Colour issue

Apr-Jun 2016
ISSN 2059-8866
SACRE
Year of Mercy
Music at Douai
Internet Dating
Life as a Hermit
Teacher Training
Justice and Peace
Guild of St Stephen
… plus all our regular features
The Catholic Diocese
of Portsmouth magazine
PORTSMOUTH
Jay Kettle-Williams
Apr-Jun 2016
PEOPLE
WINDOWS AND MIRRORS
‘You shop, we drop’ must be one of the most bewitching
positioning statements of all time. It’s so clever.
Hopefully the marketing guru who came up with that
idea is now retired, deservedly languishing on some
desert island, free of all cares. Job done!
The terms ‘marketing’, ‘outreach’, ‘evangelisation’ – all
concerned with getting the word out there - come
under the one common banner. I remember asking,
‘What is marketing?’ at one point in my career. I
suppose I could have asked, ‘What is evangelisation?”
instead. To this day I remember the immediate,
peremptory reply: ‘What isn’t?’ Then the flood gates
opened and I was hit with an absolute deluge of topics
ranging from dealing with routes to market, enquiries,
phone calls, corporate literature, the offer, company
strapline, its branding, packaging … the list went on and
on.
Do we think of PP as an exercise in marketing? I
suppose we could. I suppose we do. For, apart from PP
being the mirror in which we see ourselves, PP is the
window through which we are seen by others.
I’ve been trying to think of a suitable positioning
statement to complement the wordy strap ‘Life-style
magazine for those practising or interested in the
Catholic faith’. Perhaps you can help by suggesting
something particularly canny. In the meantime I
sign off with Portsmouth People …
in witness whereof as I prompt
you to keep hold, turn the
page and read on.
Portsmouth People,
life-style magazine for those
practising or interested
in the Catholic faith
CONTENTS
Bishop’s Bulletin
2
The Life of a Hermit by Sr M. Benedicta 3
Letter from Pope Francis
4
Teens & 20s by Hollie Marriott-Veck
6
Quotable Quotes
7
Parson’s Pointers by John Parsons
7
Personality Profile:
8
Behind the Scenes:
8
St Vincent de Paul Society
What’s in a Word: Crucifixion
9
Movers and Shakers
10
Music at Douai Abbey
10
by Dr John Rowntree
Prie-Dieu by Fr Denis Blackledge
12
Live Issues: Emergency:
12
Mayday, Mayday!
This is IT!
13
Reviews
14
Priest’s Profile: Canon Richard Hind RIP 16
by Canon David Hopgood
A Broader View by Lawrence Fullick
17
News and Announcements
18
Hints & Wrinkles
18
Just for Juniors
20
Faith in Action: Guild of St Stephen
21
Crossword
22
Fascinating Facts & Figures
22
Tom’s Travelogue by Fr Tom Grufferty
23
Doreen Yates RIP
24
by Canon Dominic Golding
Justice and Peace
25
Sacre
25
Portsmouth Catholics take Action
26
by Leah Parker-Turnock
28
Our Hope of Eternal Life
by Fr Jeremy Corley
Church in Focus: St Patrick, Hayling Island
Acknowledgements: Candle Books for kind permission to reproduce the illustrations on p20 from Jumbo Bible Activity Book ©
2009 Lion Hudson plc.; Catholic Concern for Animals for release of images; Guild of St Stephen for release of copy and images
from www.guildofststephen.org; The Week; Wikipedia's texts, e.g. the revised, amended copy under What’s in a Word, adapted
and/or images adopted from http://en.wikipedia.org under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
Cover photograph © JLKW: Crucifix above the altar at St John’s Cathedral
Photographs ©: CAFOD/David Mutua; Catholic Concern for Animals (Sheep and Goat) from the Laudato Si edition of The Ark
available from www.catholic-animals.com; Dorota Cimochowska (New members to the Guild of St Stephen); JLKW (Various);
Mike Peacock (Church in Focus)
Every reasonable effort is made to ensure that due acknowledgement, when appropriate, is made to the originator of any
image submitted for publication. It is understood that those submitting material for publication in Portsmouth People either
hold the copyright or have arranged for publication with the appropriate authority.
PP distribution schedule for 2016 is at the start
of each quarter.
Copy for publication in PP should be received
as far in advance as possible of the first
working day of the month prior to that of
publication/distribution. Submission of copy
can be no guarantee of publication. Further
details on p28. Guidelines for submission of
contributions (text and images) and PP
PowerPoint presentation available on request
from The Editor (see p28).
Design and Print: Fizzy Print Ltd
t: 02393 233257
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
1
BISHOP’S BULLETIN
BISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH
Rt Rev Philip A Egan BA, STL, PhD
IN CORDE IESU
First of all, I wish you a happy Easter! We have much to thank
God for. Let us thank the Father for sending us His Son. He died
for us, and now, risen from the dead, He has opened for us the
way to heaven.
‘Make a pilgrimage to one of our
shrine-churches’
Some more Good News. In this Year of Mercy, it has been
wonderful seeing so many people coming to the Cathedral,
crossing the Holy Door and celebrating the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. Please do take the opportunity yourself, if you
have not yet done so, to make a pilgrimage to one of our
shrine-churches, the Cathedral or St Edmund’s, Abingdon.
‘Do not forget the plight of the
migrant-refugees’
It was also a wonderful sight seeing the large number of people
who gathered at the Cathedral in February for the Rite of
Election. These are the men and women, young and old, who
have been preparing for Baptism this Easter and for reception
into the full communion of the Catholic Church. We wish them
our congratulations and best wishes. May the Lord grant them
His love and grace these next few weeks as they begin to
participate fully in the life of the Church as newly commissioned missionary-disciples.
‘Ask the Holy Spirit to guide
our politicians’
Even more good news! I ask your prayers for the many
youngsters who during these next weeks of Eastertide will
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. For many of them and
their families, it will be their first visit to the Cathedral, or the
first after a long time. When we moved ad experimentum the
celebration of this Sacrament to the Cathedral from the
pastoral areas and parishes, it was because I wanted them to
receive it here in the mother church of our diocese. As the chief
shepherd and successor of the Apostles, I wanted to send them
out across the diocese on mission to spread the Good News. I
ought to add that I was also keen that as with First Holy
Communions, there should be a celebration (a ‘Going Forth
Mass’ and party or reception) in the parish the following
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PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
weekend. This was to tie in with the new two-year formation
programme for Confirmation, the first year leading up to the
Liturgy, the second year, in which the newly-confirmed
continued their prayer, formation and fellowship whilst
engaging in a practical work of charity within the local
community.
‘Remember those being ordained’
Meanwhile, as our country prepares for the European
referendum, please do not forget the plight of the migrantrefugees, escaping war and destitution. With our newly formed
diocesan Caritas, I had planned to visit the refugee camp in
Calais and had arranged to meet the Bishop of Arras together
with representatives from the French relief agency Secours
Catholique. The aim was to find ways in which as a diocese we
might help. Unfortunately, because of the recent relocation of
the camp, the visit has not been possible. The migrant-refugee
crisis is complex, with different facets and challenges. Please
pray for peace in Syria and the Middle East. During this Easter
season, ask the Holy Spirit to guide our politicians and policymakers in finding new ways to alleviate suffering and to resolve
the causes of this crisis.
‘Please pray too for all our youth’
Over these Spring days, please remember those being ordained
priest or deacon this summer. Please pray too for all our youth
as we prepare for World Youth Day. May Mary, Mother of Mercy,
pray for us all. May she unite us more closely with her Divine
Son, Jesus Christ, Whose Heart is full of compassion and love.
In Corde Iesu,
+Philip
Bishop of Portsmouth
FAITH IN ACTION
The Life of a Hermit
Sr M Benedicta Arndt reflects on the life of a hermit
T
he word ‘hermit’ comes from
the Greek ‘eremos’ conveying a
sense of being lonely or alone
and ‘eremia’, meaning the
desert. Another word used for
people living as solitaires is
‘anachorites’
as
opposed
to
‘coenobites’, the latter meaning ‘people
living in community’. We know of
Jewish hermits living on Mount Carmel
around the 7th century BC. And of
course one of the most famous OldTestament hermits was the Prophet
Elijah, sent by the Lord to live in the
desert: ‘Go east and hide by the torrent
of Cherith, east of the Jordan. You can
drink from the stream, and I have
ordered the ravens to bring you food
there’ (1Ki 17:1-7).
Monastic Family of Bethlehem and St
Bruno which was founded in 1950.
Even though often praised, admired
and imitated, such a life was despised,
feared, and ridiculed as well. And it is
only in our times that the vocation of
hermit life found its acknowledgement
in the official legislation of the Roman
Catholic Church.
At the heart of hermit life lays the
praise of God and the salvation of the
world. The hermit too is a worker in the
Lord’s vineyard.
Suggested reading:
Sr M Benedicta with Bishop Philip
and Fr Bruce Barnes
Eremitical life is a vocation for a
hidden life in solitude and simplicity
but still dependant on outside help for
sustenance. Actually being a hermit is
the original form of monasticism. Early
communities of monks were hermits
living near each other in the deserts of
the Middle East. The life of St Antony
The Great (245-356) became famous
through the biography written by St
Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria
(295-373), and served as an inspiration
throughout the Christian world of that
time as well as down through the ages.
Following the call into the desert as a
solitaire was one option, but some
orders have subsequently developed
the Egyptian eremitical ideal, such as
the Italian order of the Camaldolese
monks and nuns founded by St
Romuald in 1012 adopting the rule of
St Benedict for hermit life. Or the order
of St Bruno, the Carthusians, founded
near Grenoble in France in 1084. Both
these orders still exist today and from
time to time new branches develop
from their roots. For example the
Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria (1992)
Life of Saint Antony. Cairo, Egypt: St
Antony Monastery, Red Sea - Nubar
Printing House.
Harmless SJ, W. (2004) Desert Christians
An Introduction to the Literature of early
monasticism. Oxford, New York: Oxford
University Press.
Monk, A. (1999) The Hermitage within.
London, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Darton,
Longman and Todd / Cistercian
Publications Inc. WMU Station.
The unabridged version of this article
appears as an online supplement to this
issue of Portsmouth People at
www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
There is the lovely story of the raven
who looked after St Antony providing
him with half a loaf of bread each day.
One day however, when Antony
decided to go and visit a fellow hermit,
St Paul of the desert, the raven came to
St Paul’s hermitage and brought a full
loaf of bread to feed both of them.
PEOPLE
3
LETTER
COMMUNICATION AND MERCY:
A FRUITFUL ENCOUNTER
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
on the relati onshi p betwe en
The Holy Year of Merc y invite s all of us to reflec t
, the living incarnation of
comm unica tion and mercy . The Church, in union with Christ
the distinctive trait of all that
the Father of Mercies, is called to practise mercy as
word and gesture, ought to
she is and does. What we say and how we say it, our every
for all. Love, by its natur e, is
express God’s compassion, tenderness and forgiveness
hearts and actions are inspired by
comm unica tion; it leads to openness and sharing. If our
ed by God’s own power.
charity, by divine love, then our communication will be touch
unica te with every one, without exception. In a
As sons and daughters of God, we are called to comm
to convey mercy, to touch people’s hearts and to
particular way, the Church’s words and actions are all meant
Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to bring to all.
sustain them on their journey to that fullness of life which
t the warmth of Mother Church and to share that
This means that we ourselves must be willing to accep
That warmth is what gives substance to the word
warmth with others, so that Jesus may be known and loved.
’ which gives them life.
of faith; by our preaching and witness, it ignites the ‘spark
enable encounter and inclusion, and thus to enrich
Comm unica tion has the powe r to build bridg es, to
words and actions with care, in the effort to avoid
society. How beautiful it is when people select their
to build peace and harmony. Words can build bridges
misunderstandings, to heal wounded memories and
and peoples. This is possi ble both in the mate rial
between individuals and within families, social groups
be such as to help us all escape the vicious circles
world and the digita l world . Our words and actions should
re individuals and nations, encouraging expressions of
of condemnation and vengeance which continue to ensna
encouragement to communion and, even in those cases
hatred. The words of Christians ought to be a constant
try to rupture relationships and communication.
where they must firmly condemn evil, they should never
will to rediscover the power of mercy to heal wounded
For this reason, I would like to invite all people of good
es and communities. All of us know how many ways
relationships and to restore peace and harmony to famili
individuals and stand in the way of communication and
ancient wounds and lingering resentments can entrap
en peoples. In every case, mercy is able to create a
reconciliation. The same holds true for relationships betwe
ntly when he said: ‘The qualit y of mercy is not
new kind of speech and dialogue. Shakespeare put it eloque
n upon the place benea th. It is twice bless ed: it
strai ned. It dropp eth as the gentl e rain from heave
ant of Venice, Act IV, Scene I).
bless eth him that gives and him that takes ’ (The Merch
inspired by mercy, which never loses hope. I ask those
Our political and diplomatic language would do well to be
charged with forming public opinion, to remain
with institutional and political responsibility, and those
think or act differently or those who may have made
especially attentive to the way they speak of those who
t such situations to stoke the flames of mistrust,
mistakes. It is easy to yield to the temptation to exploi
towards processes of reconciliation. It is precisely
fear and hatred. Instead, courage is needed to guide people
solutions to ancient conflicts and the opportunity to
such positive and creative boldness which offers real
they will be called childr en of God’ (Mt 5:7-9)
build lasting peace. ‘Bless ed are the peace make rs, for
as our service as pastors of the Church, may never
How I wish that our own way of communicating, as well
, or demean those whom the world considers lost
suggest a prideful and triumphant superiority over an enemy
les and offer warmth to those who have known only
and easily discarded. Mercy can help mitigate life’s troub
help to overcome the mindset that neatly separates
the coldness of judgment. May our way of communicating
situations of sin – such as violence, corruption and
sinners from the righteous. We can and we must judge
God can see into the depths of their hearts. It is our
exploitation – but we may not judge individuals, since only
and injustice of certain ways of acting, for the sake
task to admonish those who err and to denounce the evil
fallen. The Gospel of John tells us that ‘the truth will
of setting victims free and raising up those who have
himself, whose gentle mercy is the yardstick for
make you free’ (Jn 8:32). The truth is ultimately Christ
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PEOPLE
… FROM THE POPE
measuring the way we proclaim the truth and condemn injustice. Our primary task is to uphold the truth with
love (cf. Eph 4:15). Only words spoken with love and accompanied by meekness and mercy can touch our sinful
hearts. Harsh and moralistic words and actions risk further alienating those whom we wish to lead to
conversion and freedom, reinforcing their sense of rejection and defensiveness.
Some feel that a vision of society rooted in mercy is hopelessly idealistic or excessively indulgent. But let us
try and recall our first experience of relationships, within our families. Our parents loved us and valued us
for who we are more than for our abilities and achieveme nts. Parents naturally want the best for their
children, but that love is never dependent on their meeting certain conditions. The family home is one place
where we are always welcome (cf. Lk 15:11-32). I would like to encourage everyone to see society not
as a forum where strangers compete and try to come out on top, but above all as a home or a family,
where the door is always open and where everyone feels welcome.
For this to happen, we must first listen. Communica ting means sharing, and sharing demands listening
and acceptanc e. Listening is much more than simply hearing. Hearing is about receiving information, while
listening is about communica tion, and calls for closeness. Listening allows us to get things right, and not
simply to be passive onlookers, users or consumers. Listening also means being able to share questions and
doubts, to journey side by side, to banish all claims to absolute power and to put our abilities and gifts at the
service of the common good.
Listening is never easy. Many times it is easier to play deaf. Listening means paying attention, wanting to
understand, to value, to respect and to ponder what the other person says. It involves a sort of martyrdom or
self-sacrifice, as we try to imitate Moses before the burning bush: we have to remove our sandals when
standing on the ‘holy ground’ of our encounter with the one who speaks to me (cf. Ex 3:5). Knowing how to
listen is an immense grace, it is a gift which we need to ask for and then make every effort to practice.
Emails, text messages, social networks and chats can also be fully human forms of communication. It is not
technology which determines whether or not communication is authentic, but rather the human heart and our
capacity to use wisely the means at our disposal. Social networks can facilitate relationsh ips and promote
the good of society, but they can also lead to further polarizatio n and division between individuals and
groups. The digital world is a public square, a meeting-place where we can either encourage or demean one
another, engage in a meaningful discussion or unfair attacks. I pray that this Jubilee Year, lived in mercy, ‘may
open us to even more fervent dialogue so that we might know and understand one another better; and that it
may eliminate every form of closed-mindedness and disrespect, and drive out every form of violence and
discrimination’ (Misericordiae Vultus, 23). The internet can help us to be better citizens. Access to digital
networks entails a responsibility for our neighbour whom we do not see but who is nonetheless real and has a
dignity which must be respected. The internet can be used wisely to build a society which is healthy and open
to sharing.
Communica tion, wherever and however it takes place, has opened up
broader horizons for many people. This is a gift of God which involves
a great responsibi lity. I like to refer to this power of communication
as ‘closeness’. The encounter between communication and mercy will
be fruitful to the degree that it generates a closeness which cares,
comforts, heals, accompanies and celebrates. In a broken, fragmented
and polarized world, to communicate with mercy means to help create
a healthy, free and fraternal closeness between the children of God and
all our brothers and sisters in the one human family.
FRANCISCUS
The Vatican
[Original text: Italian] [Vatican-provided text]
PEOPLE
5
TEENS & 20s
TEENS & 20s
Hollie Marriott-Veck talks to PP about her forthcoming trip to the
USA as a missionary
‘Well, my name is Hollie and I am a 19-year-old parishioner at Sacred Heart and St Peter the Apostle in
Waterlooville. I am also a past student of Oaklands Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form College.
I am going on a Mission Trip in May as part of my Gap year before I attend The University of Chichester
to study Theology and Religious Studies from September 2016.’
So what called you to Mission work?
‘When I decided to take a year out after finishing Sixth
Form, I prayed for what exactly the Lord wanted me to do.
While praying before the Blessed Sacrament I felt the Lord
calling me to the USA. After researching everything from
holidays to Catholic Retreats I came across The Young
Disciples Apostolate. I began to pray to the Lord asking
him to guide me as to whether I should apply… I did and
I have now been accepted onto the 2016 teams!’
Who are the Young Disciples?
‘The Young Disciples are a group of young people aged 1830 called to evangelise and catechise in rural and Native
American towns and Reservations. They are based in North
Dakota, an upper Midwestern State of the USA. They work
within the Diocese of Fargo to support the Church and
help promote Education, Christian fellowship, and to
spread the Good News.’
How long will you be away and what will you be
doing?
‘I will be away for around 2½ months from the 18 May 2 August. The first 10 days are training; I will be taught
about everything from practical teaching skills, Biblical
and doctrine studies to spiritual life formation. Then we
hit the road and run week-long day camps for children
aged 4-12. They will spend 6 hours a day with us, praying,
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PEOPLE
and studying scripture, playing games and going to Mass.
The teams aim to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for
young people and their families to fellowship and explore
the call of Christ in their lives.’
Where will you be staying?
‘I will be spending my evenings and nights with volunteer
host families from the parish I will be visiting. This gives us
as team members the opportunity to take evangelisation
outside the camps and be a blessing to our hosts and their
community.’
What would you say to anyone thinking about
mission work?
‘Do not be afraid to pray about it. I was totally clueless as
to what I was going to do, but prayer particularly at
Adoration opened my heart and mind to the Lord’s calling
for my life; or at least for this summer! From what I have
heard the joy of evangelisation is truly something amazing
and I hope that I can encourage others to look into how
they can pass on the faith.’
QQs
Quotable Quotes
‘Gratuitously hurtful folk declare that I
am very popular in hospitals because the
listeners abed there are too weak to
reach out and switch me off’
Terry Wogan
‘I love deadlines. I like the whooshing
sound they make as they fly by’
Douglas Adams
‘If God had not intended us to eat
animals, how come He made them out of
meat?’
Sarah Palin
‘There are only two forces in the world,
the sword and the spirit. In the long run
the sword will always be conquered by
the spirit’
Napoleon Bonaparte
‘I don't think he could have done better
if he'd heard what he was playing’
David Brent on Beethoven
‘A well-adjusted person is one who
makes the same mistake twice without
getting nervous’
Alexander Hamilton
‘Everything that wasn't invented by God
was invented by an engineer’
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
‘If we insist on our heroes being pure
then we aren’t going to have any’
Nigel Biggar
‘What lies behind us and what lies before
us are tiny matters compared to what
lies within us’
Ralph Waldo Emerson
‘The most wasted of all days is one
without laughter’
E E Cummings
‘The whole point about comedy is that
all comedy is critical’
John Cleese who now refuses to
perform at unis in protest over
political correctness
‘The Theatre of the Absurd has taken
such root in society that it has now
become society’
Peter Hayward
POINTERS
Parsons Pointers
John Parsons
This column started in December 1998 under the title ‘The Old Hand’s
Column. It later became ‘Parsons Pointers’. If my arithmetic is right this is
number 125 in the series. Inevitably that makes me look back as well as
forward. The first column centred on ecumenism – the search for Unity
among Christians. I am not sure how much progress has been made. In that
first column I drew attention to Pope St John Paul II’s encyclical ‘Ut Unum
Sint’ (That they may all be one). The Pope had made it clear that the search
for unity must be a mainstream activity, not an optional extra. Do we still
stick to that? When one thinks how the new liturgy brought an end to the
shared translations that we enjoyed with the Anglicans I am not so sure.
‘Did you feed me?’
The second column was about the ‘generation gap’ and focussed on the
leap forward in information technology. I doubt whether I had really
grasped quite how extraordinary the IT revolution would be. There seems to
be no end to developments in this field. Fortunately the Church seems well
up-to-date in this respect and uses the latest technology to get the
message of Christianity across.
‘Did you give me to drink?’
But I suppose if we come up to date and start to look to the future the
great challenge is to face up to the devastating pace of secularisation in
our society. Religion is under attack everywhere one looks. And the great
sadness is that in the modern world we need Jesus’ message as much if not
more than ever. In so many ways we can no longer shelter behind our
ignorance. We know what is going on in the world and we are reminded
every day of the needs of so many.
‘Did you clothe me?’
Inevitably at my age one has to face the fact that time is somewhat limited,
to say the least. And so I reminded myself of one of the columns where I
recounted two dreams I had of what lies beyond. In the second there was
a massive oak door bolted and barred. And hanging on the door was a great
big book open at what appeared to be its only two pages. The left-hand
side had writing on it and was headed RULES FOR ENTRY. The right-hand
side was blank except for the heading SCORE CARD.
The RULES FOR ENTRY were straightforward.
1. When I was hungry did you feed me?
2. When I was thirsty did you give me to drink?
3. When I was naked did you clothe me?
And so on.
I can’t tell you how I matched up because I woke up. But I remain ever more
convinced that those are the standards we will be judged on.
John worships at the Church of Our Lady in Fleet and is in the choir
there. He is a keen ecumenist and is a former Chairman of the Diocesan
Commission for Christian Unity. He has been a regular contributor to
Portsmouth People for some years with his column Parsons Pointers.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
7
PROFILE
BTS
PERSONALITY PROFILE
Philip Jackson
Philip Henry Christopher
Jackson CVO DL (born 18
April 1944) is an awardwinning sculptor, noted for
his modern style and
emphasis on form. Acting as
Royal Sculptor to Queen
Elizabeth II, his sculptures
appear in numerous UK
cities, as well as Argentina
and Switzerland.
Scottish-born
Philip
Jackson works at the
Edward Lawrence Studio in Midhurst,
West Sussex. He attended the Farnham
School of Art (now the University for the Creative Arts). After leaving
school, he was a press photographer for a year and then joined a
design company as a sculptor. He is well known for his major outdoor
pieces, notably in our diocese for The Yomper on Southsea seafront
and St John the Evangelist at St John’s Cathedral in Portsmouth.
Philip Jackson says of his art: ‘My sculptures are essentially an impressionistic rendering
of the figure. Where you see the figure seemingly grow out of the ground, the texture
resembles tree bark, rock, or lava flow. As the eye moves up the sculpture, the finish
becomes gentler & more delicately worked, culminating in the hands and the mask,
both of which are precisely observed and modeled.’
With this issue
BEHIND THE SCENES takes a look at …
The St Vincent de Paul Society
Minni Vinnies (at primary school level),
Youth SVP (for older pupils in schools
and parishes) and the 1833 conferences
(for young adults).
he St Vincent de Paul Society
(SVP) maintains a long-standing
presence in the Diocese of
Portsmouth with ‘conferences’ its local branches - going back more
than 90 years.
T
The Society was founded in 1833 by the
Blessed Frederic Ozanam who, with his
friends, used to visit the dangerous
slums of Paris to help alleviate the
suffering. The SVP now has a presence
in 150 countries, having reached
England in 1844.
The Portsmouth Central Council, roughly
congruent with the Diocese, has nearly
400 members across 34 conferences.
Last year 19,279 visits were made to
people in need: single people; families;
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PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
the elderly at home or in care; prisoners;
the homeless and those in hospital. The
SVP liaises with such organisations as
food banks, day centres, night shelters,
family support groups and hostels.
Conferences across the country tend to
thrive in parishes where priests are
supportive.
Recruitment and the foundation of new
conferences is vital if the Society is to
continue to flourish in our Diocese and
so continue to serve Our Lord by serving
those in need. Those in the Society feel
blessed to be members of such an
inspiring organisation which at our
diocesan level is especially grateful for
the prayers and encouragement of
Bishop Philip.
The SVP has three Central Council Youth
Development Officers [see PP Spring
2015 p19] responsible for promoting
conferences in schools and universities -
For further details about the SVP:
Audrey Atter (President of the
Portsmouth Central Council)
e: [email protected]
CRUCIFIXION
What's in a Word: CRUCIFIXION
Crucifixion (Latin: crux nt cross; figere to
bind/tie to) traditionally involves a condemned
person being tied or nailed to a large wooden
cross and left to die.
vagina. All such devices, including spreading
the victim's arms at 60° to 70° from the vertical,
were to cause rapidly increasing pain and to
prolong an agonizing death.
The crucifixion of Jesus occurred during the 1st
century AD, most probably between the years
30 and 33.
Attendant guards were known to increase the
suffering, precipitate death and give a further
warning to others by (1) crurifragium, the
snapping or shattering of the tibia and/or fibula
with an iron club, (2) spearing stab wounds into
the heart, (3) giving sharp blows to the chest
and/or (4) lighting a fire at the foot of the cross
to asphyxiate the victim.
Jesus' crucifixion is described in the four
canonical gospels, referred to in the New
Testament Epistles, attested to by other ancient
sources, and is established as a historical event
confirmed by non-Christian sources.
The length of time before death could range
from hours to days depending on method, the
victim's health, the environment. Death could
result from any combination of causes: blood
loss, sepsis following infection of the wounds or
dehydration.
Jesus had been arrested, tried, and sentenced by
Pontius Pilate to be scourged, and finally
crucified by the Romans.
Crucifixion was used to punish slaves, pirates,
and enemies of the state. It was considered the
most shameful and disgraceful way to die.
Condemned Roman citizens were usually
exempt from crucifixion except when they were
being punished for major crimes against the
state, such as high treason.
Under ancient Roman penal practice,
crucifixion was also a means of exhibiting the
criminal's low social status. It was the most
dishonourable death imaginable, originally
reserved for slaves, hence still called
‘supplicium servile’ by Seneca, later extended to
citizens of the lower classes (humiliores). The
citizen class of Roman society were almost
never subject to capital punishments; instead,
they were fined or exiled. Josephus mentions
Jews of high rank who were crucified, but this
was to point out that their status had been
taken away from them.
Scourging - i.e. whipping and lashing - often
before crucifixion caused heavy loss of blood
prompting a state of shock. The condemned
might then have to shoulder the crossbeam
(patibulum), weighing around 75-125 pounds
Previously owned by and kept on the desk of
Blessed John Henry Newman, this crucifix was
presented to The Rt Rev Anthony Joseph Emery
(1918-1988), 6th Bishop of Portsmouth
(1976-1988)
(35-60 kilograms), to the place of execution. By
way of further humiliation, victims were
generally stripped naked, being forced to
urinate or defecate in full view of onlookers.
The gibbet on which crucifixion was carried out
could be a vertical stake, perhaps with a crosspiece, or in the shape of the letters X or Y.
Nails, tapered iron spikes approximately 5 to 7
inches (13 to 18 cm) long with a square shaft
3/4 inch (10 mm) across, could be inserted
between the two bones of the forearm. A footrest (suppedaneum) attached to the cross,
perhaps for the purpose of taking weight off
the forearms, could be used along with a sedile,
a small seat attached to the front of the cross.
A short, curved upright spike (cornu) might also
be attached to the sedile for the perineum to
bear down upon or for forcing into the anus or
Crucifixion was forbidden by ancient Jewish
law which allowed only 4 methods of
execution: stoning, burning, strangulation and
decapitation. Crucifixion in one form or
another was used by Persians, Carthaginians,
Macedonians as well as by others in more
recent times. Japan introduced crucifixion
during the Sengoku period (1467-1573). In
1597 twenty-six Christians were nailed to
crosses at Nagasaki. The persecution of
Christians in Japan did not end until 1871 when
the Meiji Restoration introduced religious
freedom. Crucifixion was reportedly used in
several cases in WW2 against the German civil
population of East Prussia when under Soviet
occupation.
The Koran, which dates from the 7th C.,
mentions crucifixion as punishment befitting
the robber who then kills his victim. Crucifixion
is still one of the Hadd punishments in the
Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as under Isis,
while Sudan's penal code, along with that of
Saudi Arabia, includes the penalty of execution
followed by crucifixion.
PEOPLE
9
MOVERS...
MOVERS and SHAKERS
We pick up on the enthusiasm and achievement across our diocese
POPE FRANCIS has sent more than 1,000 priests on a
global mission to forgive grave sins that normally only the
Holy See may pardon. The Missionaries of Mercy, the ‘superconfessors’, have been given a special faculty for the Jubilee
year of Mercy, which ends in November. One of these
Missionaries is our Portsmouth priest, Fr James McAuley. The
grave sins covered include profanation of the Blessed
Sacrament, use of physical force against the Pope and a
direct violation by a confessor of the seal of the Sacrament
of Reconciliation. In England & Wales, the ability to forgive
the sin of abortion has already been given to all priests with
faculties.
IN JULY AND AUGUST 2015 a group of students from Southampton
University, supported financially by the Southampton Catenians, travelled to Reggio
Calabria in the South of Italy to witness first-hand and to help the migrants (see
page 5, Autumn 2015 edition of PP). A full report of the students’ experience now
figures as an online supplement to this issue at: www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
STEWARDSHIP has been helping the Christian community in the UK to give
and to receive since 1906. The operation is committed to strengthening Christian
causes by offering practical, tailored support to help Churches and Christian
charities to transform the world through the desire to give the wider world the
opportunity to encounter Jesus through the generosity of His people and the
transformational work of the causes they support. Full details:
http://www.stewardship.org.uk/
THIRST: The greatest Gift
followed in the wake of
Worship on The Warrior (see
PP Autumn 2015 p10). For full
details of how the youth
ministry is progressing go to
the online supplements for this
issue at
www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
Music at Douai Abbey
Dr John Rowntree
Music in the life of a Benedictine Abbey is a sine
qua non. It revolves around the sung praise of
God – Lauds in the early morning, Mass later in
the morning, Midday Prayer, Vespers in the early
evening, and Compline later in the evening. It is
all too often forgotten, or neglected, that the
liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, be it
parish or monastic, is a sung one. The monastery
of St Edmund, King and Martyr, founded by exiled English monks after
the Reformation in Paris in 1615 has held to this tradition, first in Paris
then, after the French Revolution, in Douai, and since 1903 at
Woolhampton in Berkshire. In a monastery the monastic community is
‘the choir’, however, in both pre-and post-Reformation times the
music of monastic communities has been enriched by lay musicians,
amateur and professional. In Paris the monks of St Edmund’s had
connections with musicians such as Couperin and Charpentier, in
Douai the presence of the attached boys school provided musical
10
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
expertise and enrichment, as it did at Woolhampton until the closure
of the school in 1999. Today at Woolhampton the liturgy is enriched
by the presence of the Douai Abbey Singers, the Lay-Choir of the
Abbey, on some twenty occasions a year.
Over the immediate post- Vatican II period there was development of
the use of English music in the liturgy, especially under the then
Monastic Choirmaster, Dom Romuald Simpson, many of whose
AND SHAKERS
BENE MERENTI MEDAL PRESENTATION ST
COLMAN WITH ST PAUL’S, PORTSMOUTH:
Anna and Peter Pragnell were each recently presented with
medals by Fr Joe McNerney. A reception followed with a
celebration cake and a cheque in appreciation of their
work over more than two decades. Both have now retired
from their parish jobs: Peter in a voluntary capacity as
Buildings Manager since 1993, Anna as Hall Booking Coordinator since 1994.
Anna and Peter Pragnell
DURING THIS YEAR OF
MERCY the Pope wants to
encourage people to return to the
sacrament of reconciliation. He has
urged his priests to welcome
penitents with open arms. ‘It's not
with the cudgel of judgment that we
will succeed in bringing the lost
sheep back to the fold,’ he said.
In response to the call of mercy, a
mobile ‘confession unit’ on board a
double-decker bus is to tour across
Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
The ‘Mercy Bus’, which has received
a Papal blessing, has been hired by
the Roman Catholic Diocese of
Salford to reach people who do not
go to church.
compositions remain in use today, and under Dom Gervase Holdaway.
Today the music of the Abbey liturgy is a happy balance of both
English and Latin.
Since 1990 the Douai Abbey singers have contributed music ranging
from plainchant through all periods up to the present including new
works commissioned for the Abbey. Music ranges from unaccompanied chant and polyphony to settings with organ and on occasion
instrumentalists in masses by Haydn, Mozart and others. Particularly
noteworthy is a series of commissioned masses, based on the plainsong
masses in the Gradual involving the monastic community, the choir
and congregation, by John Sanders, David Bednall, Edward Tambling,
Colin Mawby. Other choral masses and motets have also been commissioned from composers such as Meirion Wynn Jones, David Bednall
and Roxanna Panufnik.
The development of music for the Responsorial Psalm, especially by
Dom Romuald, has continued through to the present, especially by
Julia Rowntree. Following the arrival of the new Missal and Instruction
there has been continuous work on the development of new
antiphons and psalm tones for the Proper of the mass, in particular the
Introit. This work, as indeed all the music of the Abbey, has been
greatly encouraged by the present Monastic Choirmaster, Prior Alban
Hood. Most recently John Duggan has been commissioned to write a
mass for monks and congregation to celebrate the 400th anniversary
of the founding of the monastery, a mass that it is hoped will be not
just of use to the Abbey but to the wider Catholic community.
Dr John Rowntree is Director of the Douai Abbey Singers, Organist and
Assistant to the Monastic Choirmaster at Douai Abbey. Dr Rowntree
is a noted authority and adviser on historic and contemporary organs
and has written widely on liturgy and music and music education. A
representative sample of the music of the Abbey today can be found
on two CD’s recorded by Herald - Music from Douai Abbey HAVPCD
285 and Catholic Collection III HAVPCD368. Full details for the Douai
Abbey Singers can be found on the Abbey website douaiabbey.org.uk
by following the link to Liturgy and Douai Abbey Singers.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
11
PRIE-DIEU
H&W
MORE
Loving Lord,
why do you always keep on
asking more of me
in your love and service?
Why can’t you just
leave me alone for a while?
Why do you keep unsettling me,
asking more and more,
stretching me from inside out?
Why do I have to keep on
being a pilgrim disciple?
Loving Lord,
you know I’m both sinner and beginner.
You know how the gap between us
keeps on growing wider,
Yet – what paradox! –
our intimacy keeps on growing ever
deeper.
It feels as though you are becoming me.
You’re like a divine virus,
utterly invading and infecting me.
It’s as though I’m living
with your heart, values and attitudes.
wounded healer that I am,
so that my living touch of compassion
may reach out and into others.
Every day is a day of mercy,
accepted as grace-gift from you to me,
then handed over to others
whose lives I’m privileged
to reach into and touch
with your awesome inner healing.
Loving Lord,
day by day you “nag” me,
urging me to ever greater
love and service
to my sisters and brothers.
You drive me on,
inreaching my heart and mind and guts,
enabling me to become
more and more like you,
the foot-washing servant king.
Loving Lord,
each day you grace me with
that baptism strength,
which swamps me, overwhelms me,
soaks me through,
Loving Lord,
and slowly but surely
day by day you call me
to a deeper compassion for my own self, turns me into you.
LIVE ISSUES:
ost people know that the
Catholic Church is against
abortion. Of course the
obvious reason is that it must always be
wrong, and the worst possible solution
to any problem, deliberately to take an
innocent human life.
M
Dominica Roberts
Many do not understand, however, that another reason is the
enormous harm it does, to women primarily, but also to
doctors and nurses, and to society as a whole.
The evidence grows each year of the damage, physical as well
as mental and spiritual, to mothers who abort. For example
there is clear evidence of increased mental problems and
suicide, and miscarriages and premature birth.
Pro-life groups do not judge or blame. They understand the
pressures and the lack of accurate information that so often
lead to abortion.
It is not an optional extra to give practical assistance. We
cannot be like the Pharisees, imposing burdens and not
offering a finger to help.
12
PEOPLE
Loving Lord,
I can no other.
All I can do is to let you
shape and mould me into yourself.
I did not choose you:
you chose me.
Discipleship is gift with responsibility.
Discipleship is open hands and open
heart.
Discipleship is becoming a better
pilgrim.
Discipleship is compassionate service.
Discipleship is readiness to move on.
Discipleship is total cost.
Discipleship is returning the gift of
myself.
Loving Lord,
let me continue to become
daily a better disciple.
Amen.
Fr Denis Blackledge SJ is
Parish Priest, Corpus Christi
Boscombe, Bournemouth.
Emergency: Mayday, Mayday!
The houses run by the charity LIFE in Fleet and Farnborough
are under threat because of changed local government
funding. Local parishes are rallying round to save them, as
they did a few years ago for the Bracknell LIFE house. There,
last year, with the help also of some National Lottery money,
nine unsupported mothers and eleven babies lived. Many
more girls will have known they would have somewhere to go
if necessary.
The Bournemouth LIFE House in similar trouble appears to be
doomed unless emergency help can be given quickly and
future support promised. The Portsmouth area LIFE group
needs more members and help to address local needs of
pregnant women and unsupported mothers.
LIFE is non-denominational, but its ethos is in accord with
Church teaching.
See http://lifecharity.org.uk/ (01926 312272) and please
mark any donations as for LIFE houses in the Portsmouth
Diocese. And above all, please pray for the LIFE houses and for
an end to abortion.
Dominica Roberts is a parishioner of St Joseph and St
Margaret Clitherow in Bracknell, and active in several
pro-life groups.
THE HOLY LAND
IN OCTOBER 2016
This is IT!
PP looks at soft and hardware of
interest for the home, school or parish
IN A SPIN?
If you have ever been frustrated by Mac’s multi-coloured spinner while you’ve
been composing the homily of homilies or your next riveting submission for PP,
you can escape the torture of watching paint dry by simultaneously holding
OPTION, COMMAND and ESCAPE then force quit. But bear in mind that your
creation on screen will go back to the last time you saved.
TRUSTAFACT
Check if a website is a scam or fraudulent at https://trustafact.com/
ONLINE STORAGE
For individuals, groups, committees, schools and parishes looking to archive
online Google Drive (drive.google.com), Microsoft OneDrive (onedrive.live.com)
and Apple Cloud (www.icloud.com) are probably the best options at the
moment.
THE INTERNET
The whole internet would reportedly weigh no more than a strawberry. Some
strawberry!
CHRONAS
History buffs can now go as far back as 1AD with the historical mapping
brought by chronas.org
Tuesday 11th —Thursday 20th inclusive
Flight: Gatwick - Tel Aviv
Pilgrim accommodation throughout/
Twin Room/Half Board Basis.
October 11th-16th in Bethlehem.
October 16th-20th Tiberius.
Price: £1,295 includes Flights, Taxes,
all transfers in UK and Israel and some entrance fees,
Accommodation as stated, all Coach Tours in Israel.
Not included is personal
insurance, and some entrance fees.
Attractions include Jerusalem, Mount of Olives,
Holy Sepulchre, Bethlehem, Nazareth, The Galilee, Cana,
River Jordan, Jericho, Masada, Dead Sea and much more.
Walking involved.
Contact: Fr. Tom Grufferty,
67 Purewell Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1EH
[email protected]
We are Pilgrims not Tourists
£100 deposit required refundable to you until flights
are booked. Payable to St. Joseph’s Parish
Pilgrimage. £500 will be requested prior to a firm
booking with the Airlines. Booking form available on
request [email protected] 01202 483340
DIGITALISATION
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has released extensive holdings of maps,
drawings, photographs, manuscripts etc. for free, online viewing: digitalcollections.nypl.org
VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Six years after enabling 1-to-1 video calling, Skype is now allowing its 0.75
million smartphone and tablet users to make free group calls on Android, iOs and
Windows 10 Mobile. So small groups across the parish or beyond need no longer
travel in order to meet.
SUMAZE!
This free iOS app (also available on Android), jointly created by the charity MEI
(Mathematics in Education and Industry) and the Sigma Network, is a puzzle
game to help people of all ages develop skills in Maths. There are 7 sections and
14 levels which increase in difficulty as you go: http://www.mei.org.uk/sumaze
DOCTABLET
At www.doctablet.com they are developing online references in video format for
those looking to learn more about such conditions as diabetes and heart attacks.
GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL
Before you set off on your next visit to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela or
wherever, remember that Travel Supermarket’s offering has been developed of
late to include more features: www.supermarket.com
ETYMOLOGY
The word 'computer' comes from the Latin putare which means both ‘to think’
and ‘to prune’ conveying the idea of tidying, setting to rights, balancing an
account, reckoning up. Prefix the term with ‘com-‘, meaning ‘together’, ‘with’,
and that gives the idea of what it means ‘to compute’.
PP ONLINE
All issues of PP to date in magazine format plus respective supplements are
archived online at www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk where you can also register to
receive PP electronically, similarly totally free of charge. Help us push up our
mag’s online engagement by signing up today or by encouraging a friend or
relative to do so.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
13
REVIEWS
THE HAPPINESS HABIT
Daniel O’Leary
118 pages, hardback, The Columba Press, 2015, £8.50
[review copy courtesy of Redemptorist Publications]
In his lively Introduction, the author says
this: ‘This small book was written to help
you to live deeply, to think positively, to
find a new hope, to make sense of your
suffering, to put a daily spring in your
step. It is about turning your life around.
You do not have to be a victim any
longer of your emotions, family,
childhood, religion, your past or present
thoughts.- O’Leary is a well-known
Catholic Christian author, whose works touches mind and heart
deeply. But here we have a vade mecum of 52 simple pages,
beautifully wrapped in a series of paintings and photographs,
which could touch and affect any person of good will,
whatever their background, religious or not. One page per week
is enough for a year’s profound ponderings. And the readerpray-er can start anywhere.
The good thing is that it will fit in a pocket or handbag, so can
be taken on a journey, as the book itself enables the ponderer
to make an inside journey in mind and heart. Worth every
penny, and more!
© Denis Blackledge SJ
THE GRATEFUL DISCIPLE
Daring to be Loved
David Wells
185 pages, pbk, Redemptorist Publications, 2015,
£9.95
Those who have had the delight of
reading - and praying - through
David’s first book, The Reluctant
Disciple, will enjoy this one too. The
author has a knack of telling good
stories, often against himself, with a
gentle humour and nice turns of
phrase. Everything is told with
radically down-to-earth spiritual
common sense. Out of the ordinary
comes the extraordinary richness of our Christ-centred
living. David is so obviously an excellent teacher, and is
imbued with a clarity of vision of what life is meant to be
- lived to the full. As a family man, where clearly home is a
holy place, he speaks with authority, just like Jesus did.
There are 28 stories in the book, each beginning with a
scripture passage, and ending with a paragraph or two
‘making connections’, and capped by a couple of thoughtprovoking questions. If you missed his first book, do try this
- you’ll be left wanting more.
© Denis Blackledge SJ
JOURNEYING WITH JONAH
The struggle to find yourself
Denis McBride
152 pages, pbk, Redemptorist Publications, 2015, £9.95
Within its rather drab covers this book
hides an immense treasure, a very fine
gem and germ of a book. I thought I
knew the Book of Jonah rather well: I
certainly do now, with deepfelt thanks to
its author, Denis McBride. Concentrating
on Jonah’s identity, direction and
outlook from start to finish McBride
presents the reader with a challenging
journey to accompany Jonah. It’s full of
fresh facts from the scripture text, tinged with humour, and
exudes practical relevance for today’s believer.
14
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
With his profound knowledge of scripture, and of our human
nature, the author meticulously disentangles the text word by
word and phrase by phrase, showing us how all the folk in the
story understand the meaning of God’s merciful love, except
Jonah, the one who is supposedly religious!
If you read just one book in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, make
it this one! It will affect you for life for the bettering of
yourself, if you let it.
© Denis Blackledge SJ
REVIEWS
Daily Office of Our Lady – The Syon Breviary
Sister Anne Smyth (Author), Adrian Wardle (Editor)
560 pages, hardback, The Bridgettine Sisters, 2015 £45.00
The Order of the
Most Holy Saviour,
known
as
the
Bridgettines, was
founded in England
at
Twickenham,
near London in
1415 by King Henry
V, the year of his
victory at Agincourt. Syon Abbey is the
only English religious community to
have
survived
the
Protestant
Reformation and the dissolution of the
monasteries (in fact, the monastery was
never surrendered to the Crown nor its
keys and royal seal ever yielded up). The
Abbey was in exile on the continent
until its return to England in 1861. Syon
Abbey in Devon finally closed in 2011
and the remaining Sisters are in
retirement, but their principal daily task
remains that of prayer. Their daily
prayer, or daily office, is unique to the
Order in that it is based on part of the
revelations of their founder Saint
Bridget of Sweden. The office is the
‘Breviary of the Holy Virgin’, known as
‘The Daily Office of Our Lady’ or the
Syon Breviary. To mark the 600th
anniversary of the Order’s foundation in
England, the Breviary has been printed
for the first time in English and has
been approved by Mark O’Toole, Bishop
of Plymouth, for use in private daily
devotion. It contains one hundred pages
of plainchant music, as well as historical
notes, illustrations and instructions for
everyday use. The deluxe, gilt-edged,
hardback, 600th anniversary edition of
560 pages has four ribbons for easier
place-marking and retails at £45. A
popular edition retails at £29.95. Both
are available from the Royal Abbey
of Syon (syonbreviary.co.uk). Saint
Bridget’s mission was the ‘constant
praise of God by women, with and
through the Virgin-Mother’. To use this
Office for one’s daily devotion is to
follow in the footsteps of St Bridget and
her faithful community over the
centuries – a wonderful manifestation
of God’s grace as revealed in the
communion of saints.
SPOTLIGHT
investigative journalists, the Spotlight
team, at The Boston Globe newspaper in
2001 as they learn of a paedophile
priest. They then move on to expose a
conspiracy of silence within the church,
shielding widespread and systematic
child abuse. The findings constitute one
of the biggest news stories so far this
century.
The investigation moves forward relentlessly, the dramatisation reflecting the
adult, responsible, focused manner in
which it was apparently undertaken, in a
journalistic environment which these
days has all but gone. Yet there is
something reassuring about the film for
it shows that evil can be unmasked and
that great journalists deserve their
epithet.
Director: Tom McCarthy
2hrs 8mins (15)
I was half expecting a film, laced with
unpalatable images illustrating a
stomach-churning theme, taking a
sledge hammer to the Catholic Church.
I was already rehearsing the argument
that you don’t blame The Highway Code
for a motorway crash when the 15
certificate of the British board of film
classification came intriguingly up on
screen.
The plot slowly gathers but soon picks
up dramatic momentum, revolving
around a small group of four
The film, which has already won
numerous awards, was released on 6
November 2015 by Open Road Films and
stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton,
Rachel McAdams, John Slattery, Stanley
Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Liev Schreiber
and Billy Crudup.
The plot unravels with journalistic
practicality, but in a sensitive way, like
an objective documentary – not that
the pen or the camera can ever be
totally objective: the pens of writers
Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer are
guided in the same way the camera
focuses where the photographer,
McCarthy, points it.
© Fr James McAuley
But there are no winners in this story:
the journalists for what they uncover;
the Church for what it attempts to
shield; the abused for what they suffer;
the abusers for what they commit.
There weren’t many in the audience that
day at the cinema. Those that were
there either stayed put at the end,
without saying a word, or left slowly in
silence, all perhaps reflecting on the fact
that the film’s release had coincided
with the launch of the Year of Mercy.
© jlkw
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
15
PROFILE
PRIEST'S PROFILE
Canon David Hopgood pays homage at the
Requiem Mass for Canon Richard Hind
Was it the cough, the loud
laugh or perhaps the smell
of smoke that enabled you
to know that Canon
Richard was on his way to
have a chat! Yes he did like
a good conversation – so
Canon David Hopgood
it's not too difficult to
picture Richard with those
disciples walking along, talking, listening,
laughing. Then what seems to be a stranger came
up and walked with them. Should they talk to
him and find out where he was from and
discover his story? Perhaps the disciples, like
Richard, loved to find out what made a person
tick. But not even he, just like the disciples,
would discover much about Jesus till He sat
with them at table and broke the bread! For
us as priests, it is when we celebrate the
Eucharist that we not only recognise Christ
among us but recognise the people of our
parish and their many ministries and gifts
with which the Lord has empowered them.
It's what we are about as priests. No priest,
no Eucharist. No Eucharist, no parish!
Of your charity
Pray for the repose
of the soul of
Canon
Richard Mark Desmond Hind
Priest of the Diocese of
Portsmouth
Born 30 July 1938
Died 19 November 2015
Apart from the offshore islands, Richard
ministered in many areas of the diocese:
from Wokingham to Southsea, Porchester,
Ringwood and along to Bournemouth, Eastleigh and up to Farnborough. Then across the waters
to Hayling and Ryde. Then of course the different sort of ministry of Bishop’s Secretary and
Chancellor. No matter where he was called to serve it would be true to say that Richard left his
mark.
The delightful thing about Canon Richard was that he would be the first to say that he was no plaster
Saint! He had faults and weaknesses like all of us. But as priests we can take consolation that it is the Lord’s work
we are about. Thankfully the mercy of God is behind and within us in all areas of our life - no matter how weak
or sinful we are. Isaiah reminds us that 'just as the rain and snow do not come without watering the earth, so
God speaks through the mouth of each one of us’ ... despite our faults and frailties. Thank goodness! As St Paul
affirms: ‘the Lord stood by me and has given me power – I was rescued from the lion’s mouth’!
Talking of lions’ mouths …
I think that it would be true to say that Richard said aloud what many of us often only dared think! Sometimes
it got him into hot water - but things would soon cool down because of two little words: Kindness and
Thoughtfulness. Here is a priest who was always interested in what you had to say (even if he did not agree with
it). He never forgot anything! Kind and gracious and merciful. Yes, many of us priests will have encountered
the merciful side of Richard during his many years as Chancellor and his days of working for the Marriage
Tribunal.
The Pope has opened this great Year of Mercy and has invited us to cross the threshold and to experience
something of the mercy of God - albeit undeserved mercy. But Pope Francis has reminded us that in receiving
His mercy we must open our hearts to those living on the outermost fringes of society, to heal wounds and to
16
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
BROADER VIEW
A Broader View
Lawrence Fullick looks at the wider world
offer the oil of consolation. The Pope
does not soften his words when he calls
us 'not to fall into a humiliating
indifference or a monotonous routine
that prevents us from discovering what
is new’. Perhaps one of Richard’s
greatest gifts was to those on the socalled fringes of society - I refer
especially to his years of faithful
ministry in Kingston Prison which were
much valued and appreciated by the
inmates. They would smoke, laugh, tell
stories and listen to one another. He
was the bread of life for these people.
When Jesus took the bread with his
disciples on that road to Emmaus, He
gave them hope and confirmed their
faith in the Resurrection. Jesus had not
abandoned his followers, for at that
table he was to afford them the Gift of
Mercy that would enable them to see
beyond their little world to the promise
and glory of the kingdom. It is in
celebrating the Eucharist today that we
catch that glimpse of God’s mercy and
His promise of eternal life.
Many of us would
have
heard
Richard recalling
diocesan history
and the great
characters and
priests of the
past - perhaps he
didn't realize that
he was to become
one
of
those
characters! He might not have been
your 'run-of-the-mill priest’. But he was
always faithful, kind and merciful. We
can learn much from that. As Christians
we are not called to be famous or
clever, but to be faithful.
Right to the end Richard carried on the
art of conversation with those around
him and more especially with the Lord,
and so he died fortified by the rites of
Mother Church, loved and respected by
the diocese. He was given a holy and
peaceful death by the love and kindness
of the sisters of Kiln Green.
M
ost international problems recur;
occasionally new ones appear.
Currently the main headline story around
the world continues to be the Middle East,
principally Syria. For many the American
election is important. In Britain EU
membership is again an issue.
In the United States Donald Trump, one of
the several candidates for the Republican
nomination for the Presidency, seemed to
get into an awkward confrontation with
the Pope. Building walls along borders is
unattractive to most of us but may appeal
to some American Republicans.
A conflict between Turkey and Russia is
developing on the side of the fighting in
Syria, complicated by Turkey’s distrust of
the Kurds. It suits both the Turkish and
Russian governments to appear ‘tough’ on
these questions as a distraction from
other domestic problems.
The issue of British membership of the
European Union is important but is a
distraction from much happening at
European level. Catholic Justice and Peace
Europa has called for firmer action by the
EU and national governments to tax
multinational companies more fairly.
‘Christians in Iraq and Syria are
being targeted by ISIS’
On the Middle East the European
Parliament joined in the condemnation of
Isis for genocide against religious groups.
An amendment in the House of Lords said
genocide victims should have priority in
asylum applications.
In Syria many innocent civilians are
suffering from armed action. Christians in
Iraq and Syria are being targeted by ISIS
or Daesh as it calls itself. The United
Nations and others have qualified these
crimes against religious groups as war
crimes and even genocide.
‘The blockade of Gaza
means the people
“effectively live in a prison”’
The Holy Land coordination group of
Catholic bishops from Europe, North
America and South Africa, led by Bishop
Declan Lang, has made its annual visit to
the region, this time including meetings
with refugees in camps in Jordan. In their
final statement the bishops told people in
Gaza and Beit Jala in particular that they
are not forgotten. They said the blockade
of Gaza means the people ‘effectively live
in a prison’. The people of Beit Jala near
Bethlehem are suffering through Israeli
confiscation of land and the expansion of
the separation barrier. The bishops hoped
that the new Agreement between the
Holy See and Palestine ‘offers us a model
of dialogue and cooperation between
States that respects and preserves
freedom of religion and freedom of
conscience for all people’.
Across Europe the Catholic Church and
others have responded to the needs of
refugees, welcoming the stranger in
practical ways. The Southwark Auxiliary
Bishop Patrick Lynch who chairs the
Bishops’ Conference Office for Migration
Policy has stressed Pope Francis’s appeal to
respond to the challenge of refugees and
migrants through the Gospel of mercy; he
referred to the problems at Calais in
particular.
‘The Pope has called for reform of
the EU institutions’
Then there will be a vote in Britain.
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican
Secretary for Relations with States said
Britain is ‘better in than out’; the Pope last
year called for reform of the EU
institutions. A topic on which much will
be said between now and the referendum.
Lawrence Fullick, a parishioner in
Bournemouth, is treasurer of the
Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust, a
charity which promotes discussion of
international issues among people of
all faiths or none.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
PEOPLE
17
NEWS...
A UK GOVERNMENT-BACKED SURVEY asks children as young as 13 about
gender giving 25 options to describe their gender, including tri-gender and intersex.
THE MODERN SLAVERY ACT (MSA) is now in force requiring large commercial
organisations with a global turnover of £36 billion to publish an annual statement about
modern slavery clarifying (1) the steps taken by the organisation to ensure that human
trafficking is not taking place within the business and (2) the nature of the organisation's supply chain (outsourcing and/or subcontracting) and the due diligence
undertaken.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE on 9 February hosted its first Catholic service since
the Reformation. The historic vespers service, led by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has been
hailed as a symbolic milestone in reconciliation between the two churches since Henry
VIII, one-time Catholic, launched the Anglican faith.
36 YOUNG PEOPLE are taking part in an ecclesiastical experiment; since
September 2015 they have been living together as part of a quasi-monastic community.
They come from many different Christian denominations, from around the globe. They
are from all walks of life and are spending a year focused on prayer and work in the
community. PP will be reporting back on the initiative at a later stage.
POPE FRANCIS has started meetings with a special group of cardinals to consider
ways to reform the Vatican. Known as the Vatican G8, the group - chosen from outside
the Holy See's administration to ensure independence – is made up of eight cardinals
picked by Francis from around the world. They will be looking at ways to reshape the
Roman Catholic Church's bureaucracy, to make it less self-interested and more inclusive.
ONLINE SUPPLEMENTS (www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk) in addition to those
mentioned elsewhere in this issue include: (1) Quincentenary of the birth of Mary
Tudor (1516-2016) by Michael Nash; (2) Retreats 2016 at the Oxford Carmelite Priory;
(3) Photo inventory of Significant Anniversaries 2015 (see Diary for 2016) and (4)
Reading at Mass (Guidelines and advice by Kevin C. Doherty).
SLOVENIA
VOTED
ON
GAY
MARRIAGE: As PP went to press with its
previous issue (Q1), Slovenia - a country
considered among the more liberal of the former
communist countries - went to the polls to
determine the nation's attitude to gay 'marriage'.
Almost two thirds of voters said 'No' to a bill
defining marriage as a union simply between two
consenting adults. The result demonstrates a
cultural split in the EU where western member
states are granting greater rights to gay people
but newer central and eastern member states are
resisting such moves. Slovenia's conservatives
were backed by Pope Francis who called on the
country's mainly Catholic population to 'back the
family as the structural reference point for the
life of society'.
STOP PRESS: Mature, Catholic lady seeks
accommodation in quiet area in or around
Southampton for 3-6 months over the coming
summer (2016). Please ring: 07904 417332 0r
0123 9283 3121 (St Edmund’s House,
Portsmouth).
Hints & Wrinkles
Avoiding the dangers of internet dating
If you are one of 9+ million in the UK on dating websites, check if the site you are on is a member of the Online Dating
Association (ODA). Inclusion of the ODA's logo on the site indicates membership.
Play it safe when you meet face-to-face
Be smart and stay safe. Whether it is your first or fifth date, take precautions. Consider these dos and don'ts:
1. Plan it. Say it. Do it.
It’s your date. Agree on what you both want from it before
you meet up. Don’t feel pressured – a short first date is fine.
2. Meet in public. Stay in public.
Meet somewhere public, stay somewhere public. Make your
own way there and back. Don’t feel pressured to go home
with your date. If you feel ready to move to a private
environment, make sure your expectations match your
date’s.
3. Get to know the person, not the profile.
The way people interact online isn’t always the same faceto-face. Don’t be offended if your date is more guarded
when meeting in person or if things don’t progress as fast
face-to-face.
4. Not going well? Make your excuses and leave.
Don’t feel bad about cutting a date short if you’re not keen.
5. Abuse
If you’re sexually assaulted on your date, help is available.
Source: Get Safe Online, the UK’s national internet security awareness initiative, a joint venture between the Government, the
National Crime Agency (NCA), Ofcom, law enforcement bodies and private sector sponsors: www.getsafeonline.org
Notes: The number of people reporting being raped on their first date with someone they met on a dating app has risen six-fold in five years,
figures show. There were 184 rape allegations in the UK in 2014, up from 33 in 2009, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. It said 85% of
the rape victims were women and, of these, 42% were aged 20 to 29 and 24% were between 40 and 49. No matter what the circumstances,
sexual activity against someone’s will is a crime. Police and charities are here to help and support you. Contact Rape Crisis
(www.rapecrisis.org.uk/) or The Survivors Trust, (www.thesurvivorstrust.org/).
18
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Personal note from the Editor:
Dates For Your Diary:
Congratulations on Order
Date
Barry Hudd is known to many of you for having
been the original Editor to Portsmouth People
and for his sustained work over many years as
Press Officer as well as in many other roles
concerned with communications. Barry has always
offered his continued support of PP and of myself
in the role as current Editor. So I am particularly
delighted to report that Barry has been made a
Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory the
Great (Latin: Ordo Sancti Gregorii Magni,), an order which was
established on 1 September 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI.
Event
Venue
Further Details
31 May PP Q3 final
submission date
n/a
Editor
[email protected]
5 - 19
Jun
In Jesus’ Steps
Fleet
PP Autumn 2015 p18
11 Jun
Altar Servers’ Day
Cathedral
Tba
21 Jun Caritas Dragons Den Tba
Year of Mercy Event.
Further details to follow.
27 Jun PP Q3 distributed
Editor
[email protected]
n/a
In the forthcoming issue of PP, I look to featuring Barry
resplendent in uniform.
09 Jul
It’s not the leaving of Liverpool …
21 Jul - World Youth Day
02 Aug Pilgrimage
Krakow
PP Autumn 2015 p6
19 - 26 Pilgrimage
Aug
Lourdes
See p5
31 Aug PP Q4 final
submission date
n/a
Editor
[email protected]
24 - 25 Celebrate Weekend
Sep
Southampton Peter & Lynda Szymanski
t: 023 8029 2058
www.celebrateconference.org
26 Sep PP Q4 distributed
n/a
Editor
[email protected]
15 Oct Catechists’ Day
tba
Formation for Mission
After 10 years in our diocese, Fr Denis Blackledge is
leaving for pastures new. He’s going to Liverpool.
I am obviously one among the many who wish him
well in his new post. In doing so I would like to
express how grateful I am for his support of
Portsmouth People, for the prayerful thoughts
he has regularly put before the readership, for his
excellent and engaging book reviews and for the
kind words of support, encouragement and advice he has given me
since becoming Editor. For those who might be seeing Denis before
his departure, please don’t shake his hand too vigorously, I have
been viciously twisting his arm to keep him writing for PP.
jlkw
Significant Wedding Basingstoke
Anniversaries
Celebratory Mass
PGCE and School Direct Teacher Training
with the PCP and the CTSA
Both the Primary Catholic Partnership and the
Catholic Teaching Schools Alliance have a number
of training programmes available for potential
teachers in primary schools throughout the
Portsmouth Diocese. By offering School Direct
(salaried or tuition fee) and PGCE programmes we
ensure that we provide quality teacher training
that puts our students needs first.
‘We are looking forward to receiving
applications from those individuals with the
potential to be brilliant teachers. Working in
partnership with the Primary Catholic
Partnership, we are confident that our training
meets the needs of both the school and the
trainees.’
Mr Bill James - Head teacher
Training takes place at our 'hubs' which are
schools conveniently placed across the diocese in
Reading, Aldershot, Portsmouth, Southampton
and Bournemouth. These sessions are led by
teachers with a wealth of experience teaching
within the primary sector. Support is also
provided by school mentors who are there to
enrich your training experience.
Train locally
Hubs based at:
Holy Family School, Southampton
St. Joseph’s School, Aldershot
St. Thomas More’s School, Bedhampton
St. Paul’s School, Reading
Corpus Christi School, Bournemouth
Contact:
Paul Haslam
Primary Catholic
Partnership
Tel: 02380 779753
Jo Overington
Catholic Teaching
Schools Alliance
Tel: 01252 350583
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
19
JFJ
Just for Juniors
Sam’s travel tip: ‘A teenage boy had
just passed his driving test and
inquired of his father as to when they
could discuss his use of the car. His
father said he'd make a deal with his
son, ‘You bring your grades up from a
C to a B average, study your Bible a
little, and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about
the car.’
The boy thought about that for a moment, decided
he'd settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.
After about six weeks his father said, ‘Son, you've
brought your grades up and I've observed that you
have been studying your Bible, but I'm sorry you
haven't had your hair cut.’
The boy said, ‘You know, Dad, I've been thinking
about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the
Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist
had long hair, Moses had long hair, and there's
even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair.
To which his father replied: ‘And did you also
notice they all walked everywhere they went?!!’
Which fisherman caught the most fish?
Follow the lines from the nets
Read a story of fishing in Luke 5:1-11.
While he looked after the pigs, the boy thought sadly:
How stupid I have been!
Find ten differences between the two pictures.
You can read this story in Luke 15:11-32.
Charlie likes to joke and to play with words. Here are
two of her favourite teasers:
Break the code to
read the message:
Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.
L to R: Becky Tony Pippa
Sam Vikki Mark Charlie
Portsmouth People is looking for more junior correspondents. If you have a
joke, story, prayer, photograph, report or comment to add to the JfJ page or
anywhere else in PP, then great! Just ask an adult member of your family or
your teacher (with parental consent) to send it to the Editor stating your name,
age and parish.
AYNNWE SPTA PEW XINUBF!
Given up? Turn this page
upside to learn how to crack
the code.
Just change each letter to the one
before it on a standard QWERTY
keyboard.
Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
Publication policy: To protect all parties concerned, PP does not publish the names as well as the photographs of minors,
nor does PP enter into direct communication with minors. Minors are designated as ‘persons under 18 years of age’. Ed.
20
PEOPLE
Guild of St Stephen
FAITH IN ACTION
Guild of St Stephen
he Guild of St Stephen is an International Organisation of Altar Servers founded in England in 1904 by Father Hamilton McDonald
when he formed a Society of Altar Servers at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in London. In 1905, Pope Pius X gave his approbation
to the Canonical establishment of the Guild at Westminster Cathedral and in 1906, the Sacred Congregation of Rites made the Guild
an Archconfraternity prima primaria enabling all the parish branches to be linked with it. The Guild spread, and in 1934, Pope Pius XI
enabled all Guilds of Altar Servers throughout the British Commonwealth to be affiliated with the Archconfraternity at Westminster.
T
The objectives of the Guild:
- To encourage, positively and practically,
the highest standards of serving at the
Church's liturgy and so contribute to
the whole community's participation in
a more fruitful worship of God.
- To provide altar servers with a greater
understanding of what they are doing
so that they may serve with increasing
everence and prayerfulness and thereby
be led to a deepening response to their
vocation in life.
- To unite servers of different parishes
and dioceses for their mutual support
and encouragement.
St Stephen
St Stephen was the first disciple of Jesus to
receive the martyr's crown. All that we
know of his life Stephen is contained in
two chapters (6 and 7) of the Acts of the
Apostles. His date and place of birth are
not known. He was a Hellenistic Jew and
his name is Greek (coming from the word
stephanos, meaning a ‘crown’) and he
probably was born or even lived outside
the borders of Palestine. Nor do we know
when or where or how he was converted
to Christianity.
The first Christians held what they owned
in common, so that the needs of each
person were taken care of. However, the
Acts tells us that the Hellenists, the Greekspeaking members of the community, were
complaining that some of them, especially
the widows, were not being taken looked
after properly. The Apostles, busy with their work of evangelising, felt they did not have
time to take care of this problem. So seven good and prudent men, who were also
Hellenists, were chosen to take care of the situation. The seven were prayed over and
ordained by the imposition of hands. The names of the seven are given. Stephen, who
heads the list is called ‘a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit’, then Philip, known as ‘the
Evangelist’, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas – all Greek names.
(Nicholas, we are told, was a convert to Judaism.) They were appointed by the Apostles
to look after the distribution of alms and would be called ‘deacons’. The word ‘deacon’
[diaconus] means ‘one who serves’. Deacons also helped in the ministry of preaching.
Director & Members of the Guild
The Archbishop of Westminster is the
Superior General of the Archconfraternity
and he appoints a priest to be the National
Director of the Guild. A lay Central Council
consisting of a Lay President, VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer and other
members assists him in the running of the
Guild. The Central Council is responsible
for running the business side of the Guild.
Our photo inventory recalls St Stephen¹s Day (26
December 2015) at St Margaret Mary Church
(Park Gate) when seven Altar Servers were
enrolled into the Guild and when Altar Server
Rhys Ryan Heaney (18yr old) received his 10yr
silver Guild Medal.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
21
CROSSWORD
WOW!
Words of Wisdom for those
keen and ardent ‘wordsters’ among PP‘s readers.
Fascinating Facts
and Figures
Apparently the best way to remember
numbers is by the first 3 and then 2 by 2.
Tea was first drunk in China more than
5,000 years ago
According to research by Charity Finance
magazine, chief executives working for the
UK’s top 100 charities had an average
annual remuneration package of just over
£167,000.
Of the nation’s population, according to
the 2014 British Social Attitudes Survey,
49% (and more than 70% of 15- to 24year-olds) have no religion at all, 17% are
Anglican, 8% are Catholic, 17% are other
types of Christian, 5% are Muslim and 3%
are of other religions.
www.CrosswordWeaver.com
On 19 December 2005, the UK's first civil
partnerships took place. In the 10 years
that have followed, some 140,000 people
have entered into such a relationship and
more than 9,000 same-sex couples have
'married'.
Received wisdom is that 45,000 people
read each issue of PP. That means you and
44,999 others.
ACROSS
2
4
7
9
10
12
13
15
18
19
20
21
24
25
27
29
31
35
36
37
38
DOWN
The skull-cap of an ecclesiastic
Pardonable, light sin
Oil mingled with balm
What you might break to start the day
Christian festival on the 7th Sunday
after Easter
Heathen, pagan
Supreme Pontiff
Union between a man and a woman
Town associated with Sta Teresa
Often seen as the symbol of Christianity
Compassion
Initialisation at the head of The Cross
Pet name for a rabbit
Movable barrier, normally hinged
Domestic bovine quadrupeds, not
to be coveted
The tree that's always to hand
Ancient Roman symbol of power to
rule and execute
Originally a Hebrew of the kingdom
of Judah
Nobleman of the highest rank
Day of thunder
Migrating; given to migration
1
3
5
6
7
8
11
14
16
17
21
22
23
26
28
30
32
33
34
12-month period
A person living in solitude
One of the writers of the Four Gospels
Origin of the term 'Good-bye' (3.2.4.3)
Instruction to catechumens
Belief in the possibility of union with
the Divine trhough contemplation
It complements a pestle
Year with a spring in its step? (4.4)
Out of harmony with reason
Consecrated
Image, figure or representation
A ministering spirit or divine messenger
One who speaks for God interpreting or
revealing His will
When you're there you should do as the
inhabitants do
A religious war conducted by Moslems
against unbelievers
Agreed! So be it! Verily!
He sounds like a big shot in the church
Consecrated bread
Artice of attire worn especially by a
woman over the head or face
Turn to page 27 for the solutions
22
PEOPLE
The world's richest 62 people now own as
much wealth as half of the world's
population, according to a report by the
charity Oxfam.
The Government reports that there are
610,123 empty homes in England with
205,821 of them recorded as 'long-term
empty' i.e. empty for 6 months or more. In
2014 Scotland recorded 31,884 long-term
empty properties, Wales 23,171. Total:
665,178. Assuming each home could
accommodate 3 people or so, that's
enough housing for up to 2 million people,
some 2% of the nation's current
population of 64 million or so.
The latest figure for infrastructure
spending on each Londoner is £5,500 a
year, against £580 in Yorkshire and £220
across the Northeast.
The world's oceans may have more plastic
debris than fish by the year 2050,
according to a report produced by the
Ellen MacArthur Foundation as published
by the World Economic Forum.
There is a theory, hotly contested in some
quarters, that the song ‘The Holy Cokey’
parodies a Catholic priest celebrating Mass.
A Zebra’s pattern of stripes is effectively a
barcode as it’s unique to that individual
animal.
POPP
There is a sublimely beautiful section
called Chapels of Intentions. This is
interactive in that you can add your
personal prayer to the thousands
already there. What I really love about
this section is that there are Carmelite
nuns from Ireland to New Zealand
engaged in the spiritual exercise. All
intentions are prayed through, even
those not published.
TOM’S
TRAVELOGUE
Fr Tom proposes places of
potential pilgrimage …
Try taking your Smartphone with you on
Pilgrimage with a global community
T
here are many Catholics these
days who are delighted to hear
that you can now go on
Pilgrimage without leaving the
comfort of the armchair. The
original idea of going on pilgrimage
was that spiritually and physically you
moved from one place to a better place.
You can find many powerful spiritual
oases with the help of the www. It
might seem strange at first to pray with
your computer screen or Smartphone
but God is everywhere and he uses
high-tech gadgets to speak with us.
My favourite online prayer service is
called Sacred Space. This is run jointly
by the Irish Jesuits and Loyola Press. It
has been around for over 17 years but
the authors are able to move with the
times and they have the technology to
provide spiritual food for the journey.
With the apps you have the daily prayer
anywhere or at any time.
For each prayer session you are invited
to prepare the mind and body before
moving into the six stages of prayer:
the Presence of God, Freedom,
Consciousness,
the
Word,
Conversation, Conclusion. Try it for a
week to explore the rhythm and the
richness. There is a huge interest in
‘mindfullness’ if the contents of our
high street bookshops are anything to
go by. Here is a great source of
Christian mindfulness.
There is an extension
to the journey for
those who want to
complete
the
Pilgrimage. Pray as
you go is exactly as it
says. You are invited
to enter into a deeper
relationship and a
conversation
with
God. You can even do
special retreats. There
is even a daily prayer
with Pope Francis.
Why not go on a Pilgrimage of Mercy
with your iPad or smartphone?
http://www.sacredspace.ie
[email protected]
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
23
REVIEWS
FAITH IN ACTION
Doreen Yates 1938-2016
Canon Dominic Golding pays tribute to Doreen Yates
I
t occurs to me that in Doreen’s life there are at least
five notable dates worth remembering. The first is
15 February, a notable date for her because it was
on that date in 1938 that she was born in Fratton,
Portsmouth. A second notable date which Doreen
was always keen to remember was 25 December. For so
many years of her life this date was special for two
reasons. Firstly it was when, like any Christian, she
celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, her Saviour. But
Doreen also held 25 December special for another more
personal reason. It was on that date in 1955 that she got
engaged to the young man she had first met in the
Naval Bookshop which used to exist not far from this
cathedral.
Dave and Doreen always remembered the date of their
engagement and on Christmas Day last year they
remembered it at breakfast. Neither of them was then
to know that just a few hours later after receiving Holy
Communion at Mass, in the Cathedral, Doreen’s soul
would depart this life. In doing so she has ensured that
for many years to come we will hold that date a special
one because on it she departed this life. We Catholics
often pray for a happy death; her prayer was answered
and strengthened with the body of Christ, that
viaticum, that food for the journey, she left us bound
for the place spoken of by Jesus in the gospel, the
place in his Father’s house which he has prepared for
her.
A third notable date which Doreen kept special each
year was 16 September. That was when in St Colman’s
Church (Cosham) she stood at the altar to marry
David Yates. Her marriage to Dave was one in which
they did very much become what on their wedding
day the Church prayed they would be: living witnesses of
God’s unchanging love.
A fourth significant date for her was 16 July, the day their
son David was born. In all the years since his birth they
have been strong as a family unit.
The practice of Doreen’s faith has been generous and
especially so in this parish where she did just about
everything except celebrate the Mass!
By now you may be wondering what I reckon is Doreen’s
fifth significant date. It is the 28 January. This is the day
24
PEOPLE
The bride and groom
when we give her body the dignity of a Christian burial and
offer her the sacrifice of the Mass for the happy repose of
her soul. May she rejoice for ever in the presence of her
eternal King and in the company of all the saints. May she
rest in peace.
The full unabridged version of Canon
Dominic’s tribute appears as an online
supplement
to
this
issue
at
www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
SACRE
Could you help
SACRE?
Standing Advisory Council on
Religious Education (SACRE)
What is a SACRE?
SACRE is a council which is set up by each Local Authority.
What does a SACRE do?
It is required by law that Religious Education (RE) be taught in
schools, but RE is not part of the National Curriculum, instead RE is
a local responsibility. SACRE oversees RE and collective worship in
Community Schools.
Who makes up a SACRE?
There are 4 committees on a SACRE:
Committee A: Representatives of religious groups other than the
Church of England;
Committee B: Representatives of the Church of England;
Committee C: Representatives of teacher organisations;
Committee D: Representatives of the Local Authority.
They meet at most 3 times a year.
What are its duties?
Its main function is to advise the Local Authority (LA) on matters
relating to collective worship in Community Schools, together with
ensuring that good quality RE is provided in all schools in
accordance with their agreed syllabus.
• The SACRE can require the LA to review its agreed syllabus
• It must consider applications from Headteachers that their
school be released from the requirements for collective
worship to be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian
character. This is known as a determination;
• The SACRE must publish an annual report of its work.
What else can a SACRE do?
A SACRE's broad role is to support effective provision of RE and
collective worship within its remit by:
• Giving advice on methods of teaching the agreed
syllabus of RE, including the choice of teaching materials;
• Monitoring reports on RE, collective worship and spiritual,
moral, social and cultural development (SMSC);
• Considering complaints about the provision and delivery of
RE and collective worship referred to it by the LA;
• Providing support and advice on any issues regarding
religious education and collective worship that might
impact on schools.
Act for Social Justice
Encouraging
Parish Teams
to Act for
Social Justice
V
olunteers from the Justice,
peace and social responsibility
team in the Diocese have now
been meeting regularly for over
a year. In this time, they have
gathered lots of information about
activity in the parishes and national
campaigns and networks. They have
discovered that some parishes have longstanding active groups, some have one or
two individuals who campaign hard for
particular issues but many parishes do not
have any organised forum for discussing
and acting for social justice.
To encourage and support people there
have been two diocesan-wide gatherings
and it is hoped that this initiative will
continue with regard to particular issues.
However, it is recognised that most
activity happens within parishes, so a
monthly bulletin with topical news and
information has been introduced to help
with ideas for prayer, discussion and
action. As the bulletin becomes more
established it is hoped that parishes will
contribute with local campaigns and
actions to inspire and help each other.
Bulletins are available on the diocesan
website:
www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/jpsr/ or
on the new Caritas website. If you would
like the bulletin sent directly or have any
questions or comments please email:[email protected]
If you are passionate about religious education and would like to
help and represent the Catholic Church, please contact
[email protected] in the first instance. We
need innovative and enthusiastic people to help our schools teach
this exciting subject to the next generation and leaders of
tomorrow.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
25
CAFOD
FAITH IN ACTION
Teko Anna and her young children
Portsmouth Catholics take action
during the Year of Mercy
Leah Parker-Turnock from CAFOD describes how this year’s Year of Mercy is inspiring
parishioners to ‘give drink to the thirsty’
his Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy is an invitation to all
Christians to draw closer to Jesus who is ‘the face of the
Father’s mercy’ (Misericordiae Vultus #1).
T
But, as she told us, water is so scarce ‘there was a time when one of
my children went there to collect water and they were asked to leave.
It didn’t feel good. I was so hurt when my children were turned away’.
We’re called in many ways throughout this holy year to experience
God’s mercy, through the undertaking of pilgrimages, walking
through Holy Doors, and by carrying out corporal and spiritual acts
of mercy. We’re asked to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bury the
dead, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, and
give drink to the thirsty.
She then considered sending her daughter, Proscovia, far away to a
boarding school because in previous years, she had had to take her
older daughters out of school to collect water for her. By sending
Proscovia away, she couldn’t rely on her to fetch water even though
she really needed the extra hands; her love was greater.
CAFOD’s mission, as a member of the Caritas Internationalis, is to
bring hope and compassion to people living in poverty overseas. The
Year of Mercy inspires us to reflect on our core identity as part of
Caritas: to share in the Church’s mission and to promote charity and
justice throughout the world.
CAFOD works with communities who struggle to have the basic
essentials of life, such as food and water. Right now 650 million
people in our world are living without access to clean water
and 2.5 billion people lack something as basic as a toilet
and a sewage system to flush away their waste. It is also
estimated that women and girls spend 125 million
hours a day collecting water, which means time away
from work or school.
Teko Anna is a hard-working mother from Moroto in
Uganda. When the water pump in her village broke
down, the family had no choice but to collect water
from a place far away.
26
PEOPLE
‘I thought I would find some way for us to cope without her,’ she said,
‘I would get help.’
But thanks to parishioners throughout England and Wales, CAFOD’s
local Church partner in the region mended the water pump in the
village which meant the family could drink, wash and cook when
they needed. Their lives were immediately transformed.
And it didn’t
end there: the
community
learned how to
maintain the
water pump and
they can now
make
minor
repairs if it
breaks down. A
special water
management
Proscovia, Teko Anna’s daughter
CAFOD
FAITH IN ACTION
committee, made up of community members, also collects
money from each household that uses the pump so that they
can pay for any spare parts or for an engineer to fix it if it
experiences any major problems in future.
Freed from the burden of collecting water, Teko Anna’s
daughter now has a chance to pursue her goal: to finish
school and fulfil her dream of becoming an engineer.
Throughout Lent parishes here in the Portsmouth Diocese
were ‘turning on the taps’ and schools were ‘making a splash’
with a variety of fundraising activities.
These included a special Lenten supper in Totton, a quiz night in
Basingstoke, a coffee morning in Maidenhead and an international
brunch held in Thatcham. Lenten lunches took place in Ringwood
and Fordingbridge, Woodley, Hythe, Reading, Andover, Chandlers
Ford, Lymington, Wokingham, Southampton, Windsor,
Woolhampton, Westbourne and South Wight. Furthermore two
brave parishioners from Park Gate and Waterlooville took on the
London Marathon.
‘Bring hope and compassion to people
living in poverty overseas’
Schools have raised awareness of the issue of water through two
public speaking competitions in Havant, Fareham and Reading.
Young Leaders in six Sixth Forms across the diocese have given
assemblies, organised a cake sale, a basketball tournament and soup
lunches.
As a community we’ve worked hard in this way to ‘give drink to the
thirsty’ to ensure more children stay in school, finish their education
and fulfil their God-given potential.
Furthermore, CAFOD was awarded match funding from the UK
Government which means that all donations made to its Lenten
appeal from 10 February right up until 9 May will be doubled.
Our almsgiving at this time will help unlock a total of £3.5 million
that the Government has promised to match so that together we can
ensure that 334,000 more people, especially young girls, can go to
school rather than walking miles to collect water.
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the
official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales
and part of Caritas International. Charity no 1160384 and a
company limited by guarantee 9387398. Registered office:
Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB.
WOW!
Solutions to our freeform crossword on page 22
‘Give drink to the thirsty’
In the words of Pope Francis, ‘mercy is the force that reawakens us to
new life and instils in us the courage to look to the future with hope’
(Misericordiae Vultus #10).
By drawing closer to God in prayer and through undertaking these
acts of mercy, we hope to share in God’s transforming love with every
person and creature this year, especially with those who are living in
poverty.
Donate to CAFOD’s Lenten Appeal before 9 May to have your
donation doubled at cafod.org.uk/lent
PEOPLE
27
CHRIST IS RISEN
OUR HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE
Scriptural Notes by Father Jeremy Corley
A couple of decades after
the crucifixion, St Paul sat
down to write a letter to
the young Christian community in the Greek
city of Corinth. He was planning to reply to
a set of questions from his new converts.
But then he received some upsetting news.
The church he had founded in that city had
now fallen apart into separate factions. So
he set out to compose what we know as his
First Letter to the Corinthians.
In this letter he asks bluntly: ‘Was Paul
crucified for you?’ Aiming to direct their
attention to the one Saviour Jesus, he
begins by focussing on the cross. While the
Jews of that time often sought miracles as a
proof of divine authorisation, and many
Greeks looked for intelligent wisdom, Paul
had been preaching a crucified Christ,
whom the Corinthians believed in.
Paul reminds them that the divine plan of
salvation, especially the events at Calvary,
seemed foolish, but it actually proved to be
wiser than human wisdom. Similarly, God’s
weakness, seen in the crucifixion of his Son,
was indeed stronger than human strength,
because God finally revealed his power in
the resurrection.
In chapter 15 of the letter, Paul returns to
the theme of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
He starts by reminding his audience of the
message of faith that they accepted when
he proclaimed the gospel to them. This is the
same message that was taught to him after
his conversion: that Christ died for our sins
and was buried. When we could not save
ourselves from our sins, our Lord redeemed
us by his cross.
Moreover, Paul was also taught that Christ
was raised to life on the third day and
appeared to the apostles, to open up for us
the way to eternal life. Indeed, Paul could
vouch for himself: ‘last of all, he appeared to
me also’ - referring to his own experience on
the road to Damascus.
Paul emphasizes Christ’s resurrection
because seemingly some of the Corinthians
had doubted this element of the faith. So
Paul draws out the implications of such
doubts. ‘If Christ has not been raised, your
faith is useless’ - because the crucified
Christ can only give us life if he has
overcome death.
‘Christ is risen’!
Just as humans and animals, birds and fish,
all have their own bodies that are good for
them, so also in the resurrection we will
have a suitable kind of body, which remains
to be revealed. While our earthly bodies
derive from our first parents, our future
bodies will be modelled on Christ.
Hence the apostle says: ‘If Christ has not
been raised, you are still in your sins’ because Christ’s redemption would be
ineffective. Then Paul adds: ‘What is more
serious, all who have died in Christ would
have just perished.’ What hope would there
be for the faithful departed, unless Christ is
risen?
Since our human flesh and blood cannot
inherit God’s eternal kingdom, our present
perishable nature will be given imperishability, and our mortal nature will be granted
immortality. In this way, we will be changed
to become like the risen Christ, no longer
subject to the limitations of human
mortality.
At this point the apostle spells out the hope
truly offered us in our Lord’s resurrection:
‘Christ has in fact been raised from the dead,
and he is the first fruits of all who have
fallen asleep in death.’ Whereas the first
Adam brought death to the whole human
race, Christ is the new Adam who brings life
to all. Indeed, Christ will come again in glory
to give eternal life to all his people.
‘Alleluia!’
To be sure, how exactly the resurrection will
happen is a mystery not yet revealed to us.
Paul recognizes this question: ‘How are the
dead raised, and what sort of body do they
have when they come back?’ In response, he
can only answer by taking an example from
the natural world.
Portsmouth People, Gold Award winner 2015 (Assoc. for Church Editors), is the
diocesan publication for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. It is distributed free
of charge to parishes and other groups in the Diocese which covers Hampshire, the
Isle of Wight, the Channel Isles and parts of Berkshire, Dorset and Oxfordshire. The
Portsmouth Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust is a registered charity (number
246871) with its address at Diocesan Office, St Edmund's House, Bishop Crispian
Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA
www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Editor:
Dr Jeremy L Kettle-Williams
St Edmund's House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3QA
[email protected]
t: +44(0)23 9283 3121
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www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
Advisory panel: Fr Denis Blackledge, Fr Mark Hogan, Barry Hudd, Elizabeth Slinn,
Fr Paul James Smith
Webmaster:
Ana Dobeson
28 PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
He explains: ‘Whatever seed you sow in the
ground has to die before it is given new life.’
Thus, a farmer sows a simple grain of wheat,
and it receives an appropriate physical form,
given by God. Just as divine providence
guides the growth of plants, so God will
providentially give a suitable ‘resurrection
body’- even though we do not know what it
will be like.
Our Christian hope is based on our faith in
Christ, because we do not yet see its
fulfilment. But since we believe that Christ
died and rose again, we can hope that after
our own death, the Lord will raise us to
eternal life. This is the good news we
celebrate at Easter. Christ is risen! Alleluia!
[For weekly notes on the Sunday readings
see: www.tarsus.ie]
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Distribution (Jersey): Terry Brown ([email protected])
Portsmouth People, printed on forest-sustainable paper in Rotis Semi Sans 10 pt, is a
quarterly publication distributed at the start of every quarter. Material for publication
should be submitted to The Editor in electronic format (Guidelines available on request)
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and Readers (OUP) with the minimum of textual mark-up and no illustrations
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employees thereof or persons otherwise associated directly or indirectly. All material is
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CHURCH
FOCUS
With this issue we look at
the Catholic Church of
St Patrick, Hayling Island
The next issue of
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
will be distributed
at the start of July
When you have finished reading this magazine,
please pass it to a friend or dispose of it
responsibly for re-cycling
PP is a free publication. Donations welcome.
Suggested contribution: 50 pence.
Church of St Patrick
Manor Road
Hayling Island
PO11 0QU
t: +44(0)23 9246 3854
e: [email protected]
www.stpatrickshaylingisland.org.uk