as part of “2019: The Mission Project” devised by the Columbans and the Diocesan Education Service (DES). Pupils have visited Carrs Lane Lived Community, St Chad’s Sanctuary, Fatima House, Solihull Welcome and City Hospital Greenhouses.

“It is wonderful for both young people and their teachers to see these expressions of faith in action,” said Columban Justice and Peace Education worker, James Trewby, who is leading the programme with Faith in Action volunteer Catherine Bridgwood.

“The project encourages young people to look at mission in a new light and to consider how they are called to participate.”

On Saturday, October 12 all are welcome to join the Columban Missionaries and the Justice and Peace Commission for the Archdiocese for a day to reflect on and respond to the theme of “Baptised and Sent: our call to be missionary disciples” at St Peter’s Catholic School in Solihull.

“All those who are baptised are called to be missionary disciples,” said Stephen Awre, Mission Office Administrator and Chair of the event planning group. “We are seeking to encourage and challenge people to look beyond the borders of their own experience.”

Further information about this event can be found at columbans.co.uk/emm2019

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Bestselling author says proactive evangelism is key to Church’s future I

NTERNATIONALLY renowned author and speaker Sherry Weddell has said the Catholic Church must look to its history in order to become a successful missionary force for the future.

United States born Sherry, who has written a number of books including the bestseller Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, and is also the Co-Founder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, was invited to the Archdiocese by Natalie Orefice, Advisor for Parish Evangelisation.

Ahead of an evening talk at the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, she spoke to The Sower to explain how proactive evangelism is key to the Church’s future. She said: “We live in a post-Christian era, where many people whose families may well have been Catholic for many generations have moved away from the Church for a number of reasons.

“For many young people raised as Catholics, particularly of the Generation Z era, God is perceived as a bad-tempered cosmic taskmaster and, although Sherry pictured delivering her talk at the Maryvale Institute in June.

they are aware of the importance of Jesus, they are not aware of how or why he is related.

“So they become practising agnostics or atheists and do not believe in God, do not attend services and do not pray.

“Because of this we need to return to primary evangelism and approach them as if they had never been part of the Church in the first place.

“Jesus told us to make disciples and we must do just that. We need to create disciples and help them experience a personal living encounter with Christ and understand how God became incarnate in Jesus and why that matters.

“We cannot assume people will simply return to religion and so we cannot, as a Church, just be in maintenance mode – we must become missionaries.

“This requires a step change in thinking and will be a long journey. But it is worth remembering that for 18 centuries the Catholic Church was the world’s great evangeliser, spreading the word around the Globe. We lost our way in that

Sherry Weddell with a copy of her book Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus.

respect for the last 200 years but now it is time to reclaim our history as missionaries.”

Sherry also spoke about her own journey to Catholicism and her current role: “I was raised in a very much anti-Catholic community in Mississippi, in the deep south of America. But my life changed when I was at

university and as a student stepped over the threshold of a Catholic church.

“I immediately felt the presence of God. It was a strong and powerful feeling and it led to a massive redirection of my life.

“It was a very steep learning curve and I almost quit the Church three times but I listened to people, took their advice and moved into the evangelical world from there.

“Since then I have gone on to work with more than 150,000 Catholics in well over 500 parishes around the world helping people to become effective disciples of Jesus.

“The last few years have been exciting and we have seen a positive transformation in the situation in the United States thanks to our methods. Britain is a little further back in terms of this journey but the conversation has certainly begun and there are many things to be optimistic about.”

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My favourite

SAINT In a regular feature, The Sower asks people to name their favourite saint and explain why the saint is so important to them. Here, Deacon Michael McKearney, ongoing formation co-ordinator for the Archdiocese, tells how two saints by the name of Joseph have helped to guide him on his journey through life.

S

T Damien of Molokai (named Joseph before his entry into religious life) and St Joseph the husband of Mary, have both given me sustenance at crucial turning-points in my life.

When I was 19 – at an age when I was finding my way back to the faith – the mother of a friend told me how Father Damien had been a great inspiration in her life.

On learning about his life I was immediately inspired by his complete selflessness and his spirit of giving.

Born Józef (Joseph) De Veuster in Belgium in 1840, he entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary taking the name Brother Damianus (Damien in French).

Assigned to a mission on Hawaii in 1864 Damien was ordained as a priest and then posted to the Catholic Mission in North Kohala.

When it was decided that the lepers in a settlement colony on the island of Molokai needed a Catholic priest to assist them, he volunteered.

It’s impressive that though he was made aware of the possibly fatal consequences he still stepped forward.

On being presented to the 816 lepers Father Damien spoke to them as “one who will be a father to you, and who loves you so much that he does not hesitate to become one of you; to live and die with you.”

That is incredible: he was completely clear about the danger he was putting himself in,

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but he felt the lepers’ need was greater than the value of his own life. He was trying to be like Christ, emptying himself of any personal ambition and living for other people.

During his 16 years on Molokai he lived as an equal alongside the lepers; treating, teaching and ministering to them as well as painting houses and organising the construction of chapels, roads, hospitals and churches. He eventually died of leprosy.

I see St Damien as an inspiration and a model for the modern priesthood. He was completely committed to the spiritual needs of his parishioners, but he was also willing to roll his sleeves up and meet their material needs. In the words of Pope Francis, he was definitely a shepherd who had the smell of his sheep. He is also an inspiration for permanent deacons and all who commit themselves to a life of service in the Church. His example helps us to develop a heart of service.

His example of being with people where they are and the inspiration that gives, is most valuable when, as part of a team of volunteers, I go into a young offenders’ institute, to support the chaplain at Mass and to spend time with those in prison.

Another great role model is St Joseph the husband of Mary. A man of great action, he

Deacon Michael McKearney with St Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus.

made an incredibly brave decision to marry Mary even though her child was not biologically his. He did it out of love for her and that love helps to inspire us and to nurture our love for the mother of Christ.

To take on the role of Jesus’ father was a very powerful thing and I see Joseph, a great, sometimes unspoken hero, as a

protector of the Holy Family. We see this clearly in his taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect them from the schemes of Herod.

St Joseph really became special to me when my wife and I became adoptive parents 15 years ago. He is often described as the foster father of Jesus but I prefer to see him as Jesus’ adoptive father.

This was not a temporary role that Joseph took on. He raised Jesus, taught him his trade and loved him as any father would love their own child.

Joseph is very special to me and somebody to aspire to as an adoptive parent. I pray to him daily in the hope I can be the best dad I can be.

I am proud to say that our son, who is now aged 20, still comes to Mass with us and is now chief altar server in our parish and always helps out at parish events. Thanks be to God for these two great examples of service.

St Damien May the Lord give of Molokai. us more Josephs.

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Barnardo’s to provide additional scrutiny of safeguarding practices A

number of initiatives have been launched by the Archdiocese’s recently strengthened Safeguarding Team to ensure children and vulnerable people are better protected from harm.

Barnardo’s, the UK’s largest children’s charity, has been commissioned to provide additional scrutiny to the Diocese’s safeguarding practices.

The charity’s involvement will include supporting the Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator through supervision.

“This is a great opportunity for Barnardo’s to support current and future safeguarding practice and development in the Diocese,” said Rod Weston-Bartholomew, Safeguarding Consultant, Barnardo’s Training and Consultancy.

“This contract presents a good platform to build on, and will allow Barnardo’s to use our experience to add to safeguarding at the Diocese.”

Meanwhile a digital case management system has been procured by the Archdiocese so that cases can be effectively managed.

Supporting the system is SafeSys, an online database for safer recruitment, primarily managing data from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The initiatives are being led by Andrew Haley, who was appointed Interim Head of Safeguarding in October 2018.

Interim Head of Safeguarding Andrew Haley and Archbishop Bernard discuss the IICSA report.

The team, doubled in strength by the arrival of two social workers to provide further expertise, has reviewed 200 past cases to ensure they had been satisfactorily resolved.

“The Safeguarding Team works closely with police and Children’s Services to ensure that vulnerable children are protected from harm,” said Andrew.

“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and it is critical that

parishioners know that they can be confident safeguarding professionals in the team will listen to their concerns and take appropriate action, no matter who is the focus of the concern.

“The Archdiocese recognises the poor responses to past victims of clerical abuse and whilst the Church has come a long way in the last decade it is important that by our words and deeds we are focused on protecting the

vulnerable from harm and doing what we can to mitigate past harms.”

The Safeguarding Team is promoting EduCare online safeguarding training for all clergy and Parish Safeguarding Reps (PSRs) which is also open to all parishioners.

All clergy and PSRs are expected to work through eight modules of training covering child protection and adult protection.

Archdiocese studies the independent inquiry report THE Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has published a report on the Archdiocese of Birmingham as a case study of the Catholic Church.

The Archdiocese was asked to take part in the IICSA process and believes that the work being done is of great significance. It supports the aim of strengthening and improving safeguarding practices and cultures within the Church.

In a statement following publication of

the report in June, the Archdiocese said: “We accept that we have failed victims and survivors of abuse and again apologise for the grievous failings we have made in the past. Apologies are just words though, if not backed up by action.

“We will take the time needed to review the IICSA report thoroughly in order to make a detailed and considered response, which will inform our ongoing commitment to do more and better.”

The Archdiocese has already responded to independent reviews that it had commissioned prior to the IICSA hearing by making changes to ensure an open and compassionate approach to victims and survivors. These include clear policies on safeguarding referrals, a strengthening of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checking to move away from a paper-based system and an expansion of the safeguarding team.

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Jane Deegan, Head of Parish Catechetics for the Archdiocese, looks through archives of Canon Drinkwater’s writings.

Top left, early issues of The Sower produced by Canon Drinkwater. Left, an issue of The Sower edited by Monsignor McHugh dated September 1992. Above right, the last two issues of the present day version of The Sower magazine.

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Tributes are paid to pioneering educationalist as The Sower celebrates its centenary in style I

T has been through four different publishing phases and survived a dormant period when its pages were silent. On one occasion it underwent a name-change after being re-launched by a Catholic university in America.

Nevertheless, in a testament to its longevity and its ongoing international reputation, The Sower magazine has survived and is this year celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Over the years its value as a catechetical publication has never been doubted – and tributes are being paid to the pioneering educationalist who founded it in 1919.

Canon Francis Drinkwater, a priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, launched it as a modest “monthly” using money he had saved from his pay as a wartime chaplain.

Serving as a chaplain in the trenches during the First World War he had become aware of how little of their faith the Catholic soldiers retained from their childhood instruction.

The Sower magazine, set up as a forum for discussion of religious ideas and education, aimed to promote a religious education that was informed by practical experience and was not over-theological.

By 1929 a “Sower Scheme” was up and running in the elementary schools of the Archdiocese, supported by the use of drama as a teaching aid and a variety of support books for teachers.

Alongside his work as a parish priest at the Church of the Holy Family, Small Heath, Birmingham, Canon Drinkwater published numerous educational essays and stories for children.

He held the post of Inspector of Schools in the Archdiocese for more than 30 years and travelled abroad, spreading his progressive catechetics. In the 1930s a

Monsignor Daniel McHugh with the portrait of Canon Drinkwater which is in the library named after him at the Maryvale Institute, Birmingham.

religious order was founded in Arizona, based on the philosophy embedded in The Sower.

At the age of 75 the Canon, a great advocate of the National Justice and Peace movement and an ardent pacifist, went to the United States to lecture and, right until his death at the age of 95, he was writing and speaking on matters of topical concern.

Today Canon Drinkwater is still revered at the Maryvale Institute, which was entrusted with continuing The Sower as a catechetical journal in 1992.

Instrumental in bringing The Sower back to the Diocese, after a time when it was published by McCrimmon as an ecumenical magazine before falling into limbo, was the first Director of

the Institute, Monsignor Danny McHugh.

Monsignor McHugh, who took over publication of the magazine, had visited Canon Drinkwater to obtain his blessing for the Institute at the time of its opening. The Canon told him he was delighted that the adult religious education centre was being established.

“I had a great regard for him,” said Monsignor McHugh. “He had launched The Sower for religious educators, for parish and school use.

“We carried it on as a continuation of his work until, after I left Maryvale, it slipped out of Diocesan hands again.”

In 2006 a co-publishing agreement was reached with the

Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, with the University taking over the editorial, design and production seven years later.

But now, much to Monsignor McHugh’s (and many others’) delight, the magazine is back with the Archdiocese.

Dr Marie Cooke, Director of Further Education Programmes at Maryvale, said: “The more we learn of Francis Drinkwater’s life and work the deeper our admiration and affection for him is.

“The Archdiocese should be proud that he founded The Sower after his wartime experience, as a unique step in the religious formation of faithful, responsible Catholics in the world today.”

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THE LIFE OF Monsignor Timothy Menezes by a bust of John Henry Newman inside the Birmingham Oratory.

Inset right, a blue plaque at the Birmingham Oratory unveiled by Pope Benedict XVI after the beatification of John Henry Newman in 2010.

Vice Rector Paul Keane in the Chapel at Oscott College where John Henry Newman preached his famous Second Spring sermon from the pulpit, shown in the background of the picture.

Cardinal Newman canonisation set to be celebrated across the Archdiocese T

Father Peter Conley pictured in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Maryvale.

John Henry Newman preached in the chapel and he had a view of it from his room.

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HE imminent canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman is a cause for great celebration across the Archdiocese.

He is the first English person to be declared a Saint by the Catholic Church since the 16th and 17th century Reformation martyrs were canonised in the late 20th century.

The canonisation of this religious figurehead who spent the second half of his life in Birmingham will take place during Mass, celebrated

by Pope Francis, in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City on Sunday, October 13.

One of the greatest religious leaders and scholars of his age, Newman had a key role in the Oxford Movement before leaving his priesthood in the Church of England to be received into the Catholic faith, going on to found the Oratorian movement in England.

After his reception into the Catholic Church in 1845 he was confirmed by Bishop Wiseman in the chapel of Oscott College in Birmingham. Wiseman offered Newman the use of the former seminary as his first Catholic home.

He renamed the building as Maryvale, living in a room overlooking the blessed sacrament and the Sacred Heart Chapel, while he discerned his vocation in the

Catholic Church. Moving for a time to Rome to prepare for his ordination, he became inspired to introduce an Oratory of St Philip Neri in England.

He established the first English Oratory, a community of secular priests following the life of the 16th century Italian saint, at Maryvale in 1847.

This Birmingham Oratory, which subsequently moved to the city centre and then to Edgbaston, was Newman’s home from 1852 until 1890, and the focus of his ministry.

Today the Oratory houses some of his relics, in the chapel established as the national shrine at the time of his beatification by Pope Benedict XVI at a Mass in Cofton Park, Birmingham, in 2010.

As part of the preparation for the canonisation a series of talks entitled “Meeting John Henry Newman” were given in Oscott Chapel, to enable seminarians and local people to understand Newman more fully.

Symposium organiser Judith Champ, Professor of Church History at Oscott College, used her own talk to highlight the importance of friendship in Newman’s life.

“Newman is a patron saint for our own times, understanding as he did the hardship of a world no less

hostile, indifferent or challenging about faith than our own, and full of people needing the love of God,” said Professor Champ.

“The friendships he nurtured were, in his own words, the mustard seed. Newman knew that friendship comes at a cost, but that it bears fruit for the whole of humanity.”

Newman was so loved by the people of Birmingham for his work as a pastoral priest that 15,000 of them lined the streets for his funeral procession.

Father Peter Conley, of the parishes of Christ the King, Kingstanding, and Our Lady of the Assumption, Maryvale, who is writing a book about Newman’s thought, said:

“He was a very compassionate person with a tremendous capacity for pastoral and academic work.

“Composing letters was also a major part of his approach – we can get to know him especially by reading them.”

As the eagerly-awaited canonisation approaches, the Oratories of England have created a series of resources including blogs, podcasts and videos accessed through a highly-informative website at newmancanonisation.com.

The website is supported by dedicated Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

A portrait of Cardinal Newman.

JOHN HENRY NEWMAN 1801– John Henry Newman was born at Old 1801 Broad Street, London.

1816– Newman underwent his first 1816 Conversion. Entered Trinity College, Oxford, as a commoner.

1817– First communion in the Church 1817 of England.

1820– Took his degree at Trinity College.

1820 1822– Decided to take Orders in the Church 1822 of England.

1824– Began his pastoral ministry as a curate 1824 in the parish of St Clement, Oxford.

1825– Ordained priest in the Church of 1825 England.

1828 Appointed Vicar of St Mary’s, the 1828Oxford University Church.

1833– Wrote poem later set to music as the 1833 hymn “Lead, kindly light”.

1839– First doubts about the position of the 1839 Anglican church.

1845– Received into the Catholic Church at 1845 Littlemore by Father Dominic Barberi.

Confirmed at Oscott.

1846– Settled at Old Oscott, renamed 1846 Maryvale. Set off to Rome to study.

1847– Pope approved Newman’s decision to 1847 start an Oratory in England. Ordained as a Catholic priest.

1848– The English Congregation of the 1848 Oratory set up at Maryvale.

1852– Oratory moved to new house in 1852 Edgbaston (after brief intermediary time in Alcester Street, Birmingham). Preached famous “Second Spring” sermon at Oscott.

1854– Installed as Rector of the Catholic 1854 University in Dublin.

1859– The Oratory School opened in 1859 Edgbaston.

1865– Newman’s poem “The Dream of 1865 Gerontius” published.

1879– Newman is made Cardinal in Rome.

1879 1890– Died of pneumonia and was buried in 1890 the Oratorian cemetery at Rednal near Birmingham.

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THE LIFE OF Monsignor Timothy Menezes by a bust of John Henry Newman inside the Birmingham Oratory.

Inset right, a blue plaque at the Birmingham Oratory unveiled by Pope Benedict XVI after the beatification of John Henry Newman in 2010.

Vice Rector Paul Keane in the Chapel at Oscott College where John Henry Newman preached his famous Second Spring sermon from the pulpit, shown in the background of the picture.

Cardinal Newman canonisation set to be celebrated across the Archdiocese T

Father Peter Conley pictured in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Maryvale.

John Henry Newman preached in the chapel and he had a view of it from his room.

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HE imminent canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman is a cause for great celebration across the Archdiocese.

He is the first English person to be declared a Saint by the Catholic Church since the 16th and 17th century Reformation martyrs were canonised in the late 20th century.

The canonisation of this religious figurehead who spent the second half of his life in Birmingham will take place during Mass, celebrated

by Pope Francis, in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City on Sunday, October 13.

One of the greatest religious leaders and scholars of his age, Newman had a key role in the Oxford Movement before leaving his priesthood in the Church of England to be received into the Catholic faith, going on to found the Oratorian movement in England.

After his reception into the Catholic Church in 1845 he was confirmed by Bishop Wiseman in the chapel of Oscott College in Birmingham. Wiseman offered Newman the use of the former seminary as his first Catholic home.

He renamed the building as Maryvale, living in a room overlooking the blessed sacrament and the Sacred Heart Chapel, while he discerned his vocation in the

Catholic Church. Moving for a time to Rome to prepare for his ordination, he became inspired to introduce an Oratory of St Philip Neri in England.

He established the first English Oratory, a community of secular priests following the life of the 16th century Italian saint, at Maryvale in 1847.

This Birmingham Oratory, which subsequently moved to the city centre and then to Edgbaston, was Newman’s home from 1852 until 1890, and the focus of his ministry.

Today the Oratory houses some of his relics, in the chapel established as the national shrine at the time of his beatification by Pope Benedict XVI at a Mass in Cofton Park, Birmingham, in 2010.

As part of the preparation for the canonisation a series of talks entitled “Meeting John Henry Newman” were given in Oscott Chapel, to enable seminarians and local people to understand Newman more fully.

Symposium organiser Judith Champ, Professor of Church History at Oscott College, used her own talk to highlight the importance of friendship in Newman’s life.

“Newman is a patron saint for our own times, understanding as he did the hardship of a world no less

hostile, indifferent or challenging about faith than our own, and full of people needing the love of God,” said Professor Champ.

“The friendships he nurtured were, in his own words, the mustard seed. Newman knew that friendship comes at a cost, but that it bears fruit for the whole of humanity.”

Newman was so loved by the people of Birmingham for his work as a pastoral priest that 15,000 of them lined the streets for his funeral procession.

Father Peter Conley, of the parishes of Christ the King, Kingstanding, and Our Lady of the Assumption, Maryvale, who is writing a book about Newman’s thought, said:

“He was a very compassionate person with a tremendous capacity for pastoral and academic work.

“Composing letters was also a major part of his approach – we can get to know him especially by reading them.”

As the eagerly-awaited canonisation approaches, the Oratories of England have created a series of resources including blogs, podcasts and videos accessed through a highly-informative website at newmancanonisation.com.

The website is supported by dedicated Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

A portrait of Cardinal Newman.

JOHN HENRY NEWMAN 1801– John Henry Newman was born at Old 1801 Broad Street, London.

1816– Newman underwent his first 1816 Conversion. Entered Trinity College, Oxford, as a commoner.

1817– First communion in the Church 1817 of England.

1820– Took his degree at Trinity College.

1820 1822– Decided to take Orders in the Church 1822 of England.

1824– Began his pastoral ministry as a curate 1824 in the parish of St Clement, Oxford.

1825– Ordained priest in the Church of 1825 England.

1828 Appointed Vicar of St Mary’s, the 1828Oxford University Church.

1833– Wrote poem later set to music as the 1833 hymn “Lead, kindly light”.

1839– First doubts about the position of the 1839 Anglican church.

1845– Received into the Catholic Church at 1845 Littlemore by Father Dominic Barberi.

Confirmed at Oscott.

1846– Settled at Old Oscott, renamed 1846 Maryvale. Set off to Rome to study.

1847– Pope approved Newman’s decision to 1847 start an Oratory in England. Ordained as a Catholic priest.

1848– The English Congregation of the 1848 Oratory set up at Maryvale.

1852– Oratory moved to new house in 1852 Edgbaston (after brief intermediary time in Alcester Street, Birmingham). Preached famous “Second Spring” sermon at Oscott.

1854– Installed as Rector of the Catholic 1854 University in Dublin.

1859– The Oratory School opened in 1859 Edgbaston.

1865– Newman’s poem “The Dream of 1865 Gerontius” published.

1879– Newman is made Cardinal in Rome.

1879 1890– Died of pneumonia and was buried in 1890 the Oratorian cemetery at Rednal near Birmingham.

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A Parable

for our time

His Holiness Pope John-Paul II used the parable of The Prodigal Son to explain the process of conversion and reconciliation, emphasising that God the Father is “rich in mercy” and always ready to forgive. Sophie Revel-Maton tells how she uses the parable in her work as a volunteer at the Kenelm Youth Trust.

Message of forgiveness helped me through the dark days of my life T

HE first time I heard the parable of the Prodigal Son was in an RE lesson when I was aged 15.

It initially sparked my interest due to the son’s behaviour. The younger of two sons asks his father for his inheritance, leaves home and wastes it all on extravagant living, then returns destitute asking to work for his father as a servant.

Instead his father welcomes him back, accepting his declaration that he has sinned and celebrating his return.

I suffered from depression when I was a teenager, got in with a bad

crowd and moved away from home. When I returned I was welcomed back with open arms.

The parable’s overall theme of forgiveness really stayed with me and I find it really useful in my work as a full-time volunteer for the Kenelm Youth Trust.

I use it quite frequently with Key Stage 3 (aged 11 to 14) young people in the meditations we do, and in encouraging them to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). I know some of them would be facing similar issues to those I went through at that age and, because this parable helped me through my dark days, I hope to share it with them to give them

hope in the knowledge that God loves them despite some of the mistakes they may make.

Recently the Kenelm Youth Trust held a World Youth Day at Home, giving young people the chance to share the experience of the global Catholic event held in Panama earlier this year. The weekend was an event for people at all different stages in their faith journey.

I think for many the opportunity to go to Confession really helped strengthen their relationship with God. We heard from a speaker about his dark past and how he changed his life by turning to God. His story was very similar to

that of the prodigal son. The parable has a great relevance for today. I was involved in some Synod question sessions with young people and one of the most common barriers to faith in young people appeared to be that they felt marginalised by the Church because they had different views.

Many young people who were involved in the Church when they were younger had lost touch with their faith. I always refer them back to this parable. Those who have strayed away from God haven’t been forgotten about and when they choose to accept God into their life He will celebrate and meet them with open arms.

Student Sophie Revel-Maton pictured at Alton Castle where she works as a volunteer for the Kenelm Youth Trust. Inset, Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son.

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Bishop Robert begins a new challenge in his Church life

Bishop Robert Byrne pictured at the Archbishop’s House, Birmingham.

A

FTER dedicating two thirds of his life to the Archdiocese of Birmingham, Bishop Robert Byrne admits it was an enormous surprise and also extremely humbling when he was asked to take up a new role as the Catholic Church’s senior figure in the North East of England.

His appointment as the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle in March began a new chapter in his life after a near 40-year association with the Church in the Midlands area.

As a young priest and Oratorian he had started life as a novice in Birmingham in the 1980s and a decade later, in 1990, was asked by the then Archbishop to set up a new Oratory in Oxford.

He was appointed Superior and remained there until 2014 when he was ordained a Bishop by the Pope and served as Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese before leaving for Newcastle-upon-Tyne earlier this year.

Three months on he returned to St Chad’s Cathedral for a Thanksgiving Mass, giving him time to rekindle his ties with his fellow priests, the people and the area.

“I was invited to attend by Archbishop Bernard and I was very keen to do so as it gave me the opportunity to celebrate Mass with the priests and people of the diocese,” he said. “It has also given me the opportunity to thank them for all they have given me over the years – nearly two thirds of my life have been in service in the Archdiocese and it was very much my home.

“When I was asked to become Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle I was enormously surprised as I had no connection with the area. But after a couple of months I already feel I am settling in. The people are marvellously kind and welcoming and that has helped a great deal.

“It is also a part of the country which is full of Christian history – Lindisfarne is here, and it is also associated with many of the saints such as St Bede, St Cuthbert and St Aidan. On top of that it has magnificent scenery and communities, so there is a great deal to be very fond of.

“I suppose the main difference between Hexham and Newcastle and Birmingham is the distance you have to travel. I am doing far more miles going from church to church

simply because outside of cities like Newcastle and Sunderland they are miles apart.”

When Bishop Robert was ordained, it was an extremely significant milestone for his order, as he became the first Oratorian to be appointed a bishop in England since 1874.

He said: “It is a huge privilege but at the same time humbling. That said it is a huge opportunity to preach the Gospel to support people and priests in our faith.

“I am also mindful as an Oratorian that I have been appointed to the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle in the year that Cardinal John Henry Newman is set to be made a saint.

“His canonisation will be a great blessing because of his fidelity to conscience and his love of the Church – please God he will be soon after be made a Doctor of the Church.”

In his new role, Bishop Robert is also looking to help the Church face its main challenges. He said: “I think the fall in numbers of both people attending church and the decline in priests is something we have to address.

“We have to face a challenge of evangelisation – bringing people back to the Church and addressing the many different reasons why they may have left in

“

It is a huge privilege but at the same time humbling. That said it is a huge opportunity to preach the Gospel to support people and priests in our faith.

Bishop Robert Byrne

”

the first place. We need to adapt the life of the Diocese to meet the present needs of the community. My role in this as a Bishop is to be a leader. As a leader it will be my role to be there to care for everyone from the priests to the rest of the community.”

Bishop Robert Byrne celebrates the Thanksgiving Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral.

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Several top-level appointments made across the Archdiocese S

EVERAL key appointments have been made to help focus on the administration and spiritual organisation of the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Father Stephen Wright will become the Archdiocese’s Vicar General from September. Father Wright, who is currently the parish priest at St Mary and St Modwen in Burton, takes over the role from Monsignor Timothy Menezes.

Monsignor Menezes, who is the current Vicar General and Acting Dean of St Chad’s Cathedral, will become the permanent Dean of St Chad’s in September.

In addition, two new Trustees have been appointed to the Board of Trustees.

Jacqui Francis runs her own recruitment services consultancy called AdinaMay. She is also a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission recruitments panels and she serves on the Bar Standards Board, Independent Appointments Panel.

She is also a Citizen Member of the

Birmingham City Council Independent Remuneration Panel. She is joined by Professor Deidre Kelly, who is the Founding Director of the Liver Unit at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Professor of Paediatric Hepatology at University of Birmingham.

She has extensive Board and Charity Trustee experience as an executive and a non-executive in healthcare, professional, voluntary and civic settings.

Also effective from September: Canon David Evans has been appointed as Episcopal Vicar with responsibility for the Pastoral Area of Birmingham and Worcestershire.

Canon David will continue to be Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Rednal, with support.

Father Gary Buckby will be the Episcopal Vicar for Religious. Father Gary will continue to be Parish Priest of St Peter’s, Bartley Green and Our Lady and St Rose of Lima, Weoley Castle, with support.

Jacqui Francis.

Father Stephen Wright.

Prof. Deidre Kelly.

New editorial board set up

Monsignor Timothy Menezes.

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AN editorial board has been set up to oversee the Diocesan magazine The Sower. Father Michael Dolman, the Archdiocese Vocations Director, is the chair of

the committee, which includes Diocesan Communications Officers Caroline Bletso and Faye Fawcett as well as a representative from Smith Davis Media.

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Volunteer Co-ordinator Phil Mayland with the Live Simply Award the parish of Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme, received from CAFOD. Right, the parish’s Fairtrade certificate.

Campaign calls for Catholics to reduce their carbon footprint A

new climate change campaign being run by CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, is being supported in parishes and schools across the Archdiocese.

Entitled “Our Common Home” the campaign calls for Catholics to lead the way by taking responsibility for reducing their carbon footprint, and by contacting their MPs to call for national action.

A mass lobby of Parliament took place on June 26 to hold politicians to account and urge them to go further and faster with emissions cuts so that greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced to net zero by 2045.

Leading the way in North Staffordshire is CAFOD campaign Volunteer Co-ordinator Phil Mayland, who is supporting CAFOD campaigners to organise petitions in their parishes backing the campaign. Phil’s parish of Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme, has received a Live Simply Award from the

“

The Church has a big role in the efforts to combat climate change, one of the main problems facing mankind.

Phil Mayland

”

Catholic agency. The accolade recognises parishioners’ ongoing efforts to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the poor, for example by reducing the amount of meat they consume, growing their own food, reducing the amount of plastic they use and walking wherever they can.

Living Simply is a key element of CAFOD’s climate change initiative which asks people to

examine ways in which they can contribute personally.

“The Church has a big role in the efforts to combat climate change, one of the main problems facing mankind,” said Phil, who is also a member of the Birmingham Justice and Peace Commission.

“We need to look at ourselves and we are proud to be recognised as a Live Simply parish.

“In his encyclical Laudato Si’ Pope Francis called for an ecological conversion and as a response the Justice and Peace Commission has produced a policy for the Archdiocese outlining the ways in which we can change.”

Masses are being held in a number of parishes to “celebrate creation,” supporting the Our Common Home campaign message that climate change destroys creation, “God’s precious gift”.

■ For further information go to cafod.org.uk.

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FOUR

of a kind

In the second of a new series of regular features, The Sower asks the same four questions of four people carrying out similar service in the Archdiocese.

Sister Ingrid Swinnen, originally from Belgium, is a member of The Spiritual Family The Work community, based in Littlemore, Oxford.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a religious sister?

To accompany people in their daily life of faith, to walk with them in times of struggle, to be able to help them grow in faith, to share God’s love with them. Often I am moved and amazed when people express happiness and gratitude when you help them, even only listen to them.

It amazes me especially because I do not feel worthy. It humbles me because I know it is beyond myself. I am an instrument in God’s hands. I am grateful that he called me to be a religious sister.

What do you do to serve and what related activities are you involved in?

My first service for the Church and my religious community is as local superior. This involves administrative and household tasks and it means especially being there for my sisters as a spiritual mother, listening and caring, accompanying and guiding them in their vocation. A further service here in

Littlemore is being the custodians of Newman’s College. This brings us in contact with many visitors from all over the world.

I am also actively involved in the parish as lector, catechist and with other tasks. But the most important service of all is the service of prayer and of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

What was your route to becoming a religious sister?

Becoming a religious sister was never in my thoughts as a young person. I only saw it as a possible choice of life after two very close friends decided to pursue a religious life. I wanted to find a good partner with whom I could share my faith and found a large family.

The Lord answered my prayers but in a way I did not expect: I found a faithful partner in Jesus himself as my bridegroom. I have belonged to a large (religious) family for over 30 years now. I am very happy and never regretted it.

Sister Ingrid Swinnen.

What do you do to relax?

I very much like nature and enjoy going for walks, riding the bike or even sitting by the River Thames, observing the water and the wildlife on it. I also do some gardening and enjoy reading or watching a film from time to time.

Sister Olivia Nakayenze, a member of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelising Sisters of Mary based in Coventry.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a religious sister?

What was your route to becoming a religious sister?

As a religious sister living out my consecrated life happily and positively with all its challenges, preaching the good news of the Risen Lord by witnessing God’s love through my life, is very rewarding.

I have had opportunities of reaching out to people of all ages, races, political views and ideologies, in different kinds of life situations in my apostolic activities.

I strongly believe the words of the Lord, “You did not choose me, no, I chose you.” From happy memories of my mother and my childhood, my route to becoming a sister must have begun as early as when I was in Sunday school. I would play Catechist by repeating what was taught and would sing all the songs with other kids who came to our home to play.

When I was in primary school year five a religious sister visited our school and talked about the different vocations in the Church. I started my discernment of my vocation and after finishing school, I joined the Sisters and made my vows at the age of 22. Since then, I have served as a missionary in different countries.

What do you do to serve and what related activities are you involved in?

Sister Olivia Nakayenze.

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Our Mission is the Evangelisation of the whole person through Pastoral (Catechetical Instructions), Healing Ministry, Social Ministry and Teaching Ministry.

I am involved in several areas such as marriage programmes, sacramental preparation for children in non-Catholic schools and preparation of parents for baptism of infants.

In my Eucharistic ministry in the Church, I serve our housebound parishioners and those in nursing homes and offer pastoral family visitations and liaise with schools.

What do you do to relax?

Sometimes I join the senior parishioners for tea and chat on Tuesdays. On TV, I enjoy watching Songs of Praise and animal programmes, reading, gardening and recreation with my community members. I joined the group Godiva Sisters, part of Coventry Women’s Voices. Activities also include drawing and colouring, painting and praying.

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Sister Bridie Stephens is a member of the Sisters of Mercy congregation and is based at Coolock House, The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a religious sister?

What was your route to becoming a religious sister?

It is a calling. My particular call was to the Sisters of Mercy congregation and if you answer that call, as I did, you get a great peace from doing so.

By helping all other people you help yourself.

As someone from a background in the teaching profession I have a general desire to help and educate people.

I was brought up in Ireland and at around the age of 11 or 12 I first got the calling to be something special for God. I went to school to the Sisters of Mercy and after completing my Leaving Certificate I travelled over to the UK to begin my service here.

After spending some time at a religious sisters training centre in Kent I went on to teach at St Joseph’s Primary School in Bermondsey in London and remained there for more than two decades. I later moved on to teach at a secondary school and then went to study at the University of California Berkeley, where I completed a Masters in Theological Studies. After returning to the UK I spent around five years in Maryport in Cumbria before I was appointed to Coolock.

What do you do to serve and what related activities are you involved in?

I was appointed to Coolock along with Sister Betty Larkin in 2005. I work closely in setting up and supporting Mercy Associate Groups and offer provision for day and residential retreats and outreach support. We help a variety of people who come to our door. This may be spiritual sustenance and other more practical support.

They could be people from another country looking for advice on benefits or someone from the UK who has fallen on hard times.

We are very creative in the way we support people and have also created a spiritual garden at the House in which people can find solace and time to reflect.

Sister Frances Woolman.

What do you do to relax?

I love walking, particularly in the Lake District. I also very much like to get involved in the garden at Coolock and tapping into my creative side to develop

Sister Bridie Stephens.

new features here along with Sister Betty.

I also like to relax with the community next door (St Bernard’s Convent of Mercy).

We enjoy singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. We create quite an atmosphere, I can tell you.

Sister Frances Woolman is a Spiritual Director and member of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, based in Coventry.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a religious sister?

My life as a religious sister is essentially a life of prayer and relationship with Christ. My ministry flows from this to others, as I share that relationship with them. I particularly value the trust that people put in me as a religious sister, in sharing their struggles, their needs and their deepest desires. The simplicity of my lifestyle and ministry takes away the need to compete with others.

For me, there is deep happiness in being a Franciscan – living the Gospel according to the vision of St Francis of Assisi.

What do you do to serve and what related activities are you involved in?

Because we are Franciscans, the ministry of our congregation is to serve where the need is greatest. This gives me great freedom to use my gifts in situations where they can be genuinely useful and of service to other people.

As a psychotherapist, I offer my professional services to people who could not otherwise afford therapy. I also serve my parish as Administrator and coordinate programmes for volunteers so that together we can help people who find themselves in need. Many people are searching to grow into a deeper relationship with Christ. As a Spiritual Director, I find it is a real privilege to accompany

some of them on their journey.

What was your route to becoming a religious sister?

Growing up, Christ was very real and imminent to me. As I developed in my faith, I felt that I wanted to share it with others and the desire to become a missionary grew gradually. Being called Frances led me to read about St Francis of Assisi and I was so impressed with how he lived his life.

As a teenager, of course, I began to find boys very attractive but in my more reflective moments I knew that no other love would satisfy me as much as Christ’s love for me.

These things made me look for a Franciscan Missionary Congregation and I chose to become a Franciscan Missionary of the Divine Motherhood.

For many years, I lived and worked as a missionary in Zimbabwe, first in health care as a radiographer and then running a programme for people with HIV and those orphaned by the sickness.

What do you do to relax?

I love the great outdoors. Gardening, and especially growing our own fruit and vegetables, is something which gives me many hours of great pleasure. Walking and bird watching are huge sources of enjoyment. I also like articles about creation and science and I also like reading fiction – especially a good ‘whodunnit’!

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What’s On A packed programme of events is taking place this autumn, please get involved.

AN early date for the diary is the Archdiocese’s annual Harvington Pilgrimage that takes place on Sunday, September 1. It will include a 3pm Mass for the English Martyrs in the gardens of the historic Elizabethan manor house and hall, situated near Kidderminster in Worcestershire.

On the day of the event, the hall is open to pilgrims only and tours will be available from 11.30am. The event is being organised by St Mary’s Parish.

For further information contact the parish directly on 01562 777319. People attending are reminded to bring a chair with them.

THE Pope John II Awards ceremony will go ahead this October to celebrate commitment to faith by young people within the Church. It will take place at the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham.

The Pope John Paul II Award is a faith achievement award for young people between the age of 16 and 18.

It is non-competitive, flexible and voluntary and enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church.

The Award ceremony will see gold, silver and bronze-level awards handed out to scheme participants. So far more than 20,000 young people in 23 dioceses throughout the UK and Ireland have successfully completed the Award.

For more details visit kenelmyouthtrust.org.uk/jpiiaward

THE Annual Justice and Peace Assembly takes place on Saturday, October 12 to coincide with Pope Francis declaring October as Extraordinary Missionary Month (see page six). The event has been organised by the Justice and Peace Commission for the Archdiocese and the Columban Missionaries. Attendees will have the chance to reflect on their experiences and celebrate putting in to action the call to mission for justice, peace and care for creation.

The event takes place at St Peter’s Catholic Secondary School in Solihull between 10am to 5pm. To book a place email bham.jandp@gmail.com

A family outside their home in Nagwa.

Above, new school bags funded by Droitwich parish.

Right, pupils take part in evening study at the school in Nagwa.

● For more details about upcoming events visit the Archdiocese’s website: birminghamdiocese.org.uk/Pages/Events/ Category/events

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Women shop for vegetables for their families.

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Organiser of the Ashray Charitable Trust John Pilley and his wife Gina with the display board of the work they do during their visits to India and with flowers made for them by pupils at the Ashray School.

Rural parish reaches out to help children in slum district of India A

rural parish is sending more than £10,000 a year to provide free education and uniforms for disadvantaged children at a school in India.

The Ashray Project at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Droitwich is being supported by a growing number of parishioners keen to help the 90 primary pupils in the slum district of Nagwa, Varanasi.

The initiative, set up as a Millennium Project and run by the Justice and Peace Group, is also funding after-school classes for children, literacy classes for parents and moral support in the community’s struggle for the basics of life. The youngsters, as members of the once-untouchable “chamar” class, would not have easy access to state education.

“The living conditions in the slum are

similar to us living in our garage without water, light or sanitation,” said parishioner John Pilley, who together with his wife Gina responded to the call by the Ashray Project for volunteers to visit the community.

“There is 75 per cent adult illiteracy, 12 per cent still cook on cow dung fires and those working have the humblest of jobs rowing boats, selling vegetables or mending bicycles.”

Following their initial visit to Varanasi, where they spent two weeks painting the school clinic, John and Gina were asked to take the lead on fundraising.

Gina’s background in accounts helped her set up bookkeeping systems in Varanasi and ensures a close eye can be kept on funding from the UK. “On three of our five visits we have taken our daughters with us,” said Gina.

“Catherine now runs a Facebook page to widen awareness and she is in regular contact with Rakesh, the leading governor, as well as many of the teachers. Optometrist Elizabeth tested the eyes of all the children to check for any defects.”

John added: “Three of the students supported through higher education have come back to Ashray as kindergarten teachers.

For such a community that is tremendous progress.”

Anyone wishing to help the project or to find out more should email ashraydroitwich@gmail.com Further information can be found on the website run by the Varanasi governors at www.ashray.org and the project is on social media at Facebook.com/ashraydroitwich Summer 2019 The Sower

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Permanent Deacon role is fulfilment of lifelong calling to

PATH OF

GOD “ Permanent Deacon Keith Millage at Christ the King Church in Coventry.

F

OR Keith Millage, his role as a Permanent Deacon is the fulfilment of a vocation long in the making.

His first experience of being called happened at the age of 12 when he first became attracted to the “path to God”.

It was not until many years later that he experienced a divine intervention that left him in no doubt that he should pursue his journey towards ordination.

Keith, aged 64, a Clerk of Works in the construction industry, is Deacon at the Church of Christ the King in Coventry.

He believes entering the diaconate in 2016 has “drastically” changed his life for the better and says his vocation, the seeds of which were sown long ago, is ever-growing.

“I was baptised in the Church of England and I remember being in a church service when I was aged 12 and thinking the path to God would be a good way to go,” he said.

“When I prayed to the Lord asking him to guide me, my first calling was for him to say there is a Ministry, but it’s too early.”

Years later, after a time that Deacon Keith describes as his “wilderness years, in no-man’s land,” he got married to Janette who was a Catholic and they decided to bring up their children in the Catholic faith at the Church of Christ the King.

On one occasion, taking his two youngsters to pray the Stations of the Cross one Sunday he was overcome with the knowledge of Christ’s suffering. “I thought – this is a man

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who gave everything so freely for us.”

Three years after that his journey towards the Catholic faith was confirmed by an extraordinary event in the same church.

“I was walking into the church one Christmas morning when it was as if somebody had tapped me on the shoulder and said to me – now is the beginning of the greatest journey you will ever go on. I am still on that journey today.”

After being brought into the Church on Trinity Sunday, 1997, Keith found that he was being “pushed and guided” by the Lord to become a Deacon – and in due course he was accepted for a formation programme at Oscott College.

By entering the diaconate Keith has found the perfect place for his gifts as a “pastoral person” who is good with people.

His multi-faceted duties include baptisms and funerals, hospital and school visits and pastoral work.

“I find that people come and talk to me because I am on their level,” he said. “Every morning I pray and ask the Lord – where do you need me to go today?

“For me, going out to give communion to the sick and visit people in hospital is a very important part of the ministry,” he said.

“Our Lord always guides me and makes the time for me to go about my work.”

Father Harry Curtis, the Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate, said: “Everyone

I was walking into the church one Christmas morning when it was as if somebody had tapped me on the shoulder and said to me – now is the beginning of the greatest journey you will ever go on. I am still on that journey today.

”

Permanent Deacon Keith Millage has a vocation, a calling from God, and the call to be a Deacon is a wonderful one.

“The word deacon comes from the Greek word for a servant, and Deacons are ordained to the ministry of service, which from the early days of the Church has been characteristically associated with service of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised of society.

“They can proclaim the Gospel, preach, assist at Mass, administer the sacrament of Baptism, and officiate at weddings and funerals.

“A deacon seeks to be a man of prayer, humility, kindness, and generosity, trying to conform himself to Jesus’ teaching, ‘Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Mark 10:43-45)” ■ If you would like to know more about being a Deacon, please contact Father Harry via email at sjtwcov@gmail.com or by phone on 02476 419 111.

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Extra protection for people who blow the whistle on malpractice E

MPLOYEES, volunteers and postholders in the Archdiocese are able to raise any concerns they might have about alleged fraud, wrongdoing or misconduct within their parish through the revised Whistleblowing Policy.

The Archdiocese is committed to the highest standards of honesty and integrity – and the message is going out that all allegations of wrongdoing will be taken seriously.

In a move to strengthen the Whistleblowing Policy, the Archdiocese is now working with an independent charity, Protect, who will provide an additional “safety valve” to support whistleblowers where necessary.

Protect, which runs a confidential advice line, has been providing free legal advice and has been supporting whistleblowers for more than 25 years.

Legislation has been in place since the 1998 Public Interest Disclosure Act affording individuals protection if they flag up alleged infringements in areas such as fraud, safeguarding issues, health and safety risks, damage to the environment, miscarriages of justice or criminal offences.

The revised policy of the Archdiocese has been written in the context of the act.

Employees, volunteers or postholders are encouraged to raise their concerns in writing, setting out the background and history of their concerns and indicating their reasons for them.

The policy is now available on the website of the Archdiocese where it can be reached by clicking on

“About Us” and then “Policies”. All matters will be treated confidentially and the Diocesan Trust will take measures to protect the individual from harassment, victimisation or bullying.

Investigations will be undertaken by the Human Resources and Communications Director, the Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator or by an independent investigator.

“If an individual feels there has been an example of malpractice and they feel it needs to be investigated they can bring the issue to my attention in the first instance,” said Gerry Dryden, Human Resources and Communications Director who is the principal disclosure officer.

“Even if the allegation is not proven, provided it has been made in good faith no further action will be taken against the individual – they have nothing to fear.

“If an individual is unhappy when we have carried out the investigation and found no substance in it, or if they feel that in bringing the issue to my attention we would brush it under the carpet, then they have the option of contacting Protect who will help manage their concerns.”

Gerry can be contacted via email at gerry.dryden@rc-birmingham.org. If he is absent or the issue relates to him contact should be made with Chief Operating Officer David Brooks at david.brooks@rc-birmingham.org, or with a relevant line manager who, in the majority of cases, will be the parish priest.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS...

Letters page in next issue FROM next issue, The Sower will feature a letters page – and readers are being encouraged to contribute.

You are asked to put your thoughts down on paper or type them up on an email regarding a variety of topics.

Letters could reflect on, or respond to, articles that have appeared in The Sower or on topical matters affecting the Archdiocese or the wider Church. A selection of letters received will be published on the page, which will feature for the first time in the Advent issue, which is due out in November 2019.

Please send letters, including your name, address and contact number before Friday, September 27 to: The Sower, Communications Team, Cathedral House, St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham B4 6EX. Alternatively, email them to communications@rcbirmingham.org

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For editorial enquiries about The Sower, please contact our publisher on 01782 829850 or email thesower@smith-davis.co.uk – the next issue is in the autumn.

The Sower is produced in conjunction with the Archdiocese Communications Team.

Enjoying a musical session at Drovers House Care Home in Rugby are, front row left to right, volunteer Meryl Lovatt, resident Edith Freeman, volunteer Carol Wells on piano, resident Kay Grant, and volunteer Angela Crisp on guitar. Back row left to right are volunteers Angela Youngman-Stewart and Barbara Cunningham and Lead Chaplain Lindsay Pelloquin.

Group is in tune with spiritual needs of care home residents A

N ecumenical group of Christians are working together to provide spiritual care to residential care home communities.

The Gift of Years Rugby is a team of chaplains and volunteers from the local churches who serve in residential care homes within the Rugby Deanery. This initiative, which has been up and running for three years, has been commissioned by the Churches Together in Rugby group known as Rugby Revive. It is one of a number of ecumenical projects supporting vulnerable and marginalised people in the local area.

It is jointly led by a Catholic and Methodist partnership and is affiliated to a national network of chaplains called Anna Chaplaincy, who are all working in ecumenical, community based ministry to older people – annachaplaincy.org.uk The vision of The Gift of Years Rugby is eventually to have a volunteer chaplain assisted by small teams of volunteers from the churches in all 25 care homes in the Rugby area.

Currently they are serving in nine care homes, providing for the pastoral and spiritual needs of residents and being a supportive presence to relatives and staff.

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All the chaplains and volunteers have undergone a training course to prepare them to work with people with disabilities and dementia in a care home setting.

Their work includes leading regular services of worship and pastoral visiting. They also offer a befriending service, especially for people who have few or no visitors. In homes where there is very little stimulation they do some activities and group work.

Musical people on the team lead singing groups which are a particularly good way of engaging with people with dementia.

The team work with local clergy to keep people connected with their own faith communities and to ensure that residents’ religious and sacramental needs are met.

Lead Chaplain Lindsay Pelloquin said: “Our approach is somewhat counter cultural to our modern society’s perspective which has come to think of older people as a burden on society and on the NHS – whereas, as our name suggests, we view older people as a gift. They are loved by God and precious to him.

“Residents living in care homes have been given the gift of long life and we believe that they still have much to give and to share, as well as wisdom to pass on. We want to accompany them, to help them to keep

growing in faith and to live this last stage of life well.

“Care home managers have put their trust in us and allow us the privilege of freely coming in and out of the care homes. They believe that our service complements the work they are doing and helps them to meet the Care Quality Commission’s requirements regarding meeting the spiritual needs of residents.

“Residents welcome us with open arms and love to see us. Staff report to us that they see the positive effects of our presence on the residents and their behaviour long after we have gone. Moving a loved one into residential care can often be a difficult and stressful time, and relatives appreciate having a listening ear and support at that time and when their loved one is at the end of life.

“The important thing is that we are there for everyone in care homes, helping to build supportive and stimulating communities.”

For more information see the website: thegiftofyearsrugby.com and to find out more about volunteering with The Gift of Years Rugby, or setting up a similar scheme in another parish, contact Lindsay on 07842 993847 or email giftofyearsrugby@outlook.com.