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Issue 92MAY 2012

ARCHDIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL

FatherJimmy1918-2012

FatherJimmy 1918-2012

Goldenanniversaryfor Jospice

Goldenanniversaryfor Jospice

£1

CHRISTTHE LIGHTOF THEWORLD

CHRISTTHE LIGHTOF THEWORLD

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The Cry of the DeerMeditations on

St. Patrick’s ‘Lorica’(or Breastplate)

Led by Fr John Seddon

7th JulyStarts 10am – concludes with Mass at 4pm

Sandymount House of Prayer

Healing Mass

There is a healing Mass every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Sandymount House of Prayer16 Burbo Bank Road Crosby

7.30pm to 9.00pm

Tuesday 10th April • Tuesday 8th May Tuesday 5th June • Tuesday 10th July

Tuesday 11th September • Tuesday 9th OctoberTuesday 13th November • Tuesday 11th December

All are most welcome

Sandymount House of Prayer NUGENT CAREMERSEYSIDE

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Nugent Care is committed to the safeguarding ofvulnerable adults, young people and children

An Equal Opportunities Employer

p01-16:covers 27/04/2012 16:12

WelcomeIn this issue we pay tribute to Canon James Collins, ‘FatherJimmy’ who died on Thursday 19 April at the age of 94. Hewas known locally, nationally and internationally during alifetime which spanned most of the twentieth century. Aprolific author and writer he was a columnist with the ‘CatholicPictorial’ for many years his words bringing comfort and healing tomany readers. As Parish Priest of St Joseph the Worker in Kirkbyfor thirty years his ministry is legendary: walking alongside those sooften in need, defending them and always standing up for theirrights.

A long retirement offered him new opportunities as he helped tofound the Northern Catholic Conference, now firmly establishedthanks to his efforts as part of the team. His Healing Ministrycontinued with services and Masses across the archdiocese andbeyond. Just five weeks before his death he rang me to talk aboutboth, his enthusiasm for the Conference and for the Healing Massas bright and strong as ever. There was the personal, privateministry too: the conversations, the listening and the praying aspeople, friends and strangers alike, sought his help and support.

Father Jimmy: Thank You.

Contents

4 Main FeatureGolden anniversary for JospiceGod’s loving touch

8 NewsFrom around the Archdiocese

14 SpotlightInvocation 2012: time for discernment

15 Sunday ReflectionsLiturgy and Life

16 What’s OnWhats happening in the Archdiocese

18 ProfileAmy ArmstrongOut of Africa

18 Animate Youth MinistryReflections on a memorable Easter

20 Justice and PeaceLooking for the meaning of Justice and peace

25 Cathedral RecordMetropolitan Cathedral Girls’ Choir

26 Pic ExtrasMums the wordNews from the KSC

28 Pic LifeWhy the truth comes in shades of grey

29 Join InFamily FunMore Mullarkey

contents

From the Archbishop’s deskIt was Christmas Eve about twenty years ago. I was visitingSaint Anne’s Hospice, Little Hulton, Manchester as I didevery Christmas Eve and where I always allowed myself myfist mince pie. The medicine trolley was on its way round. I noted in a rack a fine selection of the best beverages Icould name. I drew them to the attention of the HospiceDoctor who explained: ‘Some of the medicines do not taste very niceand a little drop of something can help them go down, andsometimes it’s a little drop of something that does most good.’ Iguessed, because of my long involvement in Saint Francis HouseHospice for children, what would be said in reply to my question: ‘Canyou mix such beverages and medication?’ I was firmly and properly told: ‘This is not a place to prolong life atany cost: it is to enable people to live their life to the full to the endand to die their death.’ Jospice is such a yes to life among us. I findI need to invent a word to describe the understanding of death inwhose light we live: our longing is that none shall be ‘deaded,’ butthat they shall die their own death. And that is the meaning of thesacrament of the dying: Viaticum: the food so that our final journeyshall be one we freely accept, embrace, and through and with and inOur Lord accomplish. We shall even share in his claim: ‘No onetakes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.’

Editor Peter HeneghanEditorial Catholic Pictorial Magazine Liverpool ArchdiocesanCentre for Evangelisation, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AATel: 0151 522 1007 Email: [email protected] feature and Profile - Tom MurphyAdvertisingAndrew Rogers 0151 709 7567Publisher36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS

Copy deadline June issue11 May 2012

CPMM Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means orstored in any information storage or retrieval system without thepublishers written permission. Although every effort is made toensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, CatholicPictorial Ltd. can accept no responsibility for the veracity of theclaims made by advertisers.

3Catholic Pictorial

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Goldenanniversaryfor JospiceFifty years of hospice care with God’s ‘loving touch’

By Ann Todd

Fifty years ago, the Crosby-bornFather Francis O’Leary wasworking in the Rawalpindi

diocese in Pakistan when he found anold lady dying alone. It proved ahistory-making experience, bringinginto being a Catholic hospice networkthat has spread throughout the world.

The dying woman, Mrs Jacob, wastaken to a little mud hut and cared forby a group of people who later formedthemselves into an organisation knownas St Joseph’s Hospice Association.

She had a remarkable death andkissed the crucifix for a long timebefore dying, inspiring her willinghelpers to collect funds for thethousands of other people similarlyabandoned to die.

The little mud hut was just thebeginning, as today JospiceInternational , which cares for theterminally ill and chronically sick,celebrates its 50th anniversary withthe knowledge that its work is nowgoing on across the world, inPakistan, India, Colombia, Peru,Ecuador, Honduras, Brazil, and here inEngland.

Jospice International, with FrO’Leary serving for many years as itsdirector, has extended a helping handto so many people weighed down bysuffering of one kind or another,including the poor, incurably sick andthose to whom hospital treatment wasnot available.

Fr O’Leary, a Mill Hill missionarypriest, who entered the juniorseminary at Freshfield at 11, hadgreat faith in St Joseph and wouldalways tell people: “Pray to St Joseph.Leave it to him to sort out theproblem.”

An energetic, charismatic priest whooften worked an 18-hour day, he wason a visit home to England in 1972when he realised there was a need forhospices here too. So he set aboutestablishing one, scraping together themoney to buy a house at Thorntonnear his Crosby bir thplace.

This became the headquarters forJospice and since opening on 19March 1974 – the Feast of St Joseph– thousands of people fromMerseyside and the surrounding regionhave been cared for in that special,loving way that Fr O’Leary alwayswanted: “to die with dignity”.

He was convinced of the importanceof the people in his hospices beingable to enjoy the beauty of nature.Those able to were encouraged to takepart in music-making and dance. Healso staged a live crib on the lawn atChristmas, which included animals –he was even known to scour thecountryside looking for lambs!

Fr O’Leary, who died at his ownhospice in 2000, left behind anamazing legacy and a determination byJospice supporters to carry on hiswork. The charity survived on thebreadline for many years but somehowmanaged to keep going, as director offundraising Pat Murphy explained.

“When shortly after Father’s deathI was told by three differentconsultants that Jospice would notsurvive, I thought, ‘Well, let’s godown with the sinking ship’. MaybeI have some of that faith FrO’Leary had, but we are still hereand thriving today.”

Jospice has been part of Pat’slife since she became a volunteerafter hearing Fr O’Leary give a talkat her school. “There werecollection boxes all over the house.The family helped me count themoney. I got a job in banking butcarried on as a volunteer until Icame to work for Jospice 18 yearsago. It was Fr O’Leary who inspiredme – a remarkable man.”

Fundraising is vital for Jospice,which is only partially funded bythe NHS. More than £2.5m a yearis needed to ensure its work athome and abroad can continue.The Golden Jubilee Appeal Fundlaunched in 2010 raised £1m thatwent towards developing an under-used conference centre inThornton to provide four extrabeds, important when up to 50patients a year are cared for. PatMurphy added: “We depend onvoluntary donations to survive. It’ssad that end-of-life care has to bepaid for by local volunteerscollecting money outsidesupermarkets, but that is thereality. The alternative to this carewould be spending the last fewdays in an inappropriately busyhospital ward.”

Loyal supporters includewonderful people like FrancesFranks, a Catholic, and her Jewishhusband Don, who between themhave raised £270,000 in 10 years.

Catholic Pictorial4

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feature

Don, who founded a successfulgreeting card business, often jokes:“Who’d have thought a Jew like mewould raise money for Catholics!”

Pat said: “His generosity isunbelievable. His belief is that he hasdone well in life and he wants to sharethe joy of that with others.

“People usually hear about hospicecare for the first time when someone inthe family is terminally ill, as theynever think it will hit them,” shecontinued. “Then they discover what awonderful, peaceful and joyful place itis. I remember one new patient sayingafter just one hour, ‘I know you aregoing to really look after me here’. Wealso have patients who don’t have anyfamily at all, and Jospice becomestheir family for the final days of theirlife.”

The work of Jospice overseasincludes five clinics in Peru, includingone on a river boat, and two more inHonduras. Jospice also supports an

‘Pray to St Joseph.Leave it to him to

sort out theproblem’

5Catholic Pictorial

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orphanage for 80 children inGuatemala City. Pat returnedrecently from a visit to Jospiceshanty town clinics in Guayaquil,Ecuador’s largest city. “You realisewe have so much and these peoplehave absolutely nothing. Kids at aJospice centre, where they arelooked after while their parents areat work, were drinking vitamindrinks from a tin cup. That wasprobably the only food they hadeaten all day. Their parents work fora minimum wage of £180 a month,but the price of food is not muchcheaper than here.”

Jospice has come a long wayfrom its humble beginnings. Thatfirst patient, Mrs Jacobs, had beenabandoned by her family aftersuffering multiple strokes. FrO’Leary arranged for her to betaken to an outhouse – the mudhut – in a church compound, whereshe was looked after by nursingnuns until her death.

The date she arrived was 19November 1962. It was the feast ofSt Elizabeth, Patroness of Nurses.

On that date Jospice was founded.Fr O’Leary’s cousin, the MostReverend Vincent Nichols,Archbishop of Westminster, is nowpresident of Jospice International.He said: “I am delighted tocongratulate Jospice on its GoldenJubilee. The history and theheritage of Jospice is so rich. It isright to celebrate it. I rememberwell Father Francis O’Leary’sdeparture as a missionary priestfor Pakistan and hearing about hiscaring for the dying lady to whomhe gave shelter and comfort.

“The inspiration of Jospice mustalways be centred on the love ofChrist for all people, a love whichwe try to reflect in so many ways.May Jospice prosper in all the yearsto come.”

Lord Alton, vice president, addedhis own tribute: “Father O’Leary’slasting achievement in establishingJospice is the deep appreciationfelt by the countless families whohave experienced the loving touchof this wonderful hospice.”

feature

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If you’ve got any news from your parish that you’d like featurede-mail us with the details at: [email protected]

News diaryCatenians Public Speaking

Liturgy is thriving in the parish of St Philomena,Liverpool, with a group of over thirty altar servers andeven a waiting list for new members.‘They’ve become something of a youth group, and takepart in social activities and fundraising,’ said parishpriest, Father Kevin McLoughlin. ‘But it’s SisterKathleen Buckley and some of the mums who are theones most responsible for the success of the altarservers. Visitors always comment on how good theyare and how well they do their job. We’re all very proudof them and the wonderful example they set.’As a result of the growth of the group in the parish, HolyName, Fazakerley has seen more than a trebling in thenumber of their altar servers from four to thirteen.‘We’re hoping that we can develop a Youth teambetween the two churches,’ said Father Kevin.

Liturgy thrives at St Philomena’s

Catenian Province 4 held their annualPublic Speaking Competition in thelecture theatre of Liverpool Hope

University. Nine colleges wererepresented and the eventual winnerwas Natasha Ward from Chester

Catholic High School whose chosentopic was ‘Phone hacking: an invasionof privacy?’Liverpool Hope University, sponsors ofthe competition for four years wereunable to sponsor this year'scompetition and thanks to thegenerosity of Brothers Paul McCarthyand Charles Boulton of Liverpool 164Circle, their firm EAD Solicitors,agreed to become main sponsors. St. Helens Circle agreed to sponsorthe college prize of £250 and GavinBaldry of Eccleston Electrical Servicesdonated £100 towards the printing ofthe programme.The adjudicators for the evening wereBrother Paul McCarthy, BrotherDirector Peter Rogers, Dr Janet Nevin,Principal, Ashton under Lyne 6th formCollege and Dr Bridget Maher, ClinicalDirector of Acute Medicine, UniversityHospital Aintree. There was an audience of 185enthralled by the erudition,presentation and confidence of theyoung people. Brother Paul Mainonthe National Public Speaking co-ordinator for the Association alsoattended.

Left: John Murray the Head ofChester Catholic High School whoreceived the winning College chequeof £250, the winner Natasha Wardand Brother Provincial PresidentSteve Cooper.

Catholic Pictorial8

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news diary

St. Francis Xavier church was the setting for a special flower festival tocommemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster. Thecommemoration included a short concert by the West Everton Mini-StringsOctet, as well as talks from David Knight, Archivist of Stonyhurst College on ‘TheReasons the Disaster Happened’: whilst another talk by Marshall Morris of theBritish and Irish Titanic Societies addressed the ‘Short Life of the Titanic’.The festival also included twelve pictures taken by Father Francis Browne, whotravelled with the ship for a short time. Father Browne’s uncle had bought him aticket for the maiden voyage. However, Father Francis’s own Jesuit Superiorordered him to leave the ship once it reached County Cork. The photos arewidely regarded as the last known photographic record of the doomed vessel.

SFX Flowers for the Titanic

The children of Nazareth House tookpart an Easter Egg Hunt, as NugentCare held an Open Day to promotethe good work of the Crosby Unit.Parents, carers and local dignitarieswere joined by some of theremarkable people who regularly goto extraordinary lengths to raisefunds for Nugent and NazarethHouse.‘It’s great that we have such people,who’re prepared to go that extra milefor us,’ said Nugent FundraisingOfficer, Kevin Byrne. On the dayNugent were presented with chequestotalling over £11,000. ‘We thoughtit was a good occasion to say thankyou to all those people,’ addedKevin.Nazareth House is a short stayrespite for children with physical andlearning difficulties aged 6 to17years-old. The House is owned by

the Sisters of Nazareth, althoughmanaged by Nugent Care, and hasbeen caring for children for over 100years.

Nugent’s Egg Hunt

Archbishop Patrick Kelly celebrated a Massof Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary ofthe parish of St Patrick’s, Southport. Thecelebration coincided with the Feast Day ofthe parish’s patron Saint. The parish wasinitially founded by a small Irish communitywho had settled in the area in the yearsbefore the Potato Famine, but it was notuntil 1912 that the first church buildingwas opened, on land purchased from theScarisbrick family for the sum of £1,500.‘At Easter-time our joy in the risen Christ isrooted in the ancient declaration: “JesusChrist, the same yesterday, today andforever,”’ said parish priest, Father TomLeigh. ‘The people and priests of StPatrick’s Parish, past and present areproud to let this speak for them, as wecelebrate 100 years of being an EasterPeople whose song continues tobe...alleluia.’

St Patrick’scelebration

Catholic Pictorial 9

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Canon James Collins, ‘Father Jimmy’,died on the afternoon of Thursday 19April at the age of 94 and just threemonths short of the 70th anniversary ofhis priestly ordination.

A much loved Parish Priest, writer andbringer of healing to many fromthroughout the world, Father Jimmy wassmall in stature but mighty in ministry.

James Daniel Collins was born inBlundellsands on 27 January 1918, theson of John and Anne Collins. He waseducated at St Thomas’ ElementarySchool, Waterloo, before studying for thepriesthood at St Joseph’s College,Upholland. He was ordained to thepriesthood on 26 July 1942 at StEdmund’s, Waterloo.

He had three appointments as curate: StOswald, Ashton-in-Makerfield from 1942to 1944; St Joseph, Birkdale from 1944to 1959 and St Mary, Woolton from1959 to 1966. In April 1966 he wasappointed parish priest, in succession to

Father John Henry Smith, of the thenrecently-established parish of St Josephthe Worker, Kirkby. This was to be hisonly appointment as parish priest,though he was also Administrator of StLaurence, Kirkby, between March 1981and September 1985. He retired, afterthirty years as parish priest, in April1996.

It was whilst in Kirkby that he became achampion for the poor anddisenfranchised when he found peoplestruggling with difficult conditionsincluding poor transport and a lack ofshops and community resources hebecame a community activist, setting upa credit union and an unemploymentresource centre.

His service to the Archdiocese and thewider community was recognisedformally on at least two occasions. On 1September 1989 he was appointed anHonorary Canon of the MetropolitanCathedral Chapter, and earlier this yearhe received an Honorary Doctorate of

Death of Father JimmyDivinity from Liverpool Hope Universityin recognition of that lifelong workwith the poor, and also his significantrole in the establishment of theNorthern Catholic Conference, whichis based at Hope University.

He wrote of the Conference: ‘at thisconference there is no unhappiness,only that sense of joy, relaxed andbeautiful and only this by the HolySpirit, it is available, it flows from thepeople themselves. What is spokenabout and discussed gives ameaning to life, a meaning to lifetouched by the light of the Spirit, alife of joy, abandonment. It is happyat what it has, a desire to Love,Love, Love not just oneself but theneighbour who is next door, and thewhole of society and the communityof which people live. God bless theNorthern Catholic Conference it is avery special gift of God to this partof the world, please pray that it willbe able to change the atmospherefor many people’.

Obituary

Catholic Pictorial10

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news diary

Father Jimmy helped countlesspeople through his ministry, whetheras parish priest, spiritual director ofthe Cursillo Movement in theArchdiocese, and his involvementwith the Healing Masses. He alsoshared his spiritual insights with awider audience through a number ofbooks in the ‘Reflections’ seriesbegun in 1999. Following hisretirement he made a pilgrimage onfoot to Walsingham and hisreflections on that experience borefruit in the book ‘Soft Blows theWind’.

He was a regular pilgrim to LoughDerg in Ireland where he entered fullyinto the penitential spirit of theretreat writing:

‘I knelt at the ancient stone pillar thatstands by the stone Basilica. It wasthe start of my third Station, the lastof the day. I move to St. Bridget’sCross cut into the Basilica. ThreeOur Fathers, three Hail Marys,kneeling and then standing. There isa cold rain now, sweeping in from theAtlantic.

‘The Mass at 6.30 is a foretaste ofthe Heaven which awaits those whoare faithful to the lessons of LoughDerg. The music steals into hearts,the coming of Jesus breathes peaceand joy into many who are feelingthat they have made a descent into

darkness, but it is a darkness ofpeace. The Holy Spirit hovers overthe bowed heads. The world hasdrifted away. A new vision isemerging.’

His Funeral Mass was scheduled tobe celebrated in the MetropolitanCathedral on Tuesday 1 May, theFeast of St Joseph the Worker.Following a meeting at the QuakerMeeting House in Liverpool FatherJimmy once wrote:

‘I walked uphill to the Cathedral, myhead full of unanswered questions. Iclimbed the steps leading up andfaced the great doorway and wentinto the vast space coloured with thered, blues and greens of theafternoon sun. I went to the LadyChapel. I find a mysterious peaceand joy there as though it had beenactually visited by the Blessed Virginand she had left an imprint of herpresence. I could still see the youngeager faces of the group. They hadlistened so intently. They weresearching for something; somethingwhich eluded them. I was aware ofthe kindness I had always receivedfrom the Quakers in the past. Theyhad helped me in the poverty ofKirkby in its darkest days. And,Mother, you are Mother of all of us! Istayed a long time. Peace demandsas much.’

The Blessed Sacrament Shrine inLiverpool city centre received a flyingvisit at Easter – from a trio of traineepriests from New York.The three novices are studyingtogether at the Blessed Sacrament’sparish in Manhattan, Saint JeanBaptiste, yet their back stories couldnot be more different.Darren Maslan was 10 years anAnglican priest. James Cadman wasbrought up a Methodist. The onlyCatholic by birth of the three isCardinal Heenan old boy ChristopherRiley, a care assistant in Liverpoolbefore deciding to follow his vocation. Brother Christopher admits he“stumbled upon” the BlessedSacrament congregation one day in2009 when he wanted to go to Massbut “couldn’t be bothered to go up tothe Cathedral”. So he entered theBlessed Sacrament Shrine and “foundsomething special there”.For Brother Darren, the feeling of “aweight pressing down on myshoulders” led him to the CatholicChurch. Already inspired in his earliertheology studies by the teachings ofJesuit priest Bernard Lonergan, hebecame a Catholic in 2009,responding to the voice that told him“to make sense of faith and then live itin an entirely different place, adifferent Church.”For Brother James, the BlessedSacrament Fathers with their inner-cityparishes appealed for their “sense ofmission to the wider community andstrong sense of loyalty to theteachings of the Church”. He isrelishing the Manhattan experience.“New York is a very Catholic city. OnAsh Wednesday, we were distributingashes from seven in the morning tilleight at night.” The three novices, who met ArchbishopPatrick Kelly and Bishop Tom Williamsduring their stay, are the first in adecade for the Blessed Sacrament’sBritish and Irish province and have leftFather Gary Walsh, the Superior at theShrine on Dawson Street, hopeful of “aturnaround in vocations” to the order.“It’s lifted the spirits of the province,”he said.

New Yorknovices fly infor Easter

11Catholic Pictorial

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Archbishop Patrick Kelly was the Celebrant at the annual Mass of Chrism in theMetropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on the eve of Holy Thursday. He wasassisted by Bishop Tom Williams and Bishop Vincent Malone together with over100 priests concelebrating and a full congregation from across the archdiocese.At the Mass the Oils used in anointing during the coming year were blessed andthe Oil of Chrism consecrated. The Oil of the Sick was carried forward by EuniceAustin from the parish of St John Almond, accompanied by her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. The Oil of Catechumens by Robert and Susan New withbaby Joseph and daughter Catherine. They are from St Joseph’s, Blundellsandsand are preparing for the baptism of Joseph. The Oil of Chrism was broughtforward by Peter Woods, Chairman of the Cathedral Friends Committee withDoctor Elena Vivori and Frances Culligan of the Friends of the Cathedral. TheOffertory gifts were carried forward by young people from Animate YouthMinistries.Prior to the Procession of the Oils the priests present renewed their commitmentto priestly service.

Mass of Chrism

news diary

A landmark conference on thechallenges and achievements ofCatholic Mental Health Chaplaincywas held at St Francis Xavier church,Liverpool. The conference wasorganised as part of the ‘WelcomeMe as I Am’ project by the CatholicBishops Conference Mental HealthProject; in partnership with theSpiritual and Pastoral CareDepartment of Mersey Care NHSTrust.The keynote speaker was FatherDaniel O’Leary, and Bishop TomWilliams, Chair of the BishopsConference Health Care ReferenceGroup, and Bishop Richard Moth,Chair of the Bishops ConferenceMental Health Project, alsoaddressed the conference.‘We’re reminded of the importanceof our distinctive contribution in thecollaborative ministry of Chaplaincyin Mental Health Services, togetherwith the need to ensure that ourparishes are places of welcome andinclusion for all those touched bymental health problems’ said BenBano, Project Manager of theWelcome Me as I Am Project.

Welcomeme as I am

The annual Healing Mass will becelebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kellyat 7.30 pm on Friday 18 May in theMetropolitan Cathedral of Christ theKing. All are welcome to attend theMass and priests are invited to assistwith Confessions afterwards.

Healing Mass


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spotlight

‘Invocation 2012’Third National Discernment Festival for Young PeopleThe Invocation Festival is a uniqueevent in the life of the Catholic Churchin Europe. For people not familiar withthe festival, it is aimed at young menand women aged 16 to 35, who arelooking to deepen their relationshipwith Christ and who are searching forthe knowledge and tools to developtheir own personal formation,discernment and understanding ofGod's will for their lives.

In particular it invites young people toask themselves the question ‘Am Icalled to priesthood or religious life’?The weekend is for ordinary youngCatholics including those who havepossibly never asked themselves thisquestion and yet engage with theChurch, perhaps through events suchas World Youth Day, Cymfed andDiocesan Youth events or pilgrimages toplaces like Lourdes, where the serviceof young people is so much inevidence.

The Invocation Festival providesfellowship, catechesis, confession andadoration with time for prayer, quietreflection, and discernment throughkeynote speakers, interactiveworkshops, life changing services and,above all, space to encounter the Lord.In a relaxed setting, the participantsoften inspire each other and meet withpriests and religious who provide ajoyful witness to their lives andvocation.

This year’s workshops include: PrayerLife: what is prayer and how do wepray? How does prayer help to nurtureour vocation and help us to discern whowe are called to be? How can wedevelop an intimacy with God? What isthe priesthood? Is there a need? Asacrament and its origins. How doesone become a priest and am I the rightperson? What are the signs andsuggestions of a calling?

There will also be workshops onBenedictine Spirituality, CarmeliteSpirituality, Dominican Spirituality,Franciscan Spirituality and IgnatianSpirituality.

Now in its third year, plans are wellunder way for ‘Invocation 2012’ whichwill be held in the grounds of St.Mary’s College, Oscott, in theArchdiocese of Birmingham, from Friday6 July to Sunday 8 July.

For more information about the festivalplease visithttp://www.invocation.org.uk andcontact Father Stephen Maloney,Diocesan Vocations Director, todiscuss the logistics for getting youngpeople to this great and unique event.


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On a liturgical note Canon Philip Gillespie

Over the weeks of Eastertide, manyof the Scripture readings at Massare taken from the Acts of theApostles. In this book we see how themessage of the Lord’s Resurrectionand His gift of the Holy Spirittransform and change seeminglyordinary situations intoopportunities to see and experiencethe presence and power of God. As the small group of disciplesgrows both in number and inconfidence, we see an emergingunity and common purpose in whatthey are doing – even if theysometimes use different words,employ different methods, andpreach their message to differentgroups.The feast of Saint Matthias (Monday14 May) is a good example of this.There is a vacancy in the ranks ofthe 12; a job has to be done, butwho is to do it? Of the two menmost evidently qualified and suitedfor the role, Matthias is selected bywhat we may think a rather arbitrarymethod – they pull his name out ofa hat. However, we can easilyoverlook the fact that there is an

essentialelement in anydecision-makingor taking, namelyprayer. The storyof the Acts is astory of a groupcoming to termswith thedifficulties, joys, problems anddecisions which have to be taken ina Christ-like spirit, always aware thattheir one vocation is ‘to go out andbear fruit, fruit that will last’ (Jn15:16).Their discussions and decisions arealways moulded and fashioned byprayer and by a desire for the goodnot of themselves as individuals butof the whole community and also ofthose to whom the Word has to bepreached.For our own lives, as well as thoseof the parishes and communities inwhich we share, these readings bothinspire and challenge. We are askedto have a breadth of vision to seeourselves not as isolated individualsbut as members of the one body –living in a way faithful to theexample and command of Christ.

sunday reflections

Desire theSpiritSaint Kevin lived atGlendalough in Ireland.A young man went tosee him and Kevinasked him: “What doyou seek?” The man replied: “Baptism inthe spirit.” Kevin looked at him surprisedand said: “You mean to tell me you desirethe spirit more than money, power,pleasure or reputation?” “Yes,” said theyoung man emphatically. With that Kevin invited him to step into thelake nearby. He plunged his head under thewater until the last bubble of air came fromhis lips. Then, yanking him up by the hair,he said: “What is it you desire?” “Oh for abreath of fresh air,” said the youth. “Whenyou want the spirit with the same intensity,”replied Kevin, “you will surely experience hiscoming into your heart.”Whether we know it or not, our deepestneed is for the spirit of God, the very life ofGod poured out for us so that we have thestrength to live lives that are vibrant andfull, to live as a person of hope, a person ofjustice, a person of love, compassion andforgiveness, a person filled with awe andwonder who delights in every moment given.When we allow God to release the spiritwithin us, we begin to become aware thatHe is everywhere and life is about enteringinto the most incredible encounter with thedivine. It is then that we can no longer treatthe world as though it were an accident orpeople as though they do not matter.Everything bears God’s image and to see itand know it is to live in what the Franciscanpriest Richard Rohr calls an enchanteduniverse.The most incredible gift God can give us isGodself and it is there for the asking. Godwill never withhold Godself from us becauseGod wants intimacy with us, to share reallife with us. In his Gospel, Luke says ‘askfor the spirit and the spirit will be given…knock and the door to life will be opened toyou’.Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacherto the Papal household, says that to be fullof the spirit is to be full of love. Love is theonly reality that helps us discover meaningand purpose and which awakens within usunderstanding, compassion, forgiveness. St Paul tells us that love is the only realitythat lasts eternally. When the spirit comes,love is always the first gift we receive. Thepower of love is awakened within us. Somaybe the question to ask as we approachPentecost is whether or not we want to befilled with love, with the demands that lovemakes.

Fr Chris Thomas

Sunday thoughts Mgr John Devine OBE

Dr Jane Williams visited LiverpoolHope University in November. Atheologian of repute she deliveredthe annual Archbishop StuartBlanche lecture. She is also thewife of Archbishop RowanWilliams.Jane Williams wrote in the ChurchTimes last year: ‘There is a fairlywidespread assumption in theprevailing culture of Britain thatpeople of faith rely on dogma andbigotry, and that no one with a braincan believe in God.’ Secular Britain assumes thatreligious belief is something normalpeople grow out of – along withFather Christmas and the toothfairy. Religion is for the naive, atodds with intellectual inquiry. Mostlong-established universities in theUK were church foundations. Yettoday the majority of these distancethemselves from their roots as iftoo close an identification withChristianity diminishes theiracademic credibility. Liverpool Hope is an explicitly faith-based foundation. This does notmake it an uncritical haven for

those whose faithneeds protecting.Nor does it simplytranslate intopastoral care andprovision ofworship, essentialas these are.Hope’s Christian faith informs theentire academic enterprise.Liverpool Hope is single-minded inits pursuit of academic excellence.While the Church-based university isa concept requiring constantjustification in the UK, many of themost prestigious universities inother countries share Hope’s vision.Liverpool Hope finds itself amember of an international networkof institutions that wish to work inpartnership with it. It is nocoincidence that Hope’s academicstaff have been recruited from 35nations. Hope’s founding collegeswere established in the 19thcentury to bring higher education tothose traditionally excluded. Fidelityto the vision of its Christianfounders drives the university tosettle only for the best.


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Tuesday 1 MayGospel LectioAn opportunity to read and reflect onthe Gospel passage chosen for theliturgy on the following Sunday. 7.00pm at the Prayer Centre at St Joseph’s,Freshfield Formby, L37 1PH. DetailsTel: 01704 879665

Wednesday 2 MayUCM bi-monthly Mass8.00 pm at St Anne, Ormskirk, L394TG.

Friday 4 May to Monday 7 MayThree day CursilloAt Loyola Hall, Rainhill, Prescot, L356NZ. Details from Ann Tel:07773674059

Sunday 6 May‘Discovering God’s plan for you.’The Archdiocesan Vocations Team’smonthly discernment meeting. 5.00pm at St Mary’s Lowe House, StHelens, WA10 2BE, followed by theYouth Alive Mass. This meeting isaimed at young men aged between 13-18 with opportunities to pray, socialiseand learn more about the vocation ofthe priesthood. Details: Father JamesPreston Tel: 01942 673753. Animate Youth Ministries 'Youth Alive'Mass. 6.30 pm at St Mary’s LoweHouse, St Helens, WA10 2BE.

Monday 7 MayOrgan Recital3.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedralof Christ the King.

Tuesday 8 MayGospel LectioAn opportunity to read and reflect onthe Gospel passage chosen for theliturgy on the following Sunday. 7.00pm at the Prayer Centre at St Joseph’s,Freshfield Formby, L37 1PH. DetailsTel: 01704 879665

Thursday 10 May‘In the Footsteps of the Saints.’Spend time with men and women whohave made a difference in our worldand continue to influence our choicesand attitudes. 7.00 pm at the PrayerCentre at St Joseph’s, FreshfieldFormby, L37 1PH. Details Tel: 01704879665

Saturday 12 MayCar Boot Sale in aid of the LutyensCrypt Project8.00 am onwards in the Cathedral CarPark. Pitches £10. Details from ClaireHanlon 0151 709 9222.


Friday 18 MayMass of Healing.Celebrant: Archbishop Patrick Kelly.7.00 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedralof Christ the King.

Saturday 19 MayMass for the Cause of Elizabeth Prout.2.30 pm at St Anne and BlessedDominic, Sutton, St Helens, WA9 3ZD.

‘Pastoral’ Concert7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedralof Christ the King Crypt Concert Room.Tickets and details Tel: 0151 7073525 or www.cathedralconcerts.org.uk

Sunday 20 MayFeast of the Ascension of the LordWorld Communications Day

Wednesday 23 MayGood Shepherd Mass1.15 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedralof Christ the King.


Saturday 26th May A Mass for PeacePhilharmonic Hall. Experience themoving words and music which haveearned so much praise in recent years.With its depiction of the horrors of warand the beauty of prayer thisforthcoming event will lift your soul.Karl Jenkins conducts The Armed Man.This ever popular composer interpretshis own work with the Royal LiverpoolPhilharmonic Orchestra and LiverpoolWelsh Choral. Tickets are availablefrom £12. Telephone 0151 652 6374or 0151 709 3789.

Sunday 27 MayPentecost Sunday

Solemn Mass of Pentecost11.00 am in the MetropolitanCathedral of Christ The King.

Two Cathedrals’ Service3.00 pm beginning in the MetropolitanCathedral of Christ the King and

what’s on

Friday 16thNovember The Priests In concert forJospice at theLiverpoolMetropolitanCathedral onFriday 16thNovember. Pre-order your ticketsnow on 0151 924 3812

Sunday 27 May


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may

concluding in Liverpool’s AnglicanCathedral; taking place this year inhonour of the Diamond Jubilee of HerMajesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Tuesday 29 MayCursillo Ultreya7.30 pm at St Michael and All Angels,Kirkby, Liverpool, L32 0TP.


Looking ahead:Sunday 3 June‘Discovering God’s plan for you.’The Archdiocesan Vocations Team’s monthly discernment meeting. 5.00pm at St Mary’s Lowe House, St Helens, WA10 2BE, followed by the YouthAlive Mass. This meeting is aimed at young men aged between 13-18 withopportunities to pray, socialise and learn more about the vocation of thepriesthood. Details: Father James Preston Tel: 01942 673753.

Friday 8 June to Sunday 10 JuneNorthern Catholic Conference at Liverpool Hope University with thetheme: ‘”Corpus Christi” The Eucharist.The real presence of Jesus’. Speakers include Father Christopher JamisonOSB, Father Daniel O’Leary, Marino Restrepo, Tony Hickey and Canon JimmyCollins. Details: www.northerncatholic.co.uk or from Northern CatholicConference, ‘Regina Coeli, 6 Warner Drive, Liverpool, L4 8US. Tel: 07543800812.

Sunday 10 JuneAnnual Children’s MassCelebrant: Archbishop Patrick Kelly. 2.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedralof Christ the King.

Friday 15 June to Sunday 17 June‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people.’A look at the Acts of the Apostles. Scripture Weekend led by Father ChrisThomas at St Joseph’s Prayer Centre, Blundell Avenue, Formby, L37 1PH.For details contact Irenaeus on 0151 949 1199 or email:[email protected]

Saturday 16 June‘Fairest Isle’ Concert7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Crypt ConcertRoom. Tickets and details Tel: 0151 707 3525 orwww.cathedralconcerts.org.uk

Wednesday 27 JuneAnnual UCM Mass7.30 pm in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.

Saturday 30 JuneArchdiocese of Liverpool PilgrimageTo the Shrine at Ladyewell, Preston, PR2 5RR, led by Archbishop PatrickKelly. 12.00 noon Mass in St Mary’s Church; followed by a RosaryProcession to the Shrine and mediation and Benediction of the BlessedSacrament at 3.30pm. Details: Father James Preston: email:[email protected]

Saturday 19 May


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youth ministry

Life has been, as usual, rather busyfor the Animate team. It seems along time already since we werefinishing our last school missionbefore Easter at St Augustine’s inSt Helens. That was a fantasticweek, where we were able to spendtime in classes working with thepupils in smaller groups, exploringthe theme of ‘Let your light shine’.Straight afterwards we were on theroad to London for the Flameconference at Wembley Arena on24 March.

Flame, organised by the CatholicYouth Ministry federation (CYMfed),was designed to link in with thisyear’s London Olympics and so thetheme of the day was the connectionbetween sport and faith. Guestspeakers from the world of sporttalked about their own faith and howit had helped them overcome certainobstacles in life, or encouragedthem to live out the Olympic ideal of‘Higher, Faster, Stronger’.

For the Liverpool contingent, thehighlight must surely have been ourown Richard ‘Woody’ Netherwoodfinally getting the stage he hasworked for all these years as he ledthe CAFOD section of the day in frontof the 8,000 young people present.Woody introduced Abdi Dima, a 19-year-old member of the Kenyanational karate team who, through aCAFOD project, has been able to find

hope through sport.After Flame, we were straight intothe Holy Week and Easter liturgies.

This year Palm Sunday fell on anormal Youth Alive night so wecelebrated it in typical Youth Alivefashion: branches of trees hackeddown from the garden to wave in theopening procession and then a verypowerful rendition of the Passion tolead us into a reflection on whatHoly Week is all about. It was greatto see so many people at the Mass,

all waving their quite cumbersomebranches in the air and helping getHoly Week off to a good start.

As usual, Animate offered day retreatsover the Triduum that led into thedifferent services. It was good to seeso many people come along for theseand we hope they helped make theservices more meaningful as we drewout the themes of this great week inthe Church’s year.

One difference to the usual Triduumactivities, though, was Good Friday.Rather than have a day retreat here at

Lowe House we packed everyone intominibuses and cars and made the tripup the M6 for the Preston Passion.You may have seen this on TV onGood Friday morning, and if so you willhave seen some of the young peopleof our diocese join in the dancing tothe final song, ‘You’ve got the Love’. Adifferent way to prepare for the GoodFriday liturgy but an opportunity thatdoes not come along often and it wasgood to be part of a Christian witnessto the country at this most specialtime of the year.

The whole week came to a culminationwith the Easter Vigil and the EasterSunday Mass. As always it was aspecial celebration here at LoweHouse and a great way to end whathad been quite a hectic term!

WYD Rio de JaneiroWorld Youth Day 2013 will take placein Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ourpilgrimage runs from 16-30 July 2013and is for those aged 17+. For furtherinformation, contact Father SimonGore: [email protected].

Reflections on amemorable Easter


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profile

Amy Armstrong from St Luke’s Parishin Whiston is part of a gap yearprogramme with Cafod, although basedin Salford she has just returned fromworking in Ghana and reflects on herexperiences.

I am based at Just Youth, a Spiritanretreat centre, in Salford. Part of thegap year programme, means that Ireceive a month’s experience in adeveloping country. Earlier this year Iwent with two other volunteers to Ghanawhere we stayed with the Sisters of theHoly Child Jesus.

We spent two weeks in Bolgatanga inthe upper east region of the country andmet some incredible people there. Ithink that is what struck me the mostabout Ghanaian people: they might nothave much, but they are incrediblyhappy. We worked in two schools inBolgatanga, and met students who haveto work before and after school in orderto pay the £15 for their education.Students who have to walk for miles toget access to clean water and otherswho have to care for their youngerbrothers and sisters due to the absenceof their parents.

In the final two weeks, we went to

Takoradi and Cape Coast in the south.We visited a neo-natal hospital andnursing school there. It was astoundingto discover that they hired gentlemen tocarry women up the stairs in thehospital after giving birth because thelift was broken. The babies andmothers are very well looked after, andit is clear to see that the hospital keepsto the Millennium Development Goalson mother and baby health.

It was fascinating to see the differencesbetween the north and the south ofGhana: differences, not only betweenwealth, education and resources, butalso in climate. Sister Martha SHCJ,said that there has most definitely beena noticeable change in climate in recentyears. People rely on the rain for theircrops to grow, and often the rains cancome at irregular times.

So they have to decide: plant on thefirst rain and hope it continues to rainfor the rest of the season, or planttowards the end and hope for a growthspurt. It's unreal to witness peopleliving their lives like this, especiallywhen we have such easy access toproduce from all over the world.

The work done by Cafod in supporting

people with climate issues will certainlymake a difference to their lives.

Faith is most certainly alive in Ghana.Mass can be up to two and a half hourslong. Long, but truly amazing and worthgetting up at 6.00 am for. The peoplethat I met believe that God gave themtheir way of life for a reason, they trulybelieve that God has intentions for all ofthem, and they are grateful foreverything that He has given them.They believe that He is looking afterthem. Some of the young people thatwe met said that if they didn't have theirfaith, they would just give up. Oneteacher I met said that students arefully aware that ‘nothing good comeseasy’ in life. They are all truly inspiring.

I have learnt to live everyday as itcomes. There are people out there whowork incredibly hard to receive thethings that we just take for granted.Count your blessings every day:someone else's life could have veryeasily been ours.

Out of Africa

AmyArmstrong

“It's unreal to witnesspeople living their lives

like this”


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justice & peace

By Steve Atherton, Justice andPeace fieldworker

Recently, I have been thinking alot about the relationship betweencharity and justice. Partly this is prompted bytheological concerns but partly tooby hints that ‘justice and peace’ isold hat and needs to be replacedby an emphasis on charity,sometimes even by its Latinisedform, ‘caritas’.

I was delighted when I cameacross the following definitions ofjustice given by Pope Benedict XVIin his annual address to theGeneral Inspectorate for PublicSecurity at the Vatican on 13January this year:"Justice is not a mere humanconvention. When, in the name ofsupposed justice, the criteria ofutility, profit and materialpossession come to dominate,then the value and dignity ofhuman beings can be trampledunderfoot. Justice is a virtue whichguides the human will, promptingus to give others what is due tothem by reason of their existenceand their actions."

In this message, the pope makes itclear that justice is: • at the heart of how we relate to

other people• due to all people simply because

they exist• something we need to practise• something we can get better at

with practice

And of ‘peace’ the Pope added:"True peace must be constructedday after day with compassion,solidarity, fraternity andcollaboration on everyone's part."

There is much to think about hereand I wonder how these words

Looking for the meaning of justice and peace

describe your experience of theChurch and especially of justice andpeace? Are you a member of a churchthat practises “compassion, solidarity,fraternity and collaboration”? If not,why not?

Our concern for other people and forjustice grows when we give our faith achance to sink into our hearts ratherthan just be stuck in our heads.This takes time. It takes prayerand silence as well as words andconversations. So as to maketime to consider these big issues,J&P in the diocese organises anannual retreat at Loyola Hall andthis year’s retreat takes place on18-20 May, with the title ‘Empoweringrelations of Justice and Peace’.Everybody is welcome. (If theresidential rate seems tooexpensive, then maybe youcould consider coming forthe day on Saturdayfor just £10.)

Finally, a handwritten note that thePope sent recently to the Church inIreland included a prayer for “thegrowth of charity, justice, joy andpeace within the whole human family”.Here we have the other key word in

our spiritual journey. Wedon’t just have

charity, justiceand peace. Nowwe are offeredtheir fruit: joy.

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holyland

The Living Church in the HolyLand during the Easter periodSome personal observations from our Catholic guide in the Holy Land, Usama Salman

The Holy land is a place for twonations and three religions. Eachof the three has a corresponding

memory that has been kept alivethrough the believed religion: Judaism,Christianity and Islam. This place, inparticular the city of Jerusalem, is thecentre toward which all of Jesus’earthly life converges. It is whereJesus’ salvation mission finds all of itsmeaning.

According to Luke’s Gospel, Jesussaid when he was asked by some of thePharisees to order his disciples to stoprejoicing and praising God in a loudvoice, he answered “I tell you, if thesewere silent, the stones would shoutout.”

Today, these stones are the localindigenous Christians in the Holy Land“the Living Stones”, also known asPalestinian Christians, that are dividedinto fourteen different denominations.Descendants and heirs of the firstprimitive Christian community, who lived,experienced, and believed in Jesus asSaviour.

Despite the fact, that thesecommunities are challenged by manydifficulties, they still endeavor tocelebrate Easter Week that begins withthe Palm Sunday.

Local Christians, especially fromJerusalem specialize in preparing Palmbranches designed with pockets to holdthe decorated flowers and colouredribbons in preparation for the PalmSunday procession that begins from

Bethphage church on the eastern slopeof Mount of Olives. The place whereJesus sent two of his disciples to losenthe tied colt and an ass that no man saton.

The local community and thousandsof Christian pilgrims participate in theprocession led by the Latin Patriarchfrom Bethphage to the Church of St.Anne inside St. Stephen’s Gate in theOld City.

The sound of the leavesbranches shaken by thethousands of celebrantstakes you back to the timewhen Jesus lived.

At the end of theprocession, Christian scouttroops circle the walls of theold city of Jerusalem in theircolourful uniforms withJerusalem crosses on theirbacks while playing differentmusical instruments.

On Good Friday, Christiansfrom all across the world jointhe local Christians

expressing mourning and grief as theywalk along the Via Dolorossa. Theprocession through the fourteenstations of the cross ends at Calvary.

The tradition that goes backgenerations has families from the localChristian community of Jerusalem tocarry the cross throughoutthe fourteen stations of thecross accompanied by theFranciscan community choirand the parish boy scouttroops.

Easter Saturday is theSaturday of light “SabatAnour” in the Arabiclanguage, when theresurrection of Christ iscommemorated by the holyfire which takes place in thechurch of the Holy Sepulchre.

Thousands of pilgrims join the localChristians, with many of them sleepingovernight beside the Holy Sepulchrechurch, to be among the first to receivethe holy fire. All the crowd will bewaiting to receive the light that comesfrom the empty tomb of Jesus holdingcandles and glass lanterns.

The moment the light comes out fromthe tomb, the local Christians will becelebrating on the small alleys of theChristian quarter with church bellsringing.

Many of local Christians believe thatthe fire that comes out of the tombwon’t burn you so you will see manypeople passing the light on their faceswithout getting burned. Joyfulsalutations are heard, bells ringing andthe Holy fire is already on its way tomore distant places in the Holy Land,and beyond.

The atmosphere is one of public joyand celebration. Local Christians on thisday always start greetings to oneanother with the traditional Eastergreetings “Christ has risen” and theresponse, “He has really risen”.

Easter Sunday is a family celebrationday, after the Easter Sunday mass thatis held in every parish, family andfriends gather and eat a feast in joyfulcelebration.

“The moment the light comes out from the tomb, the localChristians will be celebrating on the small alleys of the

Christian quarter with church bells ringing”


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Catholic Pictorial official

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£1150 per person

Includes return flights fromManchester

5 nights dinner, bed and breakfastin Jerusalem and 2 nights dinner bed

and breakfast in Tiberias

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The Church of the Holy Sepulchre,Jerusalem

Sailing on the Sea of Gallilee


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For more information please contact Stephen [email protected]

A programme of inspirational singingExpert group vocal sessionsFun songsBig Sings with other schoolsFree trial of ten weeks

A MASS FOR PEACEExperience the moving words and musicwhich have earned so much praise in recentyears.With its depiction of the horrors of war andthe beauty of prayer this forthcoming eventwill lift your soul.

KARL JENKINS conducts THE ARMED MAN.This ever popular composer interprets hisown work with the Royal LiverpoolPhilharmonic Orchestra and Liverpool WelshChoral.

On Saturday 26th May at the PhilharmonicHall tickets are available from £12.

Telephone 0151 652 6374 or 0151 709 3789.

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Cathedral Record

cathedral

Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean

by Christopher McElroy

Since the Metropolitan Cathedralopened in 1967, music at liturgieshas been led by the CathedralChoir of boys and men. In 2008the opportunity for girls to sing inthe Cathedral was also opened upwith the foundation of theCathedral Girls’ Choir.

The choir comprises of up to 30girls, aged 11-18 who all receivespecialist music places at StEdwards College, the CathedralChoir school. Each morning from8.00 am to 9.00 am, whilst theirfellow students are waking up, thegirls are hard at work rehearsing inschool with choir director PhilipArkwright. On Mondays the girlssing at Mass in the Cathedral at5.15 pm, and on Wednesdays theysing Choral Evening Prayer at5.45 pm.

In addition to their regular liturgicalduties, the choir often sings forspecial celebrations in the Cathedraland also at liturgies and concertsacross the Archdiocese and beyond.The girls’ choir made theirbroadcasting debut in 2011 whenthey recorded the Easter Sunday‘Sunrise’ service for BBC Radio 4.

Pentecost Sunday this year will seethe Metropolitan Cathedral Girls’

Choir, along with the AnglicanCathedral Girls’ Choir host theCologne Cathedral Girls’ Choir herein Liverpool. Earlier this year, thetwo Liverpool girls’ choir travelled toCologne (Liverpool’s twin city) tocelebrate the Solemnity of theEpiphany.

Pentecost sees the return visit, andwill see an action packed weekendfor all three girls’ choirs with a CivicReception in St Georges Hall, aconcert in the Anglican Cathedral,Solemn Mass at the MetropolitanCathedral followed by the TwoCathedral’s Service, which this yearbegins at the Metropolitan Cathedralbefore processing down Hope Streetto the Anglican Cathedral.

In July, the annual auditions will beheld for places in the Cathedralgirls’ choir. Girls audition at the endof year 5, starting as probationerchoristers at the beginning of year6. Further information is availableon the Cathedral websitewww.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk

The addition of the Cathedral Girls’Choir to the liturgical music offeringof the Cathedral has been of greatbenefit to the Cathedral community,complementing the singing of theBoys and Men, and allowing musicto be provided at liturgies on a dailybasis.

Following the sad news of Canon Jimmy Collins’death we began the month of May with his FuneralMass in the Cathedral on 1st May: the Feast of StJoseph the Worker. I don’t think the Lord could havepicked a more appropriate day for the Requiem of theformer parish priest, of thirty years standing, of StJoseph the Worker, Kirkby.On Sunday 13th Archbishop Kelly will confirm youngpeople from the Cathedral parish at the Solemn Mass.The Cathedral Friends Association will hold theirAnnual Mass and Annual General Meeting on Tuesday15th beginning at 5.15 pm. Later that week as partof her tour of the United Kingdom in the Jubilee Yearher Majesty the Queen will visit Liverpool on Thursday17th May. On Friday 18th there is the Annual HealingMass at 7.30 pm and as this is also ‘Light Night’ inLiverpool City Centre there will be a candle lit labyrinthon the Cathedral Piazza and architectural lightprojections on the rear of our building. The followingweek there is the Good Shepherd Mass in support ofNugent Care at 1.15 pm on 23rd May.Over the Pentecost weekend there is a concert by ‘TheSixteen’ on Friday 25th at 7.30 pm. The CologneGirls’ Choir will be visiting us for the Feast and theywill be taking part in a combined concert with theMetropolitan and Liverpool Cathedral Choirs atLiverpool Cathedral on Saturday the eve of Pentecostat 7.30 pm. The Cologne Choir will also be singing atthe Solemn Mass at 11.00 am on Pentecost Sundaywhich is also Bishop Tom William’s Ruby Anniversaryof Priesthood. In the afternoon at 3.00 pm there isthe bi-annual Two Cathedrals Service involving all theChristian Churches and their Leaders. This year thereis a special focus on thanksgiving for the 60 yearsthat Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne. Itshould be a very colourful occasion and the LordLieutenant has managed to organise a full militaryband to lead the procession down Hope Street. Theservice begins at our Cathedral and ends in LiverpoolCathedral.On 31st May there is a Mass for New Catholics at7.30 pm, during which Mr Jonathan Brown will beordained to the Diaconate.For all you Olympians out there you may be interestedto know that the Olympic Torch will be carried passedthe Cathedral and down Hope Street at 5.00 pm on1st June and there will be entertainment and eventson the Piazza in advance of the Torch Relay – but theArchbishop and Cathedral staff will not be appearing inrunning kit.

The MetropolitanCathedral Girls’ Choir


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Pic extras

Every other year in June, our Orderusually holds its National Memorial Mass for deceased members at theMetropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool.

However, this year due to theEucharistic Congress taking place inDublin from 10-17 June – whichmembers of the Order and theirfamilies will be attending – it hasbeen decided to reschedule theMemorial Mass for Saturday 6October at 3pm.

One event that will still take place inJune is the celebration of the feastday of our patron, St Columba. Formany years Liverpool Province hascelebrated the occasion at StColumba’s Parish Church, Huytonwhere we always received a verywarm welcome from Father MichaelLee.

He retired last year but hissuccessor as parish priest, Fr ChrisMcCoy, is delighted to carry on thetradition and he will celebrate Massfor us on the eve of the feast, Friday

8 June, at 7.30pm. We are gratefulto Fr McCoy for arranging the Massand ask all members and theirfamilies to please attend. Thanksalso go to Fr Lee for all his supportin the past; we wish him a long andhappy retirement.

As this is the month of May, theOrder demonstrates how much itvalues our Patroness MaryImmaculate. Each council at its Maymeeting rededicates the Order toher tender care as indicated in theopening words of the dedicationprayer: “We dedicate andconsecrate our beloved Order toyour Immaculate Heart. O BlessedLady, accept us as your Knights. Webeseech you to direct and guide theactivities of the Order and to inspireall of us with a devouring zeal forthe cause of God, whose handmaidyou are; to increase in us all, loveof God, love of our brethren andunity of mind and action.”

Website: www.ksc.org.ukEmail: [email protected]

Mums the Word

May, the month of Our Lady. In my youthall Catholics girls had a white dress towear in the processions held in honourof Our Lady. In my church, St Francis ofAssissi, Garston, we had twoprocessions, one on the first Sunday andone on the third. The boys all worewhite shirts and grey or black shortsand the Legion of Mary also walked,wearing their blue cloaks. Do anychurches have May processions thesedays? Our Lady has many titles and manyshrines in this country and beyond. Thenearest one to us is at Fernyhalghbetween the M6 and Preston. This is alovely shrine not only to Our Lady but alsoto the Martyrs of England and Wales.The big shrine to Our Lady in England isWalsingham. In medieval times, therewere four 'must-do' pilgrimages:Jerusalem, Compostela, Rome andWalsingham. I am sure you all know the story of howthe Lady of Walsingham Manor, Richeldisde Faverches, was taken in a dream byOur Lady to the holy house in Nazarethand asked to build one in Walsingham.Richeldis had this dream three times anddid her best to comply with Our Lady'swishes. The builders had problems, so Richeldisspent a night in prayer and the nextmorning the house was built, albeit some200 feet from where Richeldis hadchosen. Our Lady promised: “Whosoeverseeks my help here will not go awayempty-handed.”Walsingham became a place of prayerand consolation. Henry II was one of thefirst monarchs to visit, possibly inpenance for Thomas a Becket’s murder.Henry VIII walked barefoot from EastBarsham Manor a couple of miles away.No one could have foreseen what wouldhappen some 30 years later when, on hisorders, the shrine and priory whereclosed and Our Lady’s statue was takento Chelsea and burned before ThomasCromwell.It was to be over three centuries beforeWalsingham became a place ofpilgrimage once again. I am sure,however, that people still prayed to OurLady of Walsingham in private – indeed itis recorded that Henry VIII prayed to heron his death bed. Please God, mayEngland once again become 'The Dowryof Mary’.God bless, Ann Hogg, media officer

News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

No change to StColumba celebration

The World of Atherton


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Worth a visitDuring Our Lady’s month of May,pay a visit to a special Catholicshrine in North Wales, the firstto be opened in Bala since theReformation, writes Lucy Oliver.You will find the shrine of Our Lady of Fatimaon the busy high street running through thispicturesque town, tucked away from thehustle and bustle. The 1609 building hasbeen many things – a café, a fish and chipshop, stables – but it became a Catholicchurch in 1948 and now houses a beautifuloak statue of Our Lady. Carved by the samePortuguese sculptor whose statue stands inthe basilica in Fatima, it was blessed by theBishop of Leira in Fatima, and brought toLiverpool before pilgrims processed into Bala.While in Bala, visit the largest natural lake inWales, Llyn Tegid, home to the rare gwyniad –a land-locked herring dating back to the IceAge. The Bala Lake Railway offers a nine-milereturn journey by steam engine through thenatural beauty of Snowdonia, beginning itsjourney in the small village of Llanuwchllyn.Finish your pilgrimage by reflecting on thescenic beauty surrounding Our Lady’s shrineand her supporters’ faith, and believe inGod’s transformative powers in all ourjourneys.

By Moira Billinge

I was listening recently to a programmeon BBC Radio 4, ‘John Peel’s Shed’ bywriter John Osborne, which related thetrue story of a lady who bought aKitKat from a station prior to boarding atrain. When she had settled down intoher seat, she opened the wrapping,broke off and ate the first piece ofchocolate and then put the rest of it onthe table in front of her.Sitting opposite her was a skinhead who,without saying a word or even makingeye contact, reached across and brokeoff a piece too. He put it in his mouthand put the remainder on the table inbetween the two of them.The lady felt intimidated and angry, butdid not know how to respond. Tentatively,she picked up the KitKat and snappedoff another chunk for herself before shetoo returned it to the table. He did thesame, put the last piece in his mouthand placed the empty wrapper on thetable.The woman eventually got off the trainand when she looked into her handbagshe found the KitKat she had purchasedin the station, still untouched.Her reaction was understandable – afterall, it is not every day that a completestranger will share a snack, without somuch as a by-your-leave. However, Iwould have loved to have heard theyoung man relate his version of thestory. In actual fact, he must have beena remarkable character because he toowould have been surprised by theincident and undoubtedly had just causeto feel aggrieved yet I believe he handledthe episode with exquisite tact, restraintand generosity. After the programme it occurred to mehow radically a misunderstanding can

change a situation so that theperception and, therefore, reporting of itis far removed from the actual truth. The same goes for the misinterpretationof a conversation. The American author,Robert McCloskey, once said: “I knowthat you believe you understand whatyou think I said, but I'm not sure yourealise that what you heard is not what Imean.” This is all too often the case. How manyarguments have been started byimagining, rather than hearing, what wasactually said? Our interpretation ofevents can be incorrect for differentreasons: false expectations, inherentprejudices or impressions that we havegathered about individuals, so that ourfinal analysis may unwittingly be acombination of what we actually heardand what we expected to hear. I believe the following quote by MargaretE Sangster is all too accurate: “In thewhole round of human affairs, little is asfatal to peace as misunderstanding.” Misunderstanding can, at best, result inamusement when the mistake isgenuine and born out of innocence, butthere are times when the resulting fall-out can have serious consequences. Thereporting of an event can be deliberatelymanipulated and used as the vehicle forgossip and innuendo. Unscrupulousjournalists who operate by the idiom“Never let the truth get in the way of agood story” offer a prime example ofhow truth can be deliberately distorted.If the accurate details do eventuallysurface, it can be too late to undo thedamage to the reputations and lives thatthe lies have created.In the search for truth, it is mindful toremember the old saying: “There arethree versions to every story: yours,mine and the truth.”

PIC LifeFavourite Prayer Gods Love

May Gods love encircle youMay Gods light enlighten youMay Gods joy enliven youMay Gods strength be with youand all those you love all the days of your life

From John DolanSt Joseph, Blundellsands

Send your favourite prayer to:Catholic Pictorial, 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BSWhy the truth comes in

shades of grey


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Children’s word searchThe beautiful month of May is dedicated to Our Lady, try to find out more inour word search

E C A E P F O N E E U Q

C D R M A R Y T W U N R

A A O E F C M V I I E I

R H F G H D O Y S R N R

G S L G F T X M A Z F V

F W E F F O O C V C B N

O O L D T R R M F M P P

L D T O F E O E R I D E

L X N E P M X O H U D O

U X E P R O T E C T O R

F R G G P Y S C J Z O Q

F L U F R E Y A R P L M

MARY

QUEEN OF PEACE

MOTHER OF GOD

FULL OF GRACE

FREE FROM SIN

CARER

PROTECTOR

PRAYERFUL

GENTLE

OUR MOTHER

Sunday lunchEnjoy a meal out at one of our listedrestaurants

Grill on the SquarePalmyra Square North, Warrington01925 234077

MatouGeorges Parade, Pier Head, Liverpool0151 236 2928

Bistro Franc1 Hanover Street, Liverpool0151 708 9993

The Marsh CatMostyn Square, Parkgate, Wirral0151 336 1963

Italian Club FishBold Street Liverpool0151 707 2110

Hen & ChickenPrescot Road, Maghull0151 520 1121

join in

Mushroom Stroganoff350grm Tagliatelle1 Onion chopped225grm Mushrooms (sliced)1 Clove garlic (crushed)2tbs Paprika4tbs White wine1tbs Tomato puree1tbs Lemon juice150ml Creme fraiche2tbs Chopped parsley1tbs Olive oil

Cook pasta as pack suggests, heat oliveoil, add onion and mushrooms, fry overhigh heat until golden. Add garlic andpaprika, stir and add wine, tomato pureeand lemon juice and stir for a couple ofminutes.Add creme fraiche and stir gently, Drainpasta and divide over four plates. Topwith mushroom mix and scatter withparsley.

Recipe of the month

More Mullarkey

Audio copy of the Pic out nowAn audio version of the ‘CatholicPictorial’ is available free of charge,compiled by students, techniciansand Chaplain, Helen Molyneux, atAll Hallows RC High School,Penwortham

Anyone interested in receiving theaudio copy should contact KevinLonergan Tel: 01772 744148 or01772 655433 (home).

From Johnny Kennedy

The young curate had just come back from the Senior Citizens' Party.

“How did it go?” asked Father Mullarkey.

“It was good,” said the YC. “Everyone enjoyed themselves and the dinnerwas excellent and then we had a singsong with two chaps on banjos.”

“Sounds as though it was a great afternoon,” said the auld fella.

“It was, except that when I was selling the raffle tickets, the monsignorwouldn't buy one.”

“Doesn't surprise me,” said Father Mullarkey. “I've known him for years.He went to Blackpool for a week once and spent £4. If he was a ghost hewouldn't give yer a fright.”


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JOHN W. GRIFFITH & SONSINDEPENDENT FAMILY FUNERAL DIRECTORS

(Incorporating Gibbons)

GRANGE BANK FUNERAL HOMEGRANGE ROAD,WEST KIRBY, WIRRAL

0151-625 7606(Opp. Post Office)

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We are available 24 Hours, 7 days a Week. As near as you telephone. our service extends throughout Merseyside

TheJesuitsFor information about life as a priest or brother

in the Society of Jesus please contact

Vocations Promoter114 Mount Street

London W1K 3AHemail: [email protected]

www.jesuit.org.uk

Wanted for theMissions

Large Statues (Even damaged ones), old vestments,pictures, church fittings, rosaries, prayer books, etc.

Please ring Mr. B. Ferris KSC, 102 Moor St, Earlsdon,

Coventry CV5 6EYTel: 02476 676986

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To advertise on this page please contact Andy. Tel 0151 709 7567 or email [email protected]

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Holly Lodge Girls’ CollegeOfsted Inspection Success

CONGRATULATIONS!

Come and see this successful school in actionOpen Day Tuesday 10th July

1-3pm & 4-6pm

Holly Lodge Girls’ College

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