Jan-Mar 2017
ISSN 2059-8866
Zebras
Annulment
YoM Remembered
Becoming a Catechist
Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage
Justice, Peace & Social Responsibility
… plus all our regular features
The Catholic Diocese
of Portsmouth magazine
Can We Handle the Old Testament?
‘The Merciful God of the Old Testament’
With Fr. Nicholas King S.J.
Internationally renowned scripture scholar and writer
www.nicholas-king.co.uk
St. Mary’s RC Church
211 Wimborne Road
Poole BH15 2EG
Fri-Sat 13-14 January 2017
Friday at 7-8 pm:
‘Can We Handle the OT?’
Saturday Mass 10 am: Fr Nick to preach.
11-12 noon:
‘The Psalter - Heart of the OT’
1-3:30 pm:
‘The Merciful God of the OT’
Cost £5 per person. Tea/Coffee provided.
Please bring a packed lunch to share on Saturday.
For more info call Deacon Declan tel. 01202 661869
or email: [email protected]
PORTSMOUTH
Jay Kettle-Williams
Jan-Mar 2017
PEOPLE
Misericordes sicut Pater
User-generated content across social media platforms brings
unprecedented empowerment to many.
But with that
empowerment should come responsibility lest such enablement
slide down a slippery slope into offence, deception - such as we
have seen of late with fake reporting - and self deception, just one
short step away from self obsession.
Fascination with Number One runs totally counter to the message
of mercy, which has been so much at the forefront of our minds
of late. Now that the Year of Mercy has drawn to a close let’s not
hope that we now draw a veil and forget all about it.
Coming back for a moment to what is called ‘Citizen Journalism’,
surely ours is now the responsibility to help pour oil on those
waters and to help shape to better effect how society behaves, is
seen and looks at itself. That’s not easy.
tongue is one thing. Showing mercy takes much more effort. But
mercy is the better part:
‘The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes’
From a speech by Portia in William Shakespeare's The Merchant of
Venice Act IV, Scene 1
mercy n. compassion; forgiveness;
disposition to be kind; something for
which to be thankful; relief;
alleviation of distress. Synonyms:
leniency; clemency; charity
Portsmouth People,
life-style magazine for those
practising or interested
in the Catholic faith
It’s hard when someone moves to block you in in the car park and
from whom you get a ranting mouthful of obscene abuse when
you gently point out the inconvenience caused. Holding your
CONTENTS
Bishop’s Bulletin
Catechist by Default or by Vocation?
by Sr Hyacinthe Defos du Rau
Personality Profile: Stephen Walford
Behind the Scenes: JPSR
Teens & 20s: Lucrezia Slinn
Quotable Quotes
Parson’s Pointers by John Parsons
Letters
Movers and Shakers
Prie-Dieu by Fr Denis Blackledge
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
8
10
12
Live Issues: Human Embryos
by Dominica Roberts
This is IT!
What’s in a Word: Safeguarding
Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
Priest’s Profile: Fr Claro V. Conde
Hints & Wrinkles:
The Process of Annulment
PPP
A Broader View by Lawrence Fullick
News and Announcements
Acknowledgements: Candle Books for kind permission to reproduce the illustrations on p20
from Jumbo Bible Activity Book © 2009 Lion Hudson plc.; Mgr Vincent Harvey and the Parish
Magazine (Ref: Tom’s Travelogue); Wikipedia for texts 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: The Cathedral Door of Mercy.
Photographs ©: CAFOD (YoM Pilgrimage); Barry Hudd (Church in Focus); JLKW (Various); Nigel
Myall (YoM Pilgrimage); Laura Ouseley (YoM Pilgtimage); Jeff Sendall (YoM Pilgrimage);
Natalia Tsoukala/CAFOD (YoM Pilgrimage); John Twedell (YoM Pilgrimage); Ben White/CAFOD
(Yom Pilgrimage); Tom Wilkinson (JPSR).
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.
12
13
13
14
16
16
17
17
18
Just for Juniors
Marwell Zany Zebras Trail
Crossword
Fascinating Facts & Figures
Tom’s Travelogue by Fr Tom Grufferty
Reviews
Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage
Israel’s King and Saviour of All Nations
by Fr Jeremy Corley
Church in Focus:
The Church of Our Lady and St Dominic
20
21
22
22
23
24
26
28
PP is distributed free of charge 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: 01329 282324
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
1
BISHOP’S BULLETIN
BISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH
Rt Rev Philip A Egan BA, STL, PhD
IN CORDE IESU
I
wish you, your families and friends blessings from the Lord
for the New Year 2017!
We are all conscious how the world is changing. In 2017,
Britain will move ahead with Brexit and its withdrawal from
the European Union, and in the United States a new president
will enter the White House. At the same time, the tragic mess
in Syria and the Middle East, and its harrowing fall-out,
continues to burden our hearts and minds. Let us pray
especially to the Holy Spirit that this New Year may bring new
ways forward to help resolve these crises.
‘The Holy Year was a time of real
renewal and joy’
Meanwhile, the Year of Mercy came to a glorious end with
ceremonies at the Cathedral and the rededication of the
Diocese to St Edmund of Abingdon. When in 2015 the Pope
announced the Jubilee Year, following on from the Year of
Faith in 2013 and the Year of Consecrated Life in 2014, I
wondered if it would all be too much! In fact, there was a
remarkable popular response. The aim of the Year was easy to
grasp: that we experience afresh God’s mercy ourselves and
then apply it to others. Or more concretely, that we go to
Confession and perform spiritual and corporal works of
mercy. The Holy Year was a time of real renewal and joy, with
many rediscovering, after too long away, the Sacrament of
Penance. Confessions are up! And as our diocesan Enews
attests, schools and parishes are engaging enthusiastically in
all kinds of charitable works of mercy, many facilitated by our
new Caritas Diocese of Portsmouth. I wish to encourage
everyone to continue the good work in 2017. Let us
frequently avail ourselves of the healing balm of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, and find new ways to serve the
neediest.
‘I wish to encourage everyone to
continue the good work in 2017’
2
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
So in 2017, where should our Diocese go? People often ask
me as the Bishop what are my hopes and aspirations: what is
my vision? Not long after my ordination as Bishop in
September 2012, I articulated four priorities: that each
person, each parish community, each Pastoral Area and
Deanery, each school and every ministry within the Diocese is
called
• to seek out and draw in the un-churched
and the unbelieving;
• to help everyone develop life-long discipleship,
spiritual growth and a living relationship with
Jesus Christ, above all, in the Holy Eucharist;
• to discern the gifts, charisms and vocations
God has given us; and
• to form and support existing and new
‘creative apostolates’.
‘Let us place the New Year 2017
in God’s hands’
These remain my key priorities and over the next months,
with discussion and consultation, I hope to develop these
priorities and to articulate a clearer strategy. It is a process I
want to invite you to join in too. This is the vision, so please
drop me a line as to how you think we might implement it in
practice.
Let us place the New Year 2017 in God’s hands. May God bless
us in many wonderful ways throughout the Diocese. Let us
thank and praise Him for all His love to us. May Mary
Immaculate and St Edmund of Abingdon protect us with their
prayers.
+Philip
In Corde Iesu,
Bishop of Portsmouth
FAITH IN ACTION
FAITH IN ACTION
Catechist by
default or by
vocation?
Sr Hyacinthe Defos du
Rau, OP, traces her
pathway to becoming
a catechist
L
ike many if not most
catechists, I became a
catechist in spite of
myself, without really
thinking about it. I didn’t
even really know what the word
meant. Mine probably was among
the last names on Sr Marie
Isabelle’s list of potential
catechists when she found me at
the end of the parish Mass and
asked me if I would take over
catechesis for a group of 8-yearold children preparing for their
first Holy Communion. I was 19, a
student in Bordeaux University,
and the last catechists I had met
were my own more than 10 years
previously.
‘I didn’t even really
know what the word
[Catechist] meant’
My first experience with this great
group of children in Bordeaux,
without a clue as to what a
catechist was supposed to be or
supposed to do, was both exhilarating and rather pathetic. I would
work the children up into a frenzy
with
action
songs
and
excitements, and then have no
idea about calming them down
and actually getting something
across to them. We followed the
workbook faithfully and painfully,
boring page by boring page, until I
finally found the courage to take
things in charge by explaining in
my own, sometimes clumsy words,
who Jesus was, what he had done
for us, how he had become the
centre of my life, and was now
knocking at the door of their
hearts. On the day of the children’s
first
Holy
Communion,
culmination of all our efforts and
joys, I tragically lost my glasses. I
frantically searched the house in
vain and finally rushed blindly to
the church. This meant that I was
unable to identify the children.
‘The ministry of
catechesis is truly
amazing!’
They all came up to me, showing
me (quite uselessly) their pretty
dresses and suits. We prayed
together. Yet the sadness of not
being able to recognise them and
talk to them individually was
piercing: I had first come to a
group, but by now I knew each one
by name and could relate to each
one as a unique, unrepeatable
person. Through catechesis, we
had journeyed together, and God
had given me a share and a
responsibility in opening his
communion of love, not to a
nameless group, but to each one
of these little ones, his beloved
children, called by name. The
ministry of catechesis is truly
amazing!
‘Through catechesis,
we had journeyed
together’
Since becoming a sister more than
fifteen years ago, I have enlarged
both knowledge and experience,
and catechesis has now become
one of my passions. I am
convinced that Sr Marie Isabelle’s
invitation all these years ago was
actually prompted by the Holy
Spirit. It was no accident or second
choice. Each baptised member of
Jesus Christ has a responsibility to
make him known and the ministry
of catechesis is one of the greatest
(and challenging!) service anyone
can offer his brothers and sisters
in the Church.
Sr Hyacinthe Defos du Rau, OP, is
the leader of the Formation for
Mission team –
e: [email protected]
- responsible for catechesis and
adult formation in the Diocese of
Portsmouth.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
3
PROFILE
PERSONALITY PROFILE
Stephen Walford, musician and writer, talks of his life and work
I grew up in the parish of Our Lady of the
Assumption, Hedge End with my four
brothers and one sister. The Catholic faith
was instilled in us from a very early age by
our mother who taught us many aspects
of it from adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament and devotion to Mary, to
concern for the holy souls in Purgatory
and love for the Pope. Unquestionably this understanding
of what it is to be a Catholic has shaped my entire life
and I in turn have tried to pass that onto my five children.
My two great loves in life are the Church and music,
specifically the piano. I have worked as a full-time piano
teacher for over twenty years and take great pleasure in
seeing pupils develop into mature musicians. I have
also held the position of church organist for almost
thirty years, having ‘temporarily’ stepped in, as a
thirteen year old, for several weeks while we waited
for someone else to take over. Alas that never
happened and the parishioners have had to put
up with me ever since!
4
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
I have written two books.
The first, Heralds of the
Second Coming deals
with the little-known
aspect of the papal
prophetic charism present
in the popes from Blessed
Pius IX to Benedict XVI. The
second book, Communion
of Saints: The Unity of
Divine Love in the
Mystical Body of Christ
[see p25] seeks to present
the various ways in which
the members of the Church,
Stephen Walford
both on earth and in
eternity, interrelate with one another, mirroring the unity of
the Most Holy Trinity. It is my ardent hope that this book will
help increase our desire to see the Church as a family in which
we all long for the holiness not only ourselves, but for each
other.
BTS
With this issue
BEHIND THE SCENES takes a look at …
The Justice, Peace and Social
Responsibility Team
C
omposed of Laura Bigoni, Rev John Clumsy, Dominica Roberts, Michael Pengelly, Mike Slinn and Maureen Thompson, the
JPSR team, working within the Diocesan Framework for Collaboration, meets regularly to raise awareness of social justice
issues and to support related activities. Recently the team worked to help raise the profile of One World Week
- Six charities, including the Red Cross,
held a celebration at St John’s Cathedral,
a social occasion to meet refugees from
across the globe.
- St Thomas’ Cathedral (Portsmouth) held
an evening discussion where local
charites explained their work in
supporting refugees and those fleeing
slavery by highlighting ways in which we
might help.
1
Including you – Acting together for One
World in Peace
Portsmouth, Waterlooville and Fareham
Churches in October embraced the call
of One World Week to build better
understanding and friendship.
This theme for One World Week saw a
return to the educational development
charity’s original campaign purpose:
seeking to bring people together to hear
each others’ perspectives and to share
common values, a reaction to the arrival
of refugees and to concerns over
terrorism:
- Sacred Heart Church (Waterlooville)
held their now traditional International
food evening inviting Colleen Le from
Friends without Borders to speak at a
special international Mass.
2
If you have stories, campaigns to share,
would like to receive the JPSR bulletin,
need help or would like to offer your
services as a JPSR member, please
contact Maureen Thompson:
[email protected]
- In Fareham there was a tea party with
speakers from Tools for Self-Reliance
The above were just some of the events
organised. One World Week had been
further highlighted in the bulletin
distributed by the Diocesan JPSR as a
great opportunity to put faith into
action.
1.
Martin Jones conducts the choir.
2.
Fr Kevin receives a raffle prize (donated by
Southern Cooperative Stores) in The Offertory.
3.
The Mayor of Havant Cllr Faith Ponsonby
with Fr Kevin on her right and Deacon Mark
WhiteyWhiting on her left with children of
the Parish after the International Mass
4.
Three members of the Parish in National
Dress - India, Martinique, South Africa after
the International Mass
5-7. The now traditional ‘global supper’ at
Sacred Heart
3
4
5
6
7
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
5
TEENS & 20s
TEENS & 20s
Lucrezia Slinn reports on our collective
responsibility for climate change
hortly before Advent, I attended a
conference on Laudato Si’ and its
implications for humans and our
common home, organised by the
Portsmouth Diocese. While it has been
reported on elsewhere, as a young person
and a student of climate change I had a
unique perspective on the events.
S
‘It is easy to become deflated when
looking at the melting ice …’
As a new postgraduate in London, I have
found that I tend to introduce myself
with my name followed closely by my
degree – to which I find that people
commonly respond
by letting me
know how happy
they are that I will
be saving us all.
Which is quite a
heavy burden to
put upon my
shoulders.
In
fact, it is not
something
which should be
upon any one of
us alone; the
responsibility for
climate change
and its impacts belongs to all of us, as
does the obligation to do all that we can
to combat it.
Being a part of the younger generation –
the oft-disparaged as ‘millennials’ – I am
often left feeling as though those who
have gone before me have left me and
my peers with an uncommonly hopeless
legacy in a ravaged planet and warming
climate; while those in power continue
to stall when faced with calls for
counter-measures. Those of us born
closer to the turn of the millennium than
the middle of the century will be living
on this planet, our common home, long
after those who ignored the first
warnings of climatologists fifty-odd
years ago are gone. And so it is easy to
become deflated when looking at the
melting ice, rising temperatures, growing
oil fields and simply give up on finding a
solution.
‘But … there is no shortage of
people willing to do their part’
But, as I was reminded at the conference
a few weeks ago, there is no shortage of
people willing to do their part. Listening
to a panel of interfaith community
leaders discuss and agree on the climate
issue was nothing short of inspiring: a
compelling illustration of how humans
must come together, in openness and
understanding, to save our common
home. Also brought to the forefront was
the role which the Church may have to
play in turning the tide against climate
change, in leading changes in lifestyle
from a ‘throwaway society’ to one in
which we can recognise when we have
enough, and cease grasping for more and
more until there is nothing left. If, as was
suggested, we can view ourselves as a
part of nature, instead of apart from
nature, then we can begin to fix our
damaged relationship with it. If we view
the environment as ‘the new poor’,
understanding that it has been stamped
down and used to help us climb to the
top, then we will see how we are called to
do something about it.
‘The world may be broken,
but hope is not crazy’
The importance of events such as this
one lies in their ability to speak to people
of all and any faiths about an issue which
affects us all: to take the science of
climate change and place it beside the
theology of our actions, reframing the
issue in the light of hope, and faith in
humanity’s ability to change. It reminded
me that climate science, complex as it is,
is devoid of closed systems and that we,
so entrenched as we are in our roles as
users and abusers of the environment,
must avoid closing ourselves to the needs
of our planet. In the words of a favourite
author of mine, John Green: ‘The world
may be broken, but hope is not crazy.’
Lucrezia Slinn is a member of the Hampshire Downs Parish and is currently studying
for a Masters Degree in Climate Change at University College, London. With regard
to the Laudato Si’ Conference, a fuller report by Lucrezia of the day’s proceedings
appears as an online supplement to this issue of PP: www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
6
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
QQs
POINTERS
Quotable Quotes
‘I foresee all sorts of unforeseen
problems’
Sir Humphrey (Yes Minister)
‘Postponement: the sincerest form of
rejection’
Robert Half
‘To say nothing, especially when
speaking, is half the art of diplomacy’
Will Durant
‘I won’t insult your intelligence by
suggesting you really believe what you
have just said’
William F. Buckley
‘There are those who seek knowledge for
the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity.
There are those who seek knowledge to
be known by others; that is Vanity. There
are those who seek knowledge in order
to serve; that is Love’
Bernard of Clairvaux
‘His speeches go on for so long because
he has nothing to say, so he has no way
of knowing when he has finished saying
it’
John Major on Neil Kinnock
‘If God wanted us to vote, He would have
given us candidates’
Jay Leno
‘The older I get, the better I used to be’
Connie Hawkins
‘The problem with beauty is that it’s like
being born rich and getting poorer’
Joan Collins
‘Be yourself, everyone else is taken’
Oscar Wilde
‘If only I had a little humility, I’d be
perfect’
Ted Turner
‘On a coffin there are two dates; the
date of your birth, the date of your
death and there is a little dash in
between the two – the hyphen. The most
important of those three things on the
coffin is actually the hyphen,
representing your life between birth and
death’
Sister Anne Donockley,
an Augustinian nun from Cumbria, who
died of a heart condition in April 2016.
Parsons Pointers
with John Parsons
My paper has a daily feature from the First World War 100 years ago. The
other day as I read that day's offering it struck me that 2016 marked the
centenary of my parents’ wedding on Christmas Eve. Dad was in the
services at the time. People of that generation lived through uncertain
times. As youngsters, their country had been at war in South Africa and in
due course they were to endure another war. In my parents’ case, they were
also to lose their first born, my brother Michael, who was killed in air
operations in 1943. Actually it was only a few years ago that we found out
what happened to his plane, mainly through the work of a German
researcher. Michael’s posthumous daughter was at last able to visit her
father’s resting place.
‘Families are so important’
Families are so important and they
each have many stories and they are
precious. In our family there was an
occasion when my mother in her sixties had
got terribly worried that there may be something wrong with their
marriage. She was baptised Mary Margaret but always called Maggy at
home as a girl. So when they married, Dad put her name on the marriage
certificate as Margaret Mary. She got so worked up about this that a letter
was sent to the Registrar General’s office asking if it could be put right.
‘I give thanks for the love my parents gave to each other’
There was a very courteous response to the effect that it could only be
accomplished by a visit to the original Registry Office. But the writer added
very gently that the certificate in its present form did not invalidate the
marriage. I remember being very impressed by the kindness of the writer
of this letter. As a Civil Servant, it pleased me to see humanity coming
through an official source. That whole episode bore in on me the
importance of marriage and family and the importance also of realising
how troubled people can become about what to others may seem small
matters.
‘Love and peace are estimable qualities’
And so, as I reflect on this centenary, I give thanks for the love my parents
gave to each other and to all of us and I thank God that our children have
not had to endure that tragedy of large-scale wars affecting every aspect
of life. Love and peace are estimable qualities; they need to be valued and
perpetuated. And that requires effort and quite often a good slice of prayer
for good measure! And a happy Christmas and New Year to all our readers.
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
LETTERS
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT –
CARISBROOKE CASTLE MUSEUM (IoW)
CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
e School
In 2022 St Mary¹s College and Charlton Hous
nary. Did
(Southampton) will be celebrating their cente
taught
you attend either school as a pupil or have you
ols (now
there? We intend to publish a history of the scho
wish to
renamed St Mary¹s Independent School) and
like to
include your memories of college life. If you would
e email
contribute an article or photos, pleas
iscences.
[email protected] with your remin
website:
Information will also be available on the
www.stmaryscollege.co.uk
Pell Wall
Former pupils and staff of St Joseph¹s College,
are also
Hall and St Edward¹s College (Market Drayton)
encouraged to contact.
Mr T Olding
Archivist
St Mary s College
57 Midanbury Lane
Bitterne Park
Southampton
SO18 4DJ
DOES BREXIT
DIVIDE?
Regarding a divided nation
referred to in the editorial
[PP Oct-Dec 2016]: we are a
divided diocese – the Channel
Islands are not in the EU – so
Brexit would unite the whole
diocese.
Barry Hudd
Reading
Note: The islands are not
part of the United Kingdom
or European Union, but
rather are possessions of
the British Crown with
adminisindependent
trations. Their inhabitants
are British citizens.
8
We are looking for older people who have worked in agriculture on the Isle
of Wight to get involved in an exciting oral history project to share and
record their personal memories of Island farming in the past.
Oral history is all about recording the memories of older people and
storing them for future generations. This project will enable us to add to
our archive of Island voices that have so far gone unrecorded.
We would like to talk to people who can share with us memories of how
farming has changed in their lifetime. We would especially like to
interview people in the older years of their lives. We are particularly
interested in the East Wight area of the Island.
If you are someone (or you know of someone) who enjoys talking about
times past and would like to share their memories please contact using
the information below and we can tell you more about what’s involved.
Lisa Kerley
Oral History Project Co-ordinator
Carisbrooke Castle Museum, Castle Hill, Carisbrooke, PO30 1XY
Tel: 866529 or 07718 680396
Email: [email protected]
INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE
Are you Catholic, and would like to learn more
about other religions?
Are you Pope Francis' biggest fan?
Are you a person of faith and would like to know
why Catholics might be interested in building a
relationship with you on that basis?
Are you Catholic and have friends and family
from other religions who would appreciate a
message for their festivals (but you need a
reminder like most of us)?
Do you want to know how people of faith(s)
talking to each other and working together
can make the world a better place for all?
Would you like to hear what the Catholic
Church is doing about that?
Or are you sceptical about the whole idea?
- all excellent reasons to sign up at
http://eepurl.com/cavnJ9 for our newsletter
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
Katharina Smith-Müller
Interreligious Adviser to the
Catholic Bishops' Conference
of England and Wales
Catholic Trust for England and Wales
39 Eccleston Square London SW1V 1BX
POSITIONING
STATEMENT
You asked for suggestions for a
suitable positioning statement
so how about ‘The Catholic Way
and the Lifestyle’ or just ‘The
Catholic Way and Lifestyle’?
Barry Burns
St Helier
Do other readers have
suggestions for the mag’s
positioning statement?
Ed.
LETTERS
LIVING THE LIFE
October/December
I notice on page 1 under your editorial in the
life-style magazine for
issue there is a phrase: ‘Portsmouth People,
faith’. I am not sure
those practising or interested in the Catholic
it is it should be for
what a ‘life-style magazine’ is, but whatever
people living the Catholic faith.
Tom McCarthy
Southsea
TIBI GRATIAS
Through the courtesy of Portsmouth People may I say a very public
and warm ‘Thank you’ to John Tangney and staff (Tangney Tours).
I was a member of the recent Lourdes pilgrimage led by Bishop Philip
when our return plane developed a minor fault and had to return to
Lourdes. The whole 160 of us were again accommodated where we
had been staying and where we were greeted by John Tangney
himself. He had travelled overnight to be with us in order to explain
matters and to apologise.
On our arrival in Southampton, the transferring Guernsey
passengers were quickly ushered through to the connecting flight
which had been waiting for us.
On behalf of two Guernsey pilgrims, thank you for the
professionalism, consideration and compassion we received.
LETTER FROM CAMB
ODIA
[Jennifer Taylor picks up on
her letter in our previous iss
ue]
Came straight into the culture
shock, the place I am living is
one
step up from the slum areas.
It is two houses with large roo
ms,
kitchen, living area. Very bas
ic, but clean. There are two
lovely
cleaners here everyday. A coo
k, the food is excellent. We hav
e 24hour guards at the houses, the
y sleep in the living area, so alw
ays
protected. I was surprised at
the size of my room: two dou
ble
beds, a lockable chest of dra
wers. I have an en-suite wet
room,
large and fully tiled. Wasn't
expecting that. We all eat tog
ether
next door.
Sorry to bore non-Catholics,
but here they practice intinct
ion. It
was a bit of a shock.
My first day I had my orienta
tion, a city tour and got a mo
bile
phone and SIM to use here. Tha
t was useful to get bearings.
The
contrast between the more tou
risty areas, nice restaurants
and
the place we live is stark. The
slum areas where I will be wor
king
again another big contrast.
Think that is all for now.
Some friends have asked for
the just giving page again, as
they
can't find it: www.justgiving.c
om/crowdfunding/jennifer-tay
lor-2
Jennifer Taylor
Phnom Penh (previously Po
rtsmouth)
The same thanks are due to PP. We do appreciate all the good work.
Please keep PPcoming. We all love it.
Kath Daley
Guernsey
The full copy of Jennifer’s
letter appears as an online
attachment to this issue at
www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
VOLUNTEER MISSIONARY MOVEMENT
VMM International has launched its short-term volunteering programme for
2016/17, offering the chance of a three-to-six-week placement in Africa tailored to
the individual applicant. Opportunities range from teaching and community
development work to construction in countries such as Uganda, Malawi and Ghana all
within the framework of an unforgettable experience of international development.
VMM was formed as the Volunteer Missionary Movement in 1969, a way for lay
people to participate in the mission of the Church. It continues to operate as an
international lay Christian organisation, with around 70% of its partners in Africa
being faith-based or diocesan bodies. VMM has offices in Liverpool, Glasgow and
Dublin.
If you are interested in the initiative please contact.
Patrick Harte UK media assistant
VMM England & Wales
t: +44 0151 291 3438
www.vmminternational.org
England and Wales Registered Charity No. 1078695
Scotland Registered Charity No SCO42896
The Editor regrets being unable (1) to
enter into correspondence other
than through the pages of the
magazine and (2) to accept for
publication any copy, including
LETTERS, submitted other than
electronically. Unless by special
arrangement LETTERS carry the
writer’s name and general location.
Anonymous LETTERS cannot be
accepted for publication.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
9
MOVERS...
MOVERS and SHAKERS
We pick up on the enthusiasm and achievement across our diocese
FOUR
SCORE:
Congratulations
and
Many Happy Returns to
Bishop Crispian on
recently celebrating his
80th birthday. Ad multos
gloriosque annos!
NEW CLERGY APPOINTMENTS
wef 6 January: Fr Rajesh Abraham to St
Bernard’s, Holbury and St Michael’s Hythe
as Parish Priest; Fr Mark Whiting to St
Patrick’s Hayling Island as Priest in Charge:
Monsignor Jeremy Garrett to Sacred Heart
and St Peter’s Waterlooville as Parish Priest
and Co-ordinating Pastor/Dean; Fr Tomy
Chirackalmanavalan to Holy Family
Millbrook and St Vincent de Paul
Lordswood as Assistant Priest.
PAPAL AWARD FOR MRS MARY
REYNOLDS: Last year, Bishop Richard
Moth (A&B Diocese) recommended Mrs
Mary Reynolds, former Director of the
Catholic Schools Service, to the Vatican for a
papal award in recognition of her
outstanding contribution to Catholic
education, both in the diocese and
nationally, for over 40 years. At the request
of the Bishop, the news that Pope Francis
had appointed her a Dame of the Order of St
Gregory the Great was shared with Mary and
her husband, Philip, by Monsignor John Hull
at a private luncheon he hosted for them.
Cardinal Cormac, who appointed Mary as
Director in 2000, made the formal presentation of the award [see inset] during Mass
on Sunday, 9 October, at St Edward’s, her
parish church in Windsor. The parish priest,
Canon David Hopgood, organised the Mass
very much as a parish celebration of the
Pope’s recognition of Mary’s work in Catholic
education.
10
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
THE POPE VIDEO is a global initiative developed by the Pope’s Worldwide
Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer) to disseminate the monthly intentions
of the Holy Father concerning the challenges facing humanity. The videos seek
to unite people in praying with Pope Francis for those challenges. The Project
has the support of the Vatican Television Center (CTV), sole owner of the rights.
For more information: http://www.thepopevideo.org
Fr ANTHONY PARIS was pleasantly surprised in
early November by his parishioners at St Alban’s
Church at the UK Defence Academy, Watchfield. Over
100 Catholics held a special 60th birthday party after
Mass where they gave him cards, a gift voucher for
some smart shoes, a lovely cake and a ‘60th’ mug.
THE MISSION ROSARY was introduced by Archbishop
Fulton Sheen in 1951 to be prayed like a normal rosary [see p16
PP Oct-Dec 2016] but with an added focus. While meditating
on each decade, represented by a distinct colour, the people of
a particular continent are brought to prayer: Green represents
the forests and grasslands of Africa; Red shows the fire of faith
that brought the first missionaries to the Americas; White/Plain
colour is for Europe, home of the Holy Father, shepherd of the
world; Blue is for the ocean surrounding the islands of the
Pacific; Yellow is for the morning light of the East.
THE FEAST OF SAINTS SIMON AND JUDE
(28 October) was the 60th anniversary of the
ordination to the priesthood of Cormac, Cardinal
Murphy-O'Connor, priest of our Diocese and latterly
Rector of the Venerable English College, then Bishop of
neighbouring Arundel & Brighton Diocese from 1977
until his translation to Westminster as Archbishop in
2000 and Cardinal since 2001. Ad multos annos!
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX parish of St Peter and St Paul, which worships
by kind permission of Bishop Philip and Fr Steven in St Joseph's Copnor, are
celebrating 300 years since the Russian Church arrived in the UK and locally have
been involved in the restoration of the grave of a daughter of Tsar Alexander.
Further details:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM0HoFNxaY
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/our-region/portsmouth/grave-of-russian-princesswho-lived-on-hayling-island-gets-a-royal-restoration-1-7523313
AND SHAKERS
BACCA (The Basingstoke African Caribbean Catholic
Association), one of the thriving community based associations of St Bede’s (Basingstoke), commemorated Black
History Month on Sunday 23 October. The commemoration
started with a mass celebrated by Fr Chris Rutledge.
Basingstoke and Deane’s mayor, Cllr Jane Frankum, attended
the mass and spoke to parishioners about the need to promote
and appreciate the affluence of the community - affluence
not in monetary terms but in good-natured people and selfless
giving, appreciating the contribution of a diverse people to
the development of Basingstoke. Now an annual tradition in
the parish, the mass with an African choir proved very
colourful. Parishioners socialised afterwards to foster further
the spirit of one community in Christ.
THE
ANNUAL
LOURDES
PILGRIMAGE FROM GUERNSEY,
led by Father Paul Dzwig, accompanied by
our new priest, Father Michal
Turbaczewski, was a great success. Thanks
to the kindness of the Passioniste Fathers
who allowed the use of their house in
Lourdes, 15 pilgrims made their way to the
Shrine of Our Lady to seek God¹s blessing.
AS
A
FOUNDATION
GOVERNOR you would help
promote high educational
standards, ensuring that the
Catholic Faith is at the heart of
all we do. So, are you over 18
and a practicins Catholic? Do you
care about Catholic education?
Can you commit to 10-12 hours a
month? If the answer to these
questions is ‘YES’ then please
contact Diocese of Portsmouth,
Department for Schools, Park
Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester
Road, Wickham, Hampshire PO17
5HA or visit
www.catholiceducation.org.uk
THE HAVANT/EMSWORTH
WALKING
PILGRIMAGE
recently took pilgrims from their
home parish to the Holy Door at St
John’s Cathedral. See the online
fully illustrated supplement to this
issue at portsmouthpeople.org.uk
CONGRATULATIONS! Recently, the Parish of Our Lady of
Mercy and Saint Joseph in Lymington came together as one to
celebrate Cathy Pickles receiving the Bene Merenti Award and to
say thank you for the way she has touched so many lives over the
years. Her wide portfolio of ministries included 28 years of taking
the children through the stages of making their First Communion,
25 years of preparing them for Confirmation, 8 years as a Governor
at the Catholic Primary School in Pennington three as Chair, 16
years as one of the voices on Lymington Hospital Broadcasting Sunday Worship, a founder
member of the local St Vincent de Paul Society and so the list goes on and on.
CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Andrews who was
recently presented with a Diocesan Medal by Fr John O’Shea
on behalf of Bishop Philip in recognition of more than 13
years of service to Safeguarding as a parish safeguarding
representative for the parish of St James and William of
York in Reading. Angela McGrory, Safeguarding Co-ordinator
for the Diocese, attended the presentation of the award
during Mass at St William of York.
THE SVP GAVE NO GIFTS LAST CHRISTMAS. We give them
all year through. We give our love and friendship. A gift we know is true.
We support the lonely, housebound and those that need our care.
The gentle smile and listening ear is how we say our prayer.
So now the cards and trimmings have gone and there’s nothing left to see,
The gift we gave at Christmas is still here. It’s us – the SVP.
GARETH MALONE’S CONTEST to find Britain’s most entertaining, undiscovered,
amateur choir recently visited St Mary and St Jospeh Church (Guernsey):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b083d4lz
THE CONFRATERNITY OF ST PETER is a society whose members support the charism
of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, praying for its seminarians and priests and for priestly
vocations and ministry in general to the service of the universal Church: www.fssp.org
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
11
PRIE-DIEU
LIVE ISSUES
EVER NEW
gracious in your forgiving,
compassionate in your enabling,
bestowing reverence and respect.
for I realise that I am holy ground,
and am standing on holy ground,
the good earth of your creation.
Loving Lord,
so it is vital for each one of us
to learn how to respond wholeheartedly
to the here and the now.
For that is the only place you can be
found.
Loving Lord,
by giving the gift of the present moment
you help us to avoid unnecessary stress
and strain.
You free us to accept whatever gifts you
wish to give.
You bring fresh vision
to see and appreciate
that all is gift,
whatever way you wrap up the gift.
Loving Lord,
the jigsaw pieces all begin to fit,
the whole pattern becomes clearer.
Reverence and respect blossom
with that growing awareness
that we all belong,
each of us with a unique gifted part to
play
in the building up of a better world,
which is your kingdom on earth
as it is in heaven.
Loving Lord,
too often too many folk
try to find you in the there and then.
Which is a futile task.
That way you will be missed.
Loving Lord,
you teach how to be open-handed
and open-hearted.
You teach us the full meaning of
‘Present’ – here, and gift.
Loving Lord,
thank you for the precious gift
of knowing that all is new every moment.
Amen.
Loving Lord,
you are never ahead, nor behind.
You are always alongside,
encouraging, guarding, guiding,
Giving all that is needed to hope and
cope
in the present moment,
prodigal in your giving,
Loving Lord,
once I truly begin living in the present
you give me fresh eyes to see,
fresh ears to hear,
fresh heart to understand
that there is no such thing
as a split between secular and sacred.
All is sacred,
Loving Lord,
you are always present
in the here and the now.
You are the bringer
of something fresh each moment.
You are never not here.
You are never not now.
LIVE ISSUES:
M
any otherwise well-informed
Catholics do not understand
the Church's teaching about
human embryos.
A new life begins at the moment of
conception, with the fusion of sperm
with ovum, whether inside the mother
or by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) on a laboratory slide. One
of the makers of the first ‘test-tube baby’ described the
few-days-old, full-stop-sized embryo as ‘a microscopic
human
being
in the very earliest stage of its
development’ (A Matter of Life, Steptoe and Edwards).
Many human embryos are daily destroyed by so-called
contraceptive pills and the ‘morning-after pill’ which have
a back-up effect of ending any lives which have begun.
Dominica Roberts
Although kindly meant in giving parents much-wanted
children, IVF involves large-scale destruction of early
human beings as failing ‘quality control’ or as being
otherwise ‘surplus to requirements’. A child should be
created through the sexual love of man and woman, not by
a scientist in a laboratory dish as if he or she were a
manufactured object.
12
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
© Denis Blackledge SJ
Fr Denis Blackledge is
parish priest of St Francis
Xavier’s Liverpool.
Human embryos
As a practical matter, enormous sums have been wasted on
human embryonic stem cell research involving the
harvesting of cells from an embryo, an absolutely
unacceptable act which destroys very young humans
without even producing much useful knowledge.
The Church approves of ethical research that involves stem
cells from adult tissues and the umbilical cord, which is
already producing treatments for over 150 conditions.
See http://corethics.org and https://lozierinstitute.org/
for more on the scientific objections to some of these
techniques.
For quotations from Church documents, Donum vitae,
Veritatis splendor and Evangelium vitae, see the online
supplement to this edition of Portsmouth People.
Dominica Roberts is a parishioner of St Joseph and St
Margaret Clitherow in Bracknell, and active in several
pro-life groups.
What's in a Word:
SAFEGUARDING
This is IT!
PP looks at soft and hardware of
interest for the home, school or parish
S
UNHCR
In highlighting the ongoing plight of refugees, the UN Refugee Agency
has given more oomph to its website and also made it much more
accessible: www.unhcr.org
Safeguarding means: protecting such persons from abuse and
maltreatment; preventing harm to their health or development;
ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and
effective care and taking action to enable the best outcomes.
CYCLE REPUBLIC
Whether your winter fitness routine prompts you to ride to Mass – ‘See
and be seen’ - or whether you’re in the saddle with the cycle-to-work or
other scheme, this site will help steer you in the right direction:
www.cyclerepublic.com
The DSC (Diocesan Safeguarding Commission) to Portsmouth
Diocese, co-ordinated by Ms Angela McGrory –
[email protected]
- continues to deliver training across
the length and breadth of the Diocese.
Over the last 12 months 499 persons
have attended child protection (CP)
training and 293 have attended
safeguarding vulnerable adults (VA)
sessions. Furthermore, our DSC has
provided combined CP and VA
Refresher sessions across the Diocese in
the past year to 315 delegates.
IMAGE-WATERMARKING TOOL
Images you share on the web can be lifted and used elsewhere without
your permission. Although you cannot stop this happening, you can gain
some protection for yourself and/or others by adding a clear watermark.
A useful tool can be downloaded free of charge from www.gfxmark.com
MUM’S THE WORD
Well, that’s certainly so at Mothercare, where they recently revamped their
website, following a 15% increase in online sales, to better accommodate
mobile devices: www.mothercare.com
FREE VOICE AND VIDEO CALLS
Google’s DUO app and LINE (line.me) are useful tools for all manner of
parish and other group connections.
COUGHS AND SNEEZES
This is the time of year for catching a bug, feeling under the weather …
Useful sites to get you on the road to recovery include:
www.ebs.ncrs.nhs.uk, patient.emisaccess.co.uk and www.nhs.uk
IS THERE A POPE IN YOUR FAMILY?
At ChronoplexSoftware.com they design quality genealogy software for
Windows® whether you're just starting out tracing your roots or a more
experienced genealogist. The flagship product, My Family Tree™
downloadable for free, was first released in 2010 and has been developed
continuously since then.
TORRENTS OF DATA
BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file-sharing method to download music,
videos, software … For further details and the official torrenting program:
www.bittorrent.com
WELCOME WELLCOME
The Wellcome Trust, the world’s second-largest private funder of medical
research, has relaunched its website by way of promoting better
understanding of its work: welcome.ac.uk
ORCHESTRAS LIVE
Visit www.orchestraslive.org.uk helps promote classical concerts outside
London, notably in the culturally underserved areas of England.
MENCAP
The leading UK charity for people with learning difficulties has given its
website a mobile-friendly make-over: www.mencap.org.uk
afeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare
of vulnerable persons, notably children, and so protect
them from harm.
Angela McGrory
As Angela McGrory
explains: ‘In all, some
1200 individuals attended
safeguarding training
sessions in 2016, raising
the total number of
attendees (lay and
ordained) to more than
7600 since 2008. This has
been achieved most cost-effectively thanks to the ongoing and
generous commitment of our training team: Jo Hopkins,
Maureen Wiltshire, Sue Smy and Val Croughan. The team meet
regularly with myself and members of our Safeguarding
Commission to update knowledge and share experiences so that
we can ensure we are
always delivering a high
standard of training to
our volunteers who give
up time to come to this
mandatory training which
forms part of the safe
recruitment
process
required for any ministry
with Vulnerable Groups in
the Diocese.’
Safeguarding children and child protection guidance
and legislation applies to all children up to the age
of 18. A consequence of this is that Portsmouth
People does not carry the photograph and name of
any person deemed vulnerable. Ed.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
13
EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY
2
3
1
4
5
11
6
7
12
8
9
10
14
13
14
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
8 DECEMBER 2015 – 20 NOVEMBER 2016
16
17
15
18
19
21
20
24
23
22
26
25
27
28
29
THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY saw many pilgrims passing through our HOLY
DOORS OF MERCY in Portsmouth and Basingstoke. In celebration of the many who came to
visit our Mother Church in particular, travelling from beyond our diocese, from across our
diocese and from within our diocese, we post this token photographic record: Apostleship of
the Sea (1-10); Papal Knights and Dames (11-20); Havant Pastoral Area (21-30).
30
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
15
H&W
PROFILE
PRIEST'S PROFILE
Fr Claro has been flying high since
he joined us from the Philippines
Fr Claro Conde
Fr Claro V. Conde has been climbing to dizzy
heights since be was incardinated to Portsmouth
Diocese in 2010. Currently PP (Parish Priest) to the
Parish of the Anunciation (Netley Abbey),
Fr Claro was born in Guiuan (Eastern
Samar) and ordained a Redemptorist
Missionary Priest on 28 April 1981. Having arrived in
the UK to study in 1994, he took British citizenship in
2006. Fr Claro’s extensive and impressive c.v. appears as
an online supplement to this issue of PP (Portsmouth
People) at www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
It was on 18 August 2016 that Fr Claro ‘spread his
wings and took to the skies’. Along with parishioners
Barbara Reed and Patricia Rogers, he ascended 10,000
feet above Salisbury plain and jumped back down
again. That ‘Year of Mercy Skydive’ was to raise
awareness and funds for pastoral outreach charities,
works of mercy, welfare of seafarers, migrants, victims
of human trafficking & typhoon and disasters
appeals.
Fr Claro, certainly one for hanging on in there,
is already looking for volunteers to join him for
another skydive - this time 15,000 feet!
‘Likely Leapers’ are invited to email him in the
Cloud at [email protected]. In the meantime those of us who
mercifully prefer to keep our feet firmly on the ground are asked to contribute to the
good causes by contacting Fr Claro.
Hints & Wrinkles
The Process of Annulmernt
Who can apply for an annulment?
How could I enter a new marriage?
Every person, Catholic or not, can ask the Catholic Church to
investigate the status of his or her marriage. Should the Church
decide that such a marriage were null, this would be a declaration
by the Catholic Church that a particular union was not a valid
marriage.
Once the tribunal has reached a decision of nullity, and if agreed
by tfhe appeal tribunal, the marriage is declared null: both parties
to it are then free to marry. This is not Catholic divorce; it is
marriage annulment.
What if I was married outside the Catholic Church?
How can the church declare marriages null?
It may be that a couple entered a marriage with an impediment,
such as a previous bond of marriage; or that their consent was
invalid; or that there was something wrong with the form of
marriage used.
Is there any hope for me once I am divorced?
It may be that a Catholic person is divorced or that a Catholic
wishes to marry someone who is divorced. The tribunal is always
available to investigate a claim of nullity in an instance such as
this. The judges are only concerned with making a just judgement
about whether or not the marriage was null, this does not have
any effect on the legitimacy of any children born of the union.
16
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
Catholics are bound to marry according to the Catholic form of
marriage, unless they are dispensed.
What should I do to start an annulment process?
First of all, speak to one of the priests or deacons in your parish,
or perhaps to another priest or deacon known to you. He should
be able to give you a preliminary enquiry form, in which you are
asked to set out the principal facts concerning your marriage. This
form, together with copies of your baptism and divorce
certificates, is then sent to your local tribunal office.
PPP
PERIPATETIC
PP
We continue
highlighting
those places at
home and abroad
visited by PP.
BROADER VIEW
A Broader View
Lawrence Fullick looks at the wider world
USA – Latin America – UK – Ireland – Middle East
Africa – Spain – Germany – France
The news story of the last quarter and
indeed of 2016 is the election of Donald
Trump to serve as President of the United
States. The result surprised many people
in Britain and Europe but it was a very
close run election which might easily have
gone another way.
‘52% of Catholics – 62% of white
Catholics – voted for Trump’
One survey suggests that 52% of
Catholics – 62% of white Catholics –
voted for Trump, influenced by his prolife position, by a general swing to moral
conservatism and by a sense that people
in power in Washington did not recognise
the needs of ordinary people.
Geoff and Gina Poulter took PP
to read on Ilkley Moor Baht’ats.
They look cold as well as gifted:
Geoff and Gina - who attend St
Michael’s (Tadley), having moved
from A&B Diocese (Arundel and
Brighton), where they had been
directors of the Catholic Bible
School for 13 years - are part of
our Core Team for the Called and
Gifted initiative, full details of
which are available on our
diocesan website:
www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
There are grounds for concern about the
new President’s international policies. He
is an admirer of Vladimir Putin who is
seen by many as a dangerous force in the
world. This leads to concern about future
American policy on the Middle East and
on membership of NATO. Will he insist
that NATO members pay more towards
their own defence before America
supports them if they are attacked?
Trump does not go along with international recognition of the need to diminish
the negative effects of climate change. He
is likely to have difficulties with relations
with his neighbour Mexico and other
Latin American countries.
Trump has received support from a
surprising list of non-mainstream
politicians: the French National Front,
Greece’s Golden Dawn party, President
Assad of Syria, Viktor Orban of Hungary,
Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Nigel
Farage of UKIP
Britain is still in the period between the
vote to leave the European Union and
lodging the application under Article 50.
Legal and parliamentary procedures are
Further contributions to PP
welcome. Ed
making the process less smooth than the
prime minister hoped. A Supreme Court
hearing will take place before you read
this. As Bishop William Kenney said at the
Comece Plenary Assembly ‘there is very
little clarity as to what is going to happen
or what consequences will ensue’ from
the referendum. He spoke of the need
for the Church to speak for the
disadvantaged in the trade negotiations
Britain will have to enter. Cafod has
warned of the need to guard against
human rights abuses by British companies
as new trade agreements are made.
‘A British general election in
2017 is still a possibility’
The Irish representative at the Comece
meeting Bishop Noel Treanor said
‘Uncertainty reigns in Ireland’ having
regard to the border and the peace
process in Northern Ireland. A British
general election in 2017 is still a
possibility.
‘Uncertainty reigns in Ireland’
The problems continue with movement of
refugees from the Middle East and Africa
to Europe. There have been some positive
developments with the arrival of some
refugees in Britain. Surprising reports
arrive: for example resentment in
Northern Iraq at Canadian offers to take
in Yazidi people.
Spain appears to have solved its
government crisis with other politicians
acquiescing in Mariano Rajoy continuing
in government. 2017 will see elections in
Germany and France. Angela Merkel may
well continue as German Chancellor. The
French presidential election is open but
many think Francois Hollande is unlikely
to remain in office. The National Front
may make it to the second round.
Please try to enjoy a very busy New Year.
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.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
17
NEWS...
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: CATHOLIC YET? Perhaps you’ve
been attending Mass but you’re not a Catholic. Or perhaps you are a
Catholic but not yet confirmed. Well, don’t put matters off any longer.
Get that ball rolling. Contact your nearest Catholic church or drop a line
to the Editor (See page 28) to be put in touch. A warm welcome awaits.
Come on in!
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL
DAY 27 JANUARY 2017:
Every year the Holocaust and
other genocides are commemorated on the 27th January. The
support of Churches is warmly welcomed, in the simplest way this could
involve displaying themed posters and booklets. The theme for 2017 is 'How
can life go on?' To find out more and to order a free activity pack please visit
www.hmd.org.uk
FR BRIAN COYLE has been appointed the 18th Rectory of St John’s
Seminary, Wonersh, near Guildford. Most Rev Peter Smith, Archbishop of
Southwark, announced the appointment in succession to Mgr Jeremy
Garratt. St John’s Seminary was established in 1891 as the diocesan
seminary for the then Diocese of Southwark. It accepts students from several
dioceses in England and also from Wales and Scotland: www.wonersh.org
PORTSMOUTH
PEOPLE is
delivered to the following drop-off
points for onward distribution across the
immediate locality (other churches,
schools, hospitals/hospices, Christian
bookshops, public libraries etc.):
- RG1 3HW; RG30 2EB; RG31 5JJ; RG26
4HG; RG24 9DX; RG22 6TY; RG7 5TQ;
RG18 3AG; RG14 1JP; RG14 6NH
- SO18 6AP; SO19 9BD; SO17 3SB; SO17
1XJ; SO16 4PL; SO15 3JD; SO40 3AL;
SO45 5GR; Southampton Docks (Jersey &
Guernsey); SO50 9DF; SO23 8RY; SP10
3AD
- OX1 4LD; OX14 3PL; OX11 7AJ; OX12
8LF; OX12 8ER; SN7 7EB
- SP6 1EG; BH1 1BZ; BH4 9AE; BH8 9RW;
BH6 5QG; BH5 2BX; BH6 3ER; BH23 1EH;
BH23 5BL; BH25 6NT; SO41 9AQ
- SO32 1DN; PO17 5HA; PO16 6NQ;
PO12 1DF; PO14 2PL; SO31 7GH; PO2
9AZ; PO1 3QA; Southsea Hovercraft
(IoW); PO5 2PL; PO6 2JJ; PO9 1LP; PO9
5BD; PO7 7SR; PO8 9LL; GU32 3ED; GU30
7PT; GU35 0AU; GU34 1DN; RG27 9LA;
GU51 3RA; GU11 3JB; GU14 6JS; GU14
7PT; GU46 6NH; GU47 9BS; RG40 2HE;
RG12 1HA; SL6 9HG; SL4 3HJ; SL6 4PY;
RG10 9XP; RG10 9EL; RG5 3BH; RG6
7DA; RG2 8NR
PP’s
local
distributors are
alerted to the fact
that, following
our
communications with the
Christian charity
CRY
the
Southsea outlet
of which has long
been an outlet for
PP – some of the
Clive Wyatt
CRY shops located
across our diocese have established, on
the instigation of Clive Wyatt (retail
Operations
Mgr),
community
information points for promoting local
activity from where PP can also be
distributed.
Note: If at all possible, those responsible
for local distribution are also asked to
ensure that social networks online to
which they may belong - such as
STREETLIFE - continue to invite people in
their neighbourhoods to download PP
from www.portsmouthpeople.org.uk
18
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dates For Your Diary:
PORTSMOUTH
LOTTERY:
Portsmouth City Council is only the
second local authority in the country to
have its own lottery, launched in
November:
www.portsmouthlottery.co.uk
STREET
PASTORS are
volunteers from local churches
working for the Christian charity
Ascension Trust helping anyone in
need in busy town or city centres at
night. Would you be interested in
joining their number? Further
details: www.streetpastors.org.uk
THE ART OF DYING WELL
website was launched on 1
November offering a helping hand to
those grappling with issues around
death and dying. Based on the
Catholic tradition, but open to all,
the site features real-life stories
about the highs and lows of dealing
with the final journey: www.artofdyingwell.org.
THERE ARE NOW 2.5 MILLION
PEOPLE living with cancer in the UK.
For many, cancer can be the loneliest
place. If you’re living with cancer or love
someone who is, call the Macmillan
Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or visit
macmillan.org.uk
2017 MARKS 50 YEARS since the
Abortion Act was introduced in the UK.
BLOOMINGTON (Indiana, USA)
has renamed Good Friday as ‘Spring
Holiday’ in order to be more
‘inclusive’. Mayor John Hamilton said
the move would ‘better reflect
cultural sensitivity in the workplace’.
But the move sparked a backlash on
social media, with opponents
condemning it as an unnecessary
step too far in political correctness.
ONLINE SUPPLEMENTS to this
issue of Portsmouth People posted on
w w w. p o r t s m o u t h p e o p l e . o rg . u k
include: PACT (The Prison Advice
and Care Trust); Fareham Good
Neighbours; Called and Gifted; Fr
Conde; Laudato Si’ Conference
Proceedings; Live Issues addendum;
Arrival in Phnom Penh; Unlocking the
Bible (Training Course).
Date
Event
Venue
Further Details
19 Dec
PP Q1 ’17 distribution
n/a
Editor [email protected]
13-14 Jan ‘Can we handle the OT’
Bournemouth
[email protected]
27 Jan
Holocaust Memorial Day
n/a
See News & Announcements
27 Mar
PP Q2 ’17 distribution
n/a
Editor [email protected]
11 Mar
Flame 2017
London
[email protected]
27 Mar
PP Q2 ’17 distribution
n/a
Editor [email protected]
Fatima
Fr Drabik 07479 503813
15-22 May Pilgrimage
26 Jun
PP Q3 ’17 distribution
n/a
Editor [email protected]
25 Sep
PP Q4 ’17 distribution
n/a
Editor [email protected]
THE SYRO MALABAR COMMUNITY has launched its first UK
episcopate, based in Preston. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is one of the
22 Eastern (Oriental) Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. It is
the second largest Eastern Catholic Church after the Ukrainian Church and
the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian (Nazrani) denominations with 4.6
million believers. It is a sui juris Church governed by the Synod of Bishops
headed by the Major Archbishop. The Syro-Malabar Church is an Apostolic
Church which traces its origin to the St Thomas who was martyred in A.D. 72
at Mylapore, near Chennai/Madras. The early Christian community in India
was known as St Thomas Christians or Nazranis, meaning those who follow
the path of Jesus of Nazareth: http://www.syromalabarchurchuk.org/
FAREHAM GOOD NEIGHBOURS was started as a Millennium Project (in
2000) by Christians Together in Fareham and our aim is to provide volunteers who
are assigned to an isolated person and who visit weekly for a couple of hours just
to keep them company – to befriend them. Full details appear as an online
supplement to this issue at: www.portsmouthpeop[le.ork.uk
ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY has now established a Research Unit into Human
Trafficking: http://www.stmarys.ac.uk/modern-slavery/
LUSTY LEAVES POMPEY:
HMS Illustrious left Portsmouth
on 7 December on her final
voyage to the breaker’s yard in
Turkey. God bless all who sailed
in her!
BAMENDA LINK: To learn more about our diocese’s work in
Bamenda, visit www.bamendaandportsmouth.com
STOP PRESS:
• Zebra congratulations! Almost £90k has now been raised by auctioning
the ‘zebras’ [see p21] for zebra conservation work.
• A big welcome to Joseph Obada , cousin of the Parish Priest Father
Paul Obada (Parish priest of The Holy Redeemer Church in Highcliffe).
Joseph, on a short visit over here on holiday is studying in Rome to
become a priest and, God willing, has one year to go before ordination.
• 8 December marked the launch of Radio Immaculata by the
Marian Franciscans in Gosport.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
19
JFJ
?
?
? Just for Juniors
?
CROSSWORD
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
5.
6.
11.
13.
15.
17.
18.
19.
1.
2.
3.
4.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
14.
16.
ACROSS
Mary's relative who was also expecting a child
One of the gifts brought by The Wise Men
Where Mary laid the infant Jesus after
wrapping him in swaddlingclothes
The name of Elizabeth's husband
Name of the Roman ruler who called
for the census
An angel told Joseph to take Mary and
the baby Jesus to this country so they
would be safe
Occupation of Elizabeth's husband
The king of Judaea at the time of
Christ's birth
DOWN
This is what led the Wise Men
Name of Elizabeth's baby
Angel who told Mary that she would
have a Son
Where Joseph and Mary went to register
for the census
They were looking after their locks when
Jesus was born
Old Testament prophet who said that a
ruler over Israel would be born in Bethlehem
Governor of Syria when the census was taken
Joseph's occupation
Another name for The Wise Men
Meaning of the name 'Emmanuel' (3.4.2)
Where Mary was living before the
baby Jesus was born
Jesus was a descendant of this king
God said to Abraham, “Don’t hurt your son Isaac.”
Spot ten differences between the two pictures.
You can read this story in Genesis 22:1-19.
King Herod plotted to kill the baby Jesus when the wise men
visited him, looking for the newborn king.
Can you find all seventeen stars hidden in this picture?
Look up the story of Herod and the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12.
Turn to page 25 for the solutions
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 PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
ZEBRAS
Marwell Zany Zebras Trail
Throughout the summer, Southampton City Centre provided a fun, free activity for visitors called Marwell Zany Zebras Trail.
Thousands of people joined the trail using maps or apps on their phones to find 147 life size models in open spaces and 103 smaller
zebras in shops. The trail was aimed at raising awareness of the plight of the Grévy's zebras, all models being auctioned after the
trail to raise funds for conservation projects in Kenya.
Three of our Catholic schools entered zebra sculptures: Save Zebras by St Swithun Wells Catholic School; Eddie by St Edmund's
Catholic School; Zena by St George Catholic College. Well done to our students and teachers for their superb sculptures!
The Grévy's zebra (Equus grevyi), also known as the imperial zebra, is
the largest extant wild equid and the largest and most threatened of
the three species of zebra, the other two being the plains zebra and the
mountain zebra. Named after Jules Grévy, it is the sole extant member
of the subgenus Dolichohippus. The Grévy's zebra is found in Kenya and
Ethiopia. Compared with other zebras, it is tall, has large ears, and its
stripes are narrower.
The Grévy's zebra lives in semi-arid grasslands where it feeds on grasses, legumes and browse; it can survive up to five days without
water. It differs from the other zebra species in that it does not live in harems and has few long-lasting social bonds. Male territoriality and mother–foal relationships form the basis of the social system of the Grévy's zebra. This zebra is considered to be
endangered. Its population has declined from 15,000 to 3,000 since the 1970s. However, as of 2008, the population is stable.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
21
CROSSWORD
WOW!
Words of Wisdom for those
keen and ardent ‘wordsters’ among PP‘s readers.
Fascinating Facts
and Figures
One quarter of schoolchildren in
the UK currently receive private
tutoring.
57% of people in England identify
themselves as Christians (9% are
practicising).
St Lucia is the only country named
after a woman.
The average person looks at their
mobile phone before getting out
of bed each day during which they
then check it 85 times, so
spending
more
time
using
technology than actually abed
asleep.
Every year in the UK, £5.5 billion is
spent on pets, largely on vets’
fees.
66% of practicing Christians have
www.CrosswordWeaver.com
talked about Jesus to a nonACROSS
2. First murder victim recorded in the Bible
3. Lover of horses
8. This word derives from the Latin
for 'tent' or 'hut'
10. Biblical unit of length
11. The number of Gospel Makers
12. Number of jars of water turned into
wine by Jesus at the wedding feast
as Cana in Galilee
14. Industrious insect of Proverbs
16. Noah's ark landed in the mountains
of this region
18. First bird released by Noah
21. From the Latin word 'podium'
22. Son of Adam and Eve
DOWN
1. Most frequently mentioned animal
in the Bible
2. A semi-circular or polygonal vaulted
space behind the altar
4. Food of John the Baptist
5. The head of a column, such as in church
6. Number of soldiers under a
centurion's command
22
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
Christian in the past month.
7.
In the choir stall of medieval churches,
a bracket (often grotesquely or
humorously carved) beneath a
hinged seat which, when the seat was
tipped up, gave some support to a
person during a lengthy service.
9. (1) A rectangular building with a central
nave, side aisles separated by colonnades,
with or without a transept; (2) Roman
Catholic Church accorded certain
porivilegese by the pope.
10. Underground chamber beneath the altar
in a church
13. Residents of this town tried to build a
tower to heaven
15. The central area between the aisles of
a church
17. The number of Apostles
19. A church or chapel of a monastery
20. Christian symbol based upon
Greek acronym
A quarter of the UK’s 18 to 34year-olds think Jesus was a
mythical or fictional character.
In the UK each month we spend
about one billion minutes in
Church but 51 billion minutes on
Facebook.
36% of practicing Christians say
talking to a Christian about Jesus
was important in their coming to
faith.
Only 20 of the 196 countries in
the world have redefined marriage
counter to established norms.
Turn to page 25 for the solutions
POPP
• My second hallowed place was the refectory of Santa Maria
delle Grazie where I went to view Leonardo da Vinci’s Last
Supper [see inset]. Gaining entry is fraught with difficulties,
and at first you wonder why there is all the fuss. Standing
immediately in front of the masterpiece, one can feel a
deep disappointment because it has almost faded away.
Hardly visible is the depiction of the moment when Jesus
points out ‘one of you will betray me’. Da Vinci wanted to
capture the reactions of the disciples to those words of
Jesus. The reactions range from shock, surprise, anger and
upset to incredulity.
TOM’S
TRAVELOGUE
Fr Tom proposes
places of potential
pilgrimage …
I
n September this year I spent some fascinating days interrailing around north and central Italy, re-visiting places I
had been before and discovering new ones. I make no
apology for using the excellent Italian train system for my
pilgrimage. I started off in Milan where you might be
surprised to find many hallowed places. I had three in mind:
• The Duomo has to be one of the most majestic Gothic
churches in the world. The 135 spires are startling with their
numerous statues and gargoyles. Despite very strict armed
security you can
still climb onto the
roof from where
you
get
a
magnificent view
of the Alps to the
North. You can
easily spend hours
in the Square
admiring the front
of the building. My
attention was caught by a huge TV screen immediately to
the left of the building advertising Samsung - the sacred
and the profane brought together with the ancient and the
modern. There is plenty of modernity in Milan, especially in
fashion for men and women. It was strange to see men
wearing warm coats, scarves and hats in 23 degrees of
September sunshine!
When seen at close quarters, the painting contains many
surprises. For example there is the use of three: three
windows; the apostles seated in groups of three; and the
figure of Jesus forming a triangle. Many enthusiasts have
explored the significance of three in the mind of the genius
and most come to the conclusion that Leonardo had the
Trinity in mind. However the real surprise and shock comes
when you step backwards from the masterpiece. We were
told to walk backwards and keep our eyes fixed firmly on
the painting. I cannot tell you what happens because it
would be like revealing the secret of an outstanding story.
For you to know now before you have actually seen the
work would be a personal betrayal on my part. You must see
this masterpiece for yourself. When you do, watch out for
the finale. It is as good as it can get.
• Having spent four days absorbed in the architecture of
ancient and modern Milan, I then caught a very slow train
to Lake Maggiore. The Lake has several places well worth
visiting but I opted for the main resort called Stresa
[http://www.visitstresa.com/About_Stresa.htm]. A cable car
there whisks you to the top of Monte Mottarone from
where there are
spectacular views
of the surrounding
mountains.
The
fact that this is
Charles Borromeo’s
territory gives an
added dimension
to a very spiritual
delight. Every inch
of the lakes of
Northern Italy, with the surrounding mountains, is Holy
Ground: ‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does
my help come from?’ Psalm 121.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
23
REVIEWS
THE JOURNEY
Spirituality, Pilgrimage, Chant
J Richard Smith
DLT, pbk, 144 pages, 2016, £9.99
Intimations of his own mortality, owing to a
serious health scare, led the author to pen this
book. As one of the world’s leading surgeons
in gynaecology, and a specialist in cancer survival, he was drawn to
open up his own vulnerability, so as to enable and challenge others in
theirs to live life to the full. Much influenced by the seminal book The
Way of a Pilgrim, and by his parish priest, who was his spiritual
director, he opted for journeys of foot-slogging pilgrimage to some of
the ancient Christian sites in the Mediterranean. How he managed
Jerusalem in three days amazes me. He spent twice as long on Iona, on
Patmos, in Assisi, and also visited Mount Athos.
WHEN YOU CAN’T PRAY
Finbarr Lynch SJ
Messenger Publications, pbk, 176
pages, 2016, £8.99
The author, a skilled Irish spiritual director
and trainer, writes of his long and broad
experience of listening to others in directed retreats and in
spiritual direction. [His first book, WHEN YOU PRAY, was
published in 2012.] He writes to those who have reached “the
disarming point when prayer no longer seems to work for
them”. So the book is grounded from the start in lived
experience. Twelve chapters centre on individuals sharing their
experience of entering more deeply into the presence and
mystery who is God. Then he adds three final chapters to help
those who are spiritual directors.
All along the book is peppered with useful scripture quotes, as
he delves into the darkness, the cloud and the cross, as an
individual faithful to personal prayer becomes ever more oned
with Jesus, and gradually becomes the love of Jesus. This is a
prayer of faith, which gradually begins to reveal itself as
presence. In the end it is a gift beyond words and methods.
Perhaps one of the most important helpful quips once the
cloud descends is a quote the author uses by another Jesuit, Fr
Paul Kennedy SJ, long deceased, who once stated: “The great
thing is to want the darkness. The darkness is his presence.”
The author has done good service with his simple and clear style
to those who find themselves praying out of the depths and out
of their depth!
As he trekked he pondered, and struggled to put into words helpful
both to himself and his patients what he was learning on the way:
hence the subtitle of the book. He provides a holistic series of chapters
which encourage others to make the most of their time day by day in
the midst of their struggles as they live with cancer.
Much affected by the Celtic notion of “thin places”, spots where God
is almost touchable, he tries to bring this experience to others. It is
more a question of opening doors of spiritual possibility than of
necessarily arriving: the journey is what matters.
© Denis Blackledge SJ
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN,
THE GOSPEL OF RELATIONSHIP
Jean Vanier
DLT, pages xiii, 129, pbk, 2016, £9.99
Jean Vanier, who founded L’Arche communities and
Faith and Light, is a beautifully tender, loving and
compassionate man who lives what he writes. This
is the product of his experience, written with great
simplicity and depth. It is an enabling book, a
deeply personal and prayerful book, the sort of
book that will help the reader to grow in
relationship with Jesus, and with our sisters and
brothers whom we meet and greet each day.
Vanier clearly has an intimate personal lived knowledge of John’s Gospel,
and he takes the reader chapter by chapter through it. The titles of the
fourteen chapters of his book cover the twenty-one chapters of the
Gospel. He chooses chapter titles carefully, beginning with “The
Vulnerability of the Logos who becomes Flesh”, and ending with “Jesus,
Risen, Calls each one by Name”.
In his foreword, the author sums up succinctly his basic aim in his
writing: “My hope is that all I have received from John may be shared
with many others. John has formed my heart, my prayer, my life, my
spirituality and my theology. I am grateful to him. May each of us
become, as he was, a beloved friend of Jesus.”
Here is a book with true depth, which can best be read a little at a time,
a book to savour and enjoy, a book to pray with, or even to use for a
personal retreat. A joy and delight, I heartily recommend it.
© Denis Blackledge SJ
© Denis Blackledge SJ
24 PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
REVIEWS
COMMUNION OF SAINTS
The Unity of Divine Love in the
Mystical Body of Christ
Stephen Walford
Angelico Press, pbk, 393 pages, 2016, £17.00
At the heart of the Catholic faith, mirroring the great mystery of the Holy
Trinity, stands another mystery, that of the ‘communion of saints’, in
which the three states of the Church - on Earth, in Purgatory and in
Heaven - are united in sanctity and charity. In his new book, first published
in the USA, Stephen Walford invites us into this mystery from both biblical
and theological perspectives so we may better understand what it means
to be part of the ‘Mystical Body of Christ’. In a world where rationalism
and relativism seek to erase the divine truth of Christianity, the doctrine
of the communion of saints invites us to look beyond the natural and to
embrace the supernatural, united in love with the Holy Souls and Saints
who assist us in our journey toward the Kingdom of God. This book which carries a foreword by Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop
of Quebec, Primate of Canada - seeks to illumine, for Catholics and nonCatholics alike, the beauty of this teaching of the Church on the unity of
the divine love between God and man. Stephen Walford [see Personality
Profile p4] lives with his wife, Paula, and five children in Southampton. A
pianist and teacher, Stephen has also written for various print and online
Catholic journals.
WOW!
Solutions to our freeform crossword on page 22
A B E
S
P H I L I P
O
S
H
E
E
C
U
E
U
N
P
S
D
T A B E R
A
S
E
S
D
C U B I T
L
F O U R
Y
S I X
C
P
B
A N T
A R A
A
B
V
R A V E
L
E
B
B
P E W
Y
L
C
A
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P
I
I
T
S
N A C L E
L
R
I
C
O
R
D
R A T
W
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E
F
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I
S
V
S E T H
JFJ!
Solutions to our JFJ crossword on page 20
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
25
PILGRIMAGE
FAITH IN ACTION
Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage
Looking back over this special year, parishioners from Havant and Portsmouth reflect on their
Year of Mercy pilgrimage to Portsmouth Cathedral and how the story of the Lampedusa Cross
inspired one pilgrim’s life-changing journey to Santiago de Compostela.
E
1
2
3
arly one morning in
September,
eleven
pilgrims set off on the
11 mile route to the
Cathedral from SS Thomas
of Canterbury & Thomas
More Church in Emsworth.
Along the way, the pilgrims stopped at six pre-designated points
for short reflections using a Year of Mercy pilgrimage resource
prepared by CAFOD, CSAN and the Jesuit Refugee Service, which
included stories, scripture and prayers. As part of this journey of
solidarity, pilgrims were asked to bring their passport or a mock
up of one, and a photo of their family; these were used at the
prayer stops along the way.
During the Year of Mercy,
Pope Francis invited
Catholics around the world
to make a pilgrimage to mark ‘an
extraordinary moment of grace and
spiritual renewal’ (Misericordiae Vultus).
The idea of pilgrimage is especially
powerful in light of the current
migration crisis. More people than ever
before in human history are now on
forced journeys very far from home.
The passports represented the fact that refugees’ official identify
is robbed from them as they lose
their homes and countries. Yet in
God’s eyes we all share one true
identity – as his children. Photos of
loved ones were reminders that
forced migration rips apart families
and communities. Some are left
behind because they are too weak,
or there is not enough money to
pay for their passage; some get lost
or die on the way.
As Pope Francis has said, ‘Biblical
revelation urges us to
welcome the stranger; it
tells us that in doing so, we
open doors to God and that
in the faces of others we
see the face of Christ
himself.’ With this in mind,
the pilgrimage was a way
to show parishioners’
solidarity with all those
fleeing war, poverty and
persecution in this world.
By the time the pilgrims arrived at
Portsmouth Cathedral their
numbers had swelled
to thirty five. On
arrival,
Havant’s
parish priest, Father
Leslie Adams, was
there to greet the
pilgrims and lead
them
in
prayer
through
the
Cathedral’s Holy Door.
5
26 PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
4
PILGRIMAGE
FAITH IN ACTION
6
10
9
7
8
Much appreciated tea and cakes were
provided by Lucy Sayer and her Discovery
Centre team of volunteers.
One of the pilgrims, Nigel Myall of
Rowlands Castle, then undertook a
personal pilgrimage to Santiago de
Compostela in Spain later that month,
taking with him a Lampedusa Cross.
The cross was made by Sicilian carpenter
Francesco Tuccio, who made the first such
cross from the wreckage of a boat that
sank off the island of Lampedusa [see PP
Jul-Sep 2016 p26]. The boat was carrying
500 refugees from Eritrea and Somalia
when it capsized. 349 people died. The
local carpenter carved and offered crosses
to survivors as a symbol of their rescue
and a sign of hope. One of his crosses
was recently carried through the
great Door of Mercy at St Peter’s basilica.
Another one can now be found on display
in the Discovery Centre at Portsmouth
Cathedral.
On hearing the story of the Lampedusa
Cross, Nigel decided to carry one with him
on his 142km journey to share its story
with pilgrims he would meet on route.
11
When pilgrims arrive at Santiago, they can
take their pilgrim record and dedicate it to
someone who has motivated them on the
pilgrimage. Nigel dedicated his to Alan
Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy who
drowned off the Mediterranean coast last
year. He returned saying, ‘I have no
certificate with my name on to show for
my pilgrimage, but I gained more than I
could ever have hoped for in grace’ and
has now raised over £600 for CAFOD’s
Refugee Crisis appeal.
Throughout the diocese, schools and
parishes - including Corpus Christi, St
Swithun’s, St Peter’s, St Thomas More’s
and St Paul’s primary schools - used the
pilgrimage resource. Parishioners, school
communities and members of the CWL
and UCM wrote special messages of hope
to refugees which will be shared with
refugees in the UK or around the world
through CAFOD, CSAN and the Jesuit
Refugee Service networks. Some of these
messages have already been distributed
and all will be dedicated to refugees
across the world in a special event in
Salford this December.
It has been a year where we have seen
millions of people forced out by war,
poverty and persecution but one in which
each of us, inspired by our faith,
endeavoured to act in welcome, respect
and love.
Of pilgrimage
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
At the start of the journey. Parishioners
from Havant and Portsmouth gather for
a special Year of Mercy Pilgrimage
On the way
During the journey
On a bridge
Group photo 2
At the Cathedral. Maureen Thompson hands
Nigel Myall the Lampedusa Cross for his
pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
Other photos
7. Nigel Myall at Santiago deå Compostela
with the Lampedusa Cross
8. A young refugee in Athens receives a message
of hope from a parishioner in Portsmouth.
9. Pat Guegan, Branch President of Portsmouth
CWL and Sue Meece, Diocesan President of
the UCM pictured here with the Lampedusa
Cross at Portsmouth Cathedral
10. Children from St Thomas More’s Catholic
Primary in Havant on their Year of Mercy
pilgrimage to Portsmouth Cathedral
11. Man and boy from Syria in tent
12. Refugees looking at the ferry boat to Athens
To end the year, parishioners in Havant
then held a special event to bring
everyone together to reflect on the many
ways they had ‘welcomed the stranger’
throughout the Year of Mercy [see
centre-page spread].
12
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PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
27
SON OF ABRAHAM
SON OF DAVID
ISRAEL’S KING AND SAVIOUR OF ALL NATIONS
Scriptural Notes by Father Jeremy Corley
O
ne of the best
loved scenes in
the
Christmas
story is the visit of the wise men to
worship the infant Jesus. Only St
Matthew’s Gospel describes this scene,
which is often depicted in art under the
title Adoration of the Magi, and shown
on many Christmas cards.
Matthew uses this scene to indicate
something about the identity of the
Christ-child. He is the promised messianic
king of Israel, born in David’s home
village of Bethlehem. At the same time,
he is the Saviour of all nations, to be
acknowledged by people from all over the
world.
This identification of Jesus already
appears in the very first verse of
Matthew’s Gospel, which introduces Jesus
as both ‘son of David’ and ‘son of
Abraham’. Both these titles are important
in Matthew’s presentation of the
Christmas story.
As a descendant of David, Jesus is Israel’s
king, fulfilling the long-cherished Jewish
hope for a messiah. Hence the adult Jesus
will first send his disciples to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel. It is only
after many of his own people have
ignored his message that the gospel be
proclaimed to the rest of the world.
Whereas King Herod the Great had
lobbied the Roman senate to be awarded
the title ‘King of the Jews’, Jesus is the
true Jewish king, without needing any
imperial approval. Ironically, the Romans
later recognize Jesus’ identity, because
they post his title on the cross: ‘King of
the Jews’.
Yet Jesus will redefine the meaning of
kingship. For him it does not mean sitting
in a luxurious palace, commanding
flunkeys to do his bidding. Instead he sees
his role as a shepherd. As ‘King of the
Jews’ he will take care of his people, even
at the expense of his own life. As good
shepherd, he will lay down his life for his
sheep.
Besides being son of David, Jesus is also
‘son of Abraham’. He is the fulfilment of
the divine promise to Abraham that
through his offspring all the nations of
the world will be blessed. Much later,
after the resurrection Jesus tells his
followers to go and make disciples of all
the nations. His salvation is meant for
people of every nation in the world.
In the first chapter of his gospel,
Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the
legal (though not biological) son of St
Joseph, who himself is also called ‘son of
David’. In fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy,
this child is born of the Davidic line, and
he will be called Emmanuel, meaning
‘God with us’.
In fact, the wise men or magi symbolize
all the nations of the world, because as
Gentiles they come to adore Christ even
when he is a baby. These men who have
travelled from distant lands to worship
Christ foreshadow people of every land
who will come to worship our Saviour.
When the wise men or magi come from
the east, they are looking for the
newborn king of the Jews. They have seen
something in the night sky which they
interpret as marking the birth of a new
king. In a sense, what they see fulfils
Balaam’s prophecy that a star will arise
out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). Yet the
royal child is not found in Herod’s court,
but in the small village of Bethlehem.
Yet in his infancy, the newborn Christ is
taken away from the land of Israel into
Egypt. Together with Mary and Joseph, he
himself shares the fate of a refugee, like
millions of others all over the world,
before and since. We could say that like
Abraham, he shares the experience of
being a pilgrim, called to venture into
new territory in obedience to God’s call.
Later Matthew makes a play on the name
of Jesus’ adopted hometown of Nazareth.
The name sounds like the Hebrew word
‘netzer’, meaning branch or offshoot,
which was one of the titles of the
Messiah (Isaiah 11:1). Matthew finds it
appropriate that the messianic offshoot
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At Christmas we recognize Christ as our
King and Saviour. May we be guided by
his teaching, so that he may rule over our
lives.
[For weekly notes on the Sunday scripture
readings see: www.tarsus.ie]
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CHURCH IN FOCUS
With this issue we look at
the Catholic Church of
Our Lady & St Dominic
The next issue of
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
will be distributed
at the start of April
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