Theme of Prayer and Discernment
Where: Liverpool
When : February 20th - 22nd 2009
Cost : Donation only
For more information, please contact Sr Lynne: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
By air from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Friday 24th to Friday 31st July 2009. Also overland by coach. Pilgrims who will need help with mobility, nursing or medical care on the journey or in Lourdes should register as soon as possible with the Lourdes Pilgrimage Office (0151 727 4000). Closing date for registration: 31st March 2009. The Tour Operator for 2009 is Leisure Time Travel (0151 287 8000). For further details, please see poster at the back of church.
Mass in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes
Wednesday 11th February 2009 at 7.30 pm
Christ the King, Childwall
Lourdes Jubilee DVD
A commemorative DVD to celebrate the Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes during the Jubilee Year has been made and is on sale for £5. All proceeds will go to Pilgrimage Funds. To order a copy, phone 01925 221437 or email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Canon Seamus Cunningham, at present Administrator of the vacant Diocese, to become the 13th Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle. He will be ordained bishop and installed in St Mary’s Cathedral Church, Newcastle on Friday, 20 March 2009 at 12 noon - the feast of St Cuthbert, patron of the Diocese.
The Bishop-elect, aged 66, has completed almost 43 years priestly service to the Diocese. Born on 7 July 1942 at Castlebar, Co Mayo, Ireland, he was educated at local schools, which included St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen at which Bishop James Cunningham (1957-1974) had also been a student for a short time. Seamus Cunningham studied for the priesthood at St John’s College, Waterford, where he was ordained priest for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle on 12 June 1966. He began as assistant priest in Our Lady and St Joseph’s parish, Brooms, in North West Durham, from September 1966 until August 1971. From 1971 Â 1972 he was at English Martyrs, Newcastle upon Tyne. Then spent one year, 1972 Â 1973, at the new Corpus Christi College, London preparing to begin work as a Diocesan Religious Education and Cathechetics advisor, he returned to live and work in the Cathedral but also visited our schools throughout the Diocese. In 1978 he succeeded Father Leo Pyle as Director of Religious Education in the Diocese and also as Chaplain to St Mary’s Teaching Training College of the Sacred Heart of Education at Fenham. From 1984 to 1987 he spent three years as Spiritual Director to student s for the priesthood at Ushaw College, Durham. In 1987 he returned to St Mary’s Cathedral where he was to spend the next 10 years as Administrator and Parish Priest. He was appointed to the Chapter of Canons shortly afterwards. He moved to his present parish of St Oswin’s, Tynemouth and St Mary’s, Cullercoats in 1988 after a short sabbatical in the States. Bishop Ambrose Griffiths had appointed him one of four Vicars General in 2001. Bishop Kevin Dunn appointed Canon Cunningham as the sole Vicar General. He held this post until the Bishop’s death on 1 March 2008. He was with him and his family throughout his illness and death, and was elected Diocesan Administrator on 2 March 2008.
Such a long, varied and wide experience of pastoral, educational and administrative work throughout the diocese has made him known as a quiet builder of both parish and diocesan communities.
Canon Cunningham said: “Although I was surprised to be asked to undertake this task, I am glad that the Diocese will not have to face another change of style within very few years. I hope to start by continuing Bishop Kevin’s initiatives before seeking anew what will be best at this time to meet the many challenges in spreading the Gospel today and working with other church bodies and the civil authorities”.
The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool and Vice President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, is leading a group of European and North American Bishops to the Holy Land from 9th to 15th January. Leaving Liverpool for the Middle East, the Archbishop said:
‘Everyone I meet at this time speaks with immense sadness of the suffering and destruction taking place in Gaza and the fears of the people in Israel because of rocket attacks. Having visited the Holy Land many times and Gaza once, this sadness reflects my own heart at this time. The conflict has deep roots but the priority now must be the immediate end to all violence. Violence is evil especially when it blocks humanitarian relief desperately needed. Because the roots are so deep and complex this outburst of violence cries out for such wise and courageous leadership that justice for all those for whom the Holy Land is home is achieved so that all violence is relegated to the past and peace shall be secured for generations to come.
‘Because of my brief visit to Gaza and messages from there in recent days I am also very conscious at this time of the small Christian community living in Gaza. The people, religious sisters and parish priest, Fr Manuel, need our prayers as they struggle to witness to the Gospel of Peace. The Church in the Holy Land has a unique vocation and this week I will be travelling to Bethlehem along with Bishops from Europe and North America to be in solidarity with the Latin Patriarch and the Local Church through the Holy Land Coordination. This is one of the means by which we seek to stand alongside the Christians living throughout Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
‘The purpose of the Holy Land co-ordination has always been to accompany the Churches in the Holy Land in their fidelity to two God-given tasks: never to be silent in the face of injustice or violence and always to proclaim and live the reconciliation accomplished by our Lord on a hill called Calvary. The situation in Gaza makes this visit of solidarity, above all in prayer, by Bishops from North America and Europe a clear call from the Holy Spirit as we begin 2009.
‘I join with the Holy Father and the leaders of the Church in the Holy Land in their prayer for the dead, the injured, the broken hearted, those who mourn and live night and day in fear. We all need the fulfilment of that blessing first entrusted by the Lord God to Moses:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the lord uncover his face to you and bring you peace�.’
The Holy Land Co-ordination meets every January in the Holy Land with the aim of acting in solidarity with local Christians and sharing in the pastoral life of the local Church as it experiences intense political and social-economic pressure.
My dear people,
Old age: Abraham: Sarah: Simeon: Anna: old men and women: no doubt what I must write about this year on the Feast of the Holy Family: old age. No problem about what: easy.
Then I remembered: a psalm says: “our span is 70 years, and 80 for those who are strong. I was 70 in November. I have my Senior Rail Card, State Pension, Bus Pass and Winter Heating Fuel Allowance. Am I really an OAP?
I look at photos of my father and uncles and aunts when they were only 60 and wonder: do I look as old as that? And I have to admit: twice, in London, when I was not wearing my dog collar I’ve been offered a seat on a crowded tube.
First of all I do not want to wear rose-tinted spectacles about old age. I remember with gratitude what my mother once said when the arthritis was bad and instead of her once boundless energy most days were spent in a chair: “Well, Patrick, I know our Lord was crucified, but at least he never knew what it was like to be old.
But next: I have no idea if I feel or look 30, 50, 70 or 80. I just don’t know. So my first lesson for any real conversation with others, especially those who are older: watch: listen and learn how they see and feel themselves to be. No hasty: “snap out of it” or “we’ll soon have you on your feet again. Enter their life with respect: receive them as they are to themselves: in a phrase, so often repeated: “God loves us as we are? But then I think of the scene in the film the Lord of the Rings: Wormtongue, by whispering bad news, gloomy tales, suggesting frailty and helplessness has made King Theoden into a bent, fearful, timid, helpless old man. Gandalf brings light, and challenge and courage and Theoden’s face becomes young again and his arm strong.
So, while we begin full of respect, we will not allow anyone to be old, afraid, alone, helpless before their time. It is the same for us as it is with God: it is true that God loves us as we are, but he loves us far too much to leave us as we are. We will not be to anyone a Wormtongue: whispering dark rumours and frightful tales to bring them down. We will love others too much just to leave them as they are. I am never quite sure what I may be asked to do when I visit our High Schools: some of our School Chaplains and Teachers of RE have wicked senses of humour. But I do not mind: they will not let me be just 70, a “twirly? when it comes to buses, allowed to sit in an armchair wearing slippers.
And this year when families are afraid and anxious about mortgages, employment, pensions, I suggest we receive this invitation from Saint Paul: “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Christ, so that each family and our family, the Church, upbuilds itself in love.
I have no way of knowing what 2009 will bring: I do not understand what is happening in the economy or where it will all end; I have no solution to suggest. But I am certain: all may receive the blessing proclaimed when we come to Mass on New Year’s Day, the Day of Mary, Mother of the Lord:
“May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord uncover his face to you
and bring you peace.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+ PATRICK A. KELLY
Archbishop of Liverpool
CHRISTMAS EVE
Wednesday 24th December
6.00 pm St Gabriel’s & St Richard’s
6.30 pm Sacred Heart, Leigh
7.00 pm Twelve Apostles
9.30 pm St Richard’s
11.30 pm Holy Family & St Ambrose Barlow
Midnight Sacred Heart, Leigh
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday 25th December
8.30 am St Joseph’s
9.00 am Holy Family (Children’s Mass)
9.30 am St Richard’s
10.00 am Sacred Heart, Leigh
10.30 am St Joseph’s
11.00 am Holy Family, St Ambrose Barlow
& Our Lady of the Rosary
Midnight Mass at the Cathedral will be broadcast live
on BBC Radio 4 at 11.30 pm.
Advent Nativity Service
The children from St. Ambrose Barlow invite everyone to their annual Advent Nativity in the church today (Sunday) at 4.00 pm. It is always a wonderful service. Children young and old are invited to take part. Mince pies and drinks are available after. All welcome.
Festival Carol Service
Today (Sunday) at 5.00 pm at Holy Family. A gentle service of prayers, readings and carols, lasting about 40 minutes, to help us ‘chill out’ and prepare for the great Feast of Christmas. The service will be followed by mince pies and mulled wine at the back of church.
Dr John Sentamu, the Anglican Archbishop of York, has called for the international community to bring an end to the “charade of power sharing” and to remove the administration of Robert Mugabe from power in Zimbabwe.
Writing in The Observer Newspaper yesterday, Dr Sentamu compared the situation in Zimbabwe to that he faced as a dissident in Uganda under Idi Amin: “Where are the African governments or leaders with the courage of Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, who ousted Idi Amin after recognising that his neighbour had become a tyrant and who marched an army into Uganda to bring an end to the killing fields? In Uganda, we were beaten, tortured, abused and hundreds were murdered, but never did we starve to death or see the level of suffering which is to be found in today’s Zimbabwe.”
Dr Sentamu also called for the international community to recognise that the power sharing agreement between Zanu Pf and MDC was “dead” and had failed: “As cholera devastates a Zimbabwe already on its knees, our Prime Minister, our Foreign Secretary and the US Secretary of State have all called for an end to the regime of Mugabe. Now these voices must unite for a further call to bring an end to the charade of power-sharing that has enabled Mugabe to remain in office, assisted by his ruthless politburo. The time has come for the international community to recognise that the power-sharing deal signed in September is dead. The impasse within the South African-sponsored negotiations between the MDC and Zanu PF has been sustained by a Mugabe regime which is unwilling to give up power and refuses to recognise the rule of law.”
The Archbishop also urged the international community to bring Robert Mugabe and his closest supporters before The Hague to stand trial for their crimes against the people of Zimbabwe: “The time has come for Mugabe to answer for his crimes against humanity, against his countrymen and women and for justice to be done. The winds of change that once brought hope to Zimbabwe and its neighbours have become a hurricane of destruction with the outbreak of cholera, destitution, starvation and systemic abuse of power by the state. As a country cries out for justice, we can no longer be inactive to their call. Mugabe and his henchmen must now take their rightful place in the Hague and answer for their actions. The time to remove them from power has come.”
Urging the international community not to shirk from its responsibility, the Archbishop also quoted Martin Luther King, suggesting that: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”
Carols by Candlelight - In the grounds of Sacred Heart Church, Hindsford, on Tuesday 9th December at 7.00 pm.
Advent Service of Reconciliation - Tuesday 9th December at 7.30 pm at Twelve Apostles
Advent Service of Reconciliation - Wednesday 10th December at 7.30 pm at St Richard’s
Leigh Churches Scripture Group - Wednesday 10th December, 7.30 - 9.00 pm, at Sacred Heart, Leigh.
Advent Holy Hour - Thursday 11th December, 7.00 - 8.00 pm, at Holy Family.
Atherton Outdoor Nativity - Atherton Town Centre on Friday December 12th at approximately 6.00 pm.
Churches Together in Boothstown - Outdoor Carol Service at Boothstown Precinct on Sunday 14th December at 5.00 pm.
Want to make sure the money you spend on cards and presents this year goes to good causes? More and more Catholic charities are selling cards and presents this year. The following charities have a good selection available on-line.
Aid to the Church in Need have a large selection of cards, books, gifts and music. For a catalogue contact: Tel: 0845 241 6068 Email : .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or see their on-line shop at: http://www.acn.org.uk
CAFOD has a superb range of fair-traded gifts, clothing, jewelry and books. You can also give gifts certificates that will provide people in the developing with useful items such as seeds, chickens compost worms and gardening kits. Call 0207 733 7900 for a catalogue or visit the on-line shop at: http://www.cafod.org.uk/worldgifts.
HCPT the charity which takes young people with special needs to Lourdes has presents for children and adults as well as a good selection of cards. Call them on : 01788564646 or visit their on-line shop at: http://www.hcpt.org.uk/
The Pattaya Orphanage, a Redemptorist charity which runs projects in Thailand with street children, the blind, deaf, disabled and Aids orphans has an on-line shop at: http://www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk/
Wine from the Holy Land
For a present with a difference you could buy wine from the Cremisan Monastery in Bethlehem, For more information see: http://www.5thgospelretreats.co.uk or call Della Shenton on 01579 340844 or 07808 957604 email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Finally, Independent Catholic News is opening a shop this week, selling books, CDs, DVDs, Fairtrade toys and religious gifts. Most goods are delivered anywhere in the UK within 48 hours. As a franchise of Amazon, prices are the same but for every purchase you make, a 5% commission is paid to ICN. To visit the shop click on http://www.indcatholicnews.com/shop.html
Fr Arthur will be received into Ince Blundell for Mass at 7.00pm on Wednesday 3rd December.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Ambrose Barlow, Astley, at 11.00am on Thursday 4th December prior to interment in the family grave at Kirkdale Cemetery.
Arthur John Mulcahey was born in Croydon on 4th September 1927, the son of John and Catherine. His early education was spent at Walton RC Primary School, and his ecclesiastical studies were undertaken at Upholland College. He was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in 1980, serving at Blessed Sacrament, Aintree, and went on to study for the priesthood, receiving ordination at Blessed Sacrament on 31st March 1984.
His first appointment after his priestly ordination was to Blessed Sacrament, Aintree, where he remained until February 1988, when he moved to St Mary, Wigan. In August 1989 he was appointed to St Sylvester, Liverpool. His final appointment, in October 1992, was to St Ambrose Barlow, Astley, as Parish Priest. He retired from active service in 2002 and moved to Holmechase House, Southport. Following a period of poor health, he had recently moved to Ince Blundell where he remained until his death on Thursday evening, 27th November. He was 81 years of age.
May he know the Joy of the Lord.
Last night, we received the sad news that Fr Arthur, former Parish Priest of St Ambrose Barlow, has died. He will be greatly missed, especially by his many friends and the parishioners of St Ambrose Barlow.
Fr Arthur’s Funeral Mass will be at St Ambrose Barlow. Details have yet to be arranged, but will be posted on the website and announced in all the parishes as soon as they are finalised.
Please pray for Fr Arthur and for the parishioners of St Ambrose Barlow. As Arthur is welcomed by God our Father into the new life of heaven, may hear our Lord say: “Well done, good and faithful servant, come and share the joy of the Lord”.
Two charities in Manchester, who undertake a wonderful and holy ministry to the homeless, are deserving of our support this Christmas:
The Windsor Drop-In Centre
Website: http://www.manchestercitymission.com (click on ‘Projects’ on the left-hand menu)
The Barnabas Project
Website: http://www.barnabus-manchester.org.uk
Our common bond: a fragile global financial system - Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor
Within a few weeks what began as a “credit crunch” turned into a financial crisis and has now become a global recession. Religious leaders are not normally economists. However, they cannot ignore the damaging human consequences of the rise and fall of economic indicators. Behind the gloomy headlines are cities, neighbourhoods, families, individuals deeply affected by the economic breakdown; and the hardest hit will be the poor: those already struggling to survive.
Christians have a paramount concern for the poor. This “preferential option for the poor” is a constant theme in Catholic social teaching. The biblical concept of justice implies that the justice of a community is measured by how it treats the powerless. And a “globalised” world, must consider not only the poor and marginalised in the West, but also the eight hundred million people outside it who are living in absolute poverty, together with the half a billion who are chronically hungry. It is right for religious leaders to insist that in formulating our economic and commercial policies we must take full account of their implications for the poor, both at home and in the rest of the world. Any new dispensation of world economy which does not address the extreme marginalisation of rich and poor does not merit consideration.
The Church neither condemns the market economy nor canonises it. Christians recognise that the market, like money itself, is an essential element in the conduct of human affairs. But the laws by which it operates are not blind. They follow from and can be moderated by human actions and decisions. So those who operate the market have an obligation to promote the common good and to safeguard against those most adept at exploiting it. Governments and regulators have a part in this, but all of us not only bankers, business leaders and financiers must consider the moral implications of what we are doing and whether we are contributing, in however small a way, to promoting the common good and not to the perpetration of injustice. There is nothing immoral in wanting to be prosperous. But are economic growth and ever-increasing material prosperity the sole criteria of a healthy or successful society? Although the majority of people in the developed world are better off financially than they were 40 years ago, has this brought social, emotional and spiritual well-being?
Today’s common bond appears to be a shared uneasiness with the present state of society, which clearly is a society not at ease with itself since no-one can escape the consequences of a fragile global financial system that binds us all together.
It seems that the present crisis may be a kairos: an opportunity for stocktaking about what we understand by the common good; about what national or social success means; about what it means to be human. It is an opportunity to recognise that ensuring social justice cannot be left to governments, politicians and the market, but depends on our day to day decisions and on the goals we set.
The Youth SVP Swimathon has raised the magnificent sum of £1132.09. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported them. This money will be used to support the charitable work the young people will undertake locally over the next twelve months.
The Youth SVP is for young people (Years 8-13 in High School). The group meets every Monday during term time at Holy Family Presbytery: 6.30 - 7.30 pm. New members are always welcome. Contact Fr Dave for further details.