Statement on the IICSA report

The Conference of Religious of England and Wales (CoR) would like to express profound sadness and sorrow to all those who are victims and survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy and members of religious congregations.

We thank IICSA for bringing to light the acute suffering that has been inflicted over many years and our failures in safeguarding including engagement with victims and survivors. We also thank the victims and survivors for their courage in coming forward.  We are wholeheartedly committed to learning lessons from this Inquiry and making every effort to assist religious congregations to embed a safeguarding culture at all levels of religious life.

As Christians we approach safeguarding with a determination to protect people from harm – especially when they are particularly vulnerable. We acknowledge that in the past the needs of the vulnerable have not been paramount. We undertake to remedy this through a new approach to safeguarding within the Church.

Details: communications@corew.org

Rebuilding Our Common Home in the light of Coronavirus : An Advent Reflection for Religious Communities

CAFOD writes:

You are warmly invited to join us for an online afternoon of reflection in preparation for the Season of Advent: Thursday 19 November 2020 – 1pm - 4:30pm

Fr. Augusto Zampini-Davies (Integral Ecology dicastery and the COVID 19 commission at the Vatican) and Sr. Yvonne Mwalula (Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, Zambia) will speak to us on how Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ focused the world’s attention on the need to defend the poor and their natural environment, why this is more important than ever in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic and how we can make a difference.

You will also hear how CAFOD and the Church’s Caritas networks are coming together in response to this call to action. There will be time allotted for prayer, reflection, group discussion and asking questions of our guest speakers.

Please register in advance here: https://rebuildingourcommonhome.eventbrite.co.uk[KD1] 

A zoom link and instructions on how to join the event will be emailed to you. If you have any questions please contact majorgifts@cafod.org.uk

Living Laudato Si’ : lessons from Boarbank

To celebrate the recent fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’ a pamphlet written by Sr Margaret Atkins OSA – ‘Catholics and Our Common Home’ has been reprinted in a revised version, with the new subtitle, ‘Caring for the Planet in a Time of Crisis.’ It’s available from  https://www.ctsbooks.org

Sister Margaret, who’s based at Boarbank Hall in Cumbria, has spent decades talking about the Christian imperative to care for planet earth and the coronavirus pandemic has become a moment for further intense reflection on the environment:

“Here at Boarbank we’ve been thinking about these issues for a long time and during lockdown I had the chance to focus even more, given that what I usually spend my time doing such as retreats stopped happening” said Sr Margaret.

Adapting to the ‘new normal’  has involved a crash course in caring, in case emergency help was required at the care home run by her community;   there has also been the necessity to rethink her regular courses and retreats, to see what can be offered online instead;  and also greater time to be ‘hands on’ outside in the extensive grounds of Boarbank, learning, not least from the Boarbank gardeners, more about conservation, sustainability, tree planting, food crops, cuttings, seed planting, wildflowers and pollinators ….

Prayer life has been impacted too: “So many people have been in touch to ask for prayers over these difficult months of worry and loss. We have been drawn into much more intercessory prayer” reflects Sr Margaret, who sees the ‘pause’ that has been forced upon humanity as a moment to reassess many aspects of life.

Boarbank is a large complex with a Guest House in a 19th century building, a convent and chapel, a more modern nursing home and grounds equating to the size of a small farm, with fields, woodland and a substantial vegetable garden and greenhouses. Sr Margaret says they regard themselves as the guardians of a precious resource: “We’ve been asking ourselves, how do we look after all of this and what more can we do?” 

Sr Margaret

To encourage other congregations who may also have to tackle old fashioned buildings which are blocking their efforts to “go green”  - Sr Margaret insists obstacles can be overcome: “We have more than 190 radiators on one of our two main heating systems, but there are six systems in total. So it’s been a huge challenge but we’re delighted that a project that began a year ago to instal thermostats on each radiator has finally just been completed. So it is possible to make these changes, but it’s taken a year of planning….. We’ve also put in a lot of insulation which will make a huge difference to the heating bills in this very old building where we’re stuck with an ancient system. Future challenges involve changing the lighting system and installing more double glazing.”

Lockdown also provided the opportunity to focus more on the beautiful grounds at Boarbank.  The vegetable garden is already well established but more thought is going into composting and cutting back on waste, eg., when there’s a glut of tomatoes, the excess now goes to a local food club ;  a partnership has also been formed with a local group  to harvest all the plentiful apples to produce and sell juice locally. The windfall apples are included and juice is given back to Boarbank.

Planting has been another focus.  There’s been a tree planting project with a local school and sustained efforts to develop wildflower areas and lavender bushes, leading to a riot of colour, to the delight of the carehome residents.

Newly planted lavender beds

“There are a lot of challenges” concedes Sr Margaret. “Through spending more time in the grounds I’ve realised how much you need to KNOW botanically and biologically. It’s a very interesting journey that we’re just at the beginning of, but we can already see big changes.“

Sr Margaret has also become involved in preparing for a local ‘seedlings’ project – to enable people to grow their own vegetables even on very small patches of land: “People can share seeds, learn from each other and develop self sufficiency. It also reduces food miles and is good for community building.”

Tree planting project with a local school

Reflecting back on decades of commitment to ecology from a Christian perspective, Sr Margaret now observes the very striking convergence of faith and secular principles: “In a sense what we’re seeing is the Church and the world coming closer together around this issue, coming to a deeper appreciation of our common home. One of the really exciting things is that it’s an area where the whole secular teaching is converging on Catholic social teaching principles.”

“There’s also a connectivity in all of this,”  adds Sr Margaret. “As Laudato Si’ emphasises, if you do things better in one area, other spheres will be impacted for the better and as Pope Francis stresses, you can’t separate the cry of the earth from the cry of the poor.”

So to sum up, Sr Margaret hopes  to encourage other congregations to become more environmentally conscious and hopes the learning curve at Boarbank will help other communities consider making care of the environment central to their ministry and outlook.

A reflection on the pandemic by Sr Margaret Atkins OSA:

We have learnt how much we want to protect vulnerable people from sickness and death.
How much do we want to protect our vulnerable planet, on which the lives and health of all of us and every living thing depends?

We have learnt that we are prepared to sacrifice our travel, our comforts to reduce the spread of a pandemic.
What are we prepared to sacrifice to reduce forest fires, floods, drought and the destruction of other species?

We have learnt that we can act with boldness, energy, speed and conviction, that we can change our habits drastically and effectively, that we can work together as a global family, east and west, rich and poor, to respond a short-term and temporary emergency.
Are we prepared to do this to respond to a long-term and permanent one?

We have discovered the resilience of our local communities, the generosity, compassion and courage of millions of ordinary people, the inventiveness and creativity of the same.
How can we harness these to face the biggest collective challenge of all?

We have been given space and time to ponder and pray. We have glimpsed clean air and clean seas. We have listened to birdsong where once there was only traffic. Can we grasp the hope that this offers?

The Christian Church can make a unique contribution to the healing of our planet, in at least three ways. Firstly, if most Christians, let alone most religious people, were to live fully the ecological implications of their faith, their numbers are significant enough to reach a tipping point for positive change; we can be the anticipation of the kingdom of heaven, the ‘leaven in the dough’ (Matthew 13.33). Secondly, the Church can offer an existing structural model of an organisation that connects global with local moral leadership, understood precisely as service, along with a mass of members explicitly committed to trying to live well as communities. The Church also has a history of successfully effecting dramatic changes of behaviour; it is not far-fetched to read the history of the Church as a history of successive reforms. There is much here from which wider society might learn.

Above all, we have our faith. We do not need to invent a new way of living. Our saints have been living ‘ecology’, out of love of God, for the last two millennia. Let us take them as our models as we commit ourselves to acting, yes, with urgency, but also with calm and patient trust, as God is calling us to do.

Life in lockdown: the view from the Monastery

Sisters from the Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning, near Carnforth, in Lancashire, have shared their thoughts on how monastic life has changed during coronavirus. Their congregational website indicates how significantly they’ve been impacted:

“Normally September would start the new Bernardine year in the guesthouse and we would be advertising a whole range of events. This year everything is a lot different and we are still waiting for guidelines to ensure everything is safe for us and guests. We are looking at using the time to update building work etc. So at the moment we will remain closed for large residential groups and events.

The garden is producing a mountain of vegetables and we are busy making jams, marmalades and chutneys. In the absence of guests, we hope to sell these things online soon. “

Sister Elizabeth Mary leads the Community, having recently moved there from Brownshill, in Gloucestershire:

“As the novelty of lockdown began to recede and the reality of the presence of Covid 19 sank in, I shared the desire to DO something to help the nation’s effort, over and above the ‘little things’ we were doing: Community’s increased weekly contributions to our local foodbank, ‘staying safe’ so that we did not add to the burden of the NHS, sowing extra vegetables to reduce our dependence on food supplies, extra time of Community prayer together for the pandemic etc,. I think that this was a natural human reaction, shared by so many who helped produce PPE, delivered essential items to the vulnerable, kept an eye on elderly neighbours……..

All I seemed to have to offer was my prayer and the day to day commitment to my vows and monastic living. Then, a conversation from years ago flashed through my mind. Weeks before entering, I was trying to explain my life decision to a friend whose reply was the all too familiar phrase ‘what a waste’. After all, 30 years ago the shortage of secondary maths teachers drew financial government incentives to attract newly graduating mathematicians – I was ‘useful’!

The friend then reflected:  “I suppose the difference is that you believe in the power of prayer and I don’t” but, after a moment’s pause, she added “but then I would never not say a prayer whenever one of my children has an exam.”   The pandemic brought an opportunity to deepen my prayer, particularly the prayer of intercession and to live the 'starkness' of my vocation.

During the first months of lockdown I was also facing the probability of being asked to move to a new Community. I knew this would feel like an  ‘uprooting’ with an inevitable journey through grief. In solidarity with all those for whom the pandemic has brought the ongoing suffering of uncertainty, loss and bereavement, I have tried to live this generously in faith, trusting in God’s goodness and love.”

Reflections from several other Sisters at Hyning:

“In one sense monastic life is a classic ‘lockdown scenario’.  We’ve chosen a life of prayer, solitude and some degree of separation from the world.  We are a Community of 12 sisters, 3 of whom are sisters in temporary profession, comprising 5 different nationalities.  The oldest sister is 95 and the youngest member is 29.  This broad mix ensures a balance and richness in our community life together.  Work and prayer form the basis of our life.  We celebrate the Divine Office daily; it is sung 5 times a day in our Chapel.  This is our life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round we are ‘in lockdown’ with each other.  Of course, for us the main difference is that we chose this life, whereas during 2020 the various ways of lockdown have been enforced on the world-wide community because of the pandemic. 

Craft work during lockdown

None of us is perfect and we accept each other's weaknesses, knowing that we are stronger together, than alone.  When we are open, we are all involved in the work of the guesthouse in our different ways, from welcoming people at the door, domestic work and in retreat giving.  The main focus of our life is prayer and work at the service of God.  As Bernardine Cistercians we seek God through the work of hospitality and prayer.  When we hear our bell ringing it is a call to rise, to prayer, to eat and meet together as community.  The daily timetable during lockdown hasn’t changed, we still pray and work together. 

What has been the biggest impact?  Our welcome of guests.  As a monastic guesthouse we welcome guests into our home, into our chapel.  Receiving guests isn’t just about making ends meet or ensuring an income, it’s about living out our Rule that reminds us ‘that we see in our Guests the face of Christ’.  (cf. Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 53.)  So apart from limited family visits under ever changing rules, we have not received guests, given talks to groups or welcomed retreatants to the peace and beauty of our home and garden.  This has been very hard for us on many levels, it is as if a fundamental aspect of our life has been ripped out – so  a large part of our daily life has changed  during lockdown. 

Gardening has been a big activity in the absence of guests

We have tried to reach out in various ways during this time.  Several of the sisters have been involved in Zoom retreats and giving online sessions.  We have also used technology to accompany guests and give spiritual advice and support.  Numbers in our Facebook group and page have risen dramatically over the past few months.  Some weeks, thousands have tuned in to our Facebook talks, other weeks several hundred.  It has been a learning experience to be able to reach out to people in different ways.  We’ve set up equipment for future streaming, though for us, it’s not about being a performance but singing the praises of God.  

Over the past few months, we realise how fortunate we have been to have the grounds to walk in and pray, aware of the suffering of those locked down in high rise flats on council estates, individuals with no human contact for months, those in dire financial restraints etc,.  Each day we gather together for an extra time of prayer to pray for those affected by Covid 19, for those who have died, for those who grieve and for all those who have worked so hard to help all those suffering at this time. 

Soon available to purchase

On a practical level we have looked at ways of simplifying our life, decluttered the house where possible and tried to find ways of replacing some of the income lost from the guesthouse.   Like other people we’ve struggled on a financial level but are fortunate to have a garden and have been touched by the generosity of those who’ve helped us.  We’ve been converting the fruits and vegetables in our garden to jams and chutneys to sell on our Facebook page, looking at simple crafts to sell as well. 

It hasn’t been easy separated from our friends and families at this time, unable to help in many practical and spiritual ways.  We share in the suffering of our world, and we try to follow the rules imposed upon us.  Not being able to share our public worship for many months was very difficult and it is still limited by regulations.  We know so many people who have suffered so much that we know we cannot complain.”

Another Sister reflects :

“Lockdown for me was/is a call to intensify intercessory prayer through our monastic routine where we meet as a community for the Divine Office,  meals & some shared work in the garden & preparing gluts of fruit & veg.  We pledged 15 minutes as a community before Vespers for those suffering from Covid 19- which we have done faithfully & gladly.

The weather was beautiful & allowed me to do much needed outdoor painting of multiple exterior doors & fascia boards. Much intercession for Carers & the NHS. Much reflection on what we can learn from this pandemic & to prepare for future guests with upgrading of facilities & services.”

Another Sister reflects:

“Our monastic life is mostly lived within the monastery and grounds, so in some ways the lockdown was not too difficult. We have had time to deepen the essentials of our life and to appreciate even more the beauty that surrounds us. But it has been very hard not to be able to welcome here our guests, volunteers, Oblates, friends and family. So many come here for the peace of the monastery and the garden, and to join us in our Divine Office and Mass. All this has been denied them, and some have been lonely during these last months. We have kept in touch in different ways.

I have certainly increased and deepened intercessory prayer. Each day we take a short time together before Vespers to pray for all affected by the pandemic, and this has been a good thing to do, especially all of us together. In addition, I have been trying not to grumble but to remember all the millions who are living with much greater sufferings than we have known here.”

Tree planting to mark the simple profession of Sr. Mary Gabriel (left) in February 2019.

Long established Pauline bookshop in Kensington to close after more than fifty years

A message from Sr Angela Grant FSP:

Our Congregation throughout the world has been suffering the harsh effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our lives, on our apostolate and on our financial resources.  Here in Great Britain, for the past twelve months we have been undergoing a redesigning process with the support of our leadership in Rome and professional advisors who are sensitive to the Pauline mission.  This Covid-19 pandemic has forced the Trustees and leadership team to, inevitably, make some major decisions. Sadly, this has led us to authorise the closure of Pauline Books & Media Centre in Kensington on Saturday 24th  October 2020.

Prior to this pandemic, High Streets in Britain were being hit hard by the decline in footfall, by competition from retail giants and by increased on-line buying, particularly through Amazon. The commitment to our mission is the reason we have stayed there for so long, as our Pauline Centre is a visible sign of our Catholic faith, and our helping to promote Christian values amidst a consumerist society.

Since arriving in Great Britain in 1955, our Sisters have lived in London and, with great commitment, have been a beacon of light on the High Street through interaction with our customers, supplying various books and resources, and providing talks, animation and other organised events. We have enjoyed collaborating with the neighbouring parishes, bishops, priests, religious and many committed lay people in the Westminster Archdiocese, as well as other dioceses and people from around the world, as Kensington was a favourite stop-off point for many people.

We are most grateful for the many blessings bestowed on our community and mission over the past fifty five years. I thank all the people who over these years have supported us but, most importantly, who have believed in and supported the mission of the Pauline Book Centre, not only as a place where they could purchase something but a place where, in the words of our founder, Blessed Alberione, ‘the truth and love of Jesus Christ are found and shared’.  We hold special memories of many our supporters and customers, some of whom have gone before us to God in faith.

It is with great sadness that we withdraw our missionary presence from Kensington although we hope to be able to maintain a small community presence of three or four sisters in the London area. At the moment all is in God’s hands. 

In the meantime, we are redesigning our website www.pauline-uk.org and introducing a new telephone order line on 017535 77629.  We will be grateful for your continued support and we will do our best to serve you.  

Sr Angela Grant on behalf of the sisters in UK

Reflecting on the world we will leave behind for those who follow

By Sister Susan Reicherts PBVM, Nottingham Diocese Vicar for Religious

The question posed by Pope Francis  :  “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (art.160) – is a question that lies before us as we reflect on Laudato Si’.

Earlier this year, during lockdown, it was decided that given the pandemic, this year the Vicars for Religious would not have their usual “face to face” October conference in Leeds. Instead we would meet virtually and take the opportunity to have some input throughout the year from various speakers.

The first of the inputs was from Dr Peter Coughlan on Laudato Si’ – to coincide with the Season of Creation.   It is 5 years since this document was published and thus the 1st September was an excellent day to re-visit it. Since there is a tremendous amount to “unpack” in the document, Peter had to be selective in his presentation.  He set the question – “from your experience or reflection could you share what actions – from the most ‘global’ to the very, very local at home or overseas - you judge necessary or desirable to carry forward Pope Francis’ call for action in Laudato Si’?“

Pope Francis referred to Saint Therese of Lisieux, in inviting us to practise the little way of love, not to miss out on a kind word, a smile or any small gesture which sows peace and friendship. An integral ecology is also made up of simple daily gestures which break the sequence  of violence, exploitation and selfishness. In the end, a world of exacerbated consumption is at the same time a world which mistreats life in all its forms’ (art.230). Peter suggested three publications to us -

Laudato Si’ Study & Action Guide, produced by the Columban Centre for Advocacy and Outreach in Washington D.C. (www.columbancenter.org)

Dermot A. Lane, Theology and Ecology in Dialogue: the Wisdom of Laudato Si’, Messenger Publications, Dublin, 2020.

The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, Manilla Press, 2020.

Peter gave us the background to the Encyclical On Care for Our Common Home, beginning as far back as 1962 and Pope John XXlll – linking in with Pope Francis’s own journey to the production of such an inspiring and challenging document. When Pope Francis prepared this document, he did so with the deliberate intention that his Encyclical should play its part in a specific historical moment.

Laudato Si’ appeared in June 2015 - timed so as to enhance and encourage two vitally important meetings organised by the United Nations - and the Pope did this in close dialogue and collaboration with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations, his advisers, and the representatives of nation states who were working on these two meetings.

The first meeting was due to take place three months after the publication of Laudato Si’, namely the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, from which there eventually resulted the Sustainable Development Goals for the next 15 years.

The second meeting was due to take place six months after the publication of Laudato Si, namely the United Nations Climate Conference in Paris in December 2015.This meeting resulted in the Paris Climate Agreement of 12 December 2015. And that meeting had its roots in the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

It was these meetings, and above all the December meeting regarding climate change, that the Pope had in mind when he spoke in art.15 of ‘the immensity and urgency of the challenge we face’. Pope Francis wanted to influence the Paris meeting to the good.

For the first time, an Encyclical is addressed to ALL PEOPLE. Pope Francis says: ‘I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home’ – and reminds us of our shared responsibility.  ‘The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change (no.13).

The common good – care for our common home – is an underlying theme that runs through every page of Laudato Si’. This theme of the common good is inseparably connected with the idea of the interconnectedness of everything.

‘When we speak of the “environment”, says Pope Francis in art. 139, what we really mean is a relationship existing between nature and society which lives in it. Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it’.  Pope Francis reminds us that Creation has to do with God’s loving plan in which every creature has its own value and significance.

Teilhard de Chardin understood the process of evolution as all things being drawn forward towards the God who communicates his love. In the words of art. 83: ‘The ultimate destiny of the universe is in the fulness of God, which has already been attained by the risen Christ, the measure of the maturity of all things.’  Teilhard de Chardin and Karl Rahner point us towards an evolutionary dynamism that is truly intrinsic to creation, but which occurs through the creative and saving power of the immanent God – the Holy Spirit, who draws all of creation towards the Father through and in the Word made flesh.

Peter ended with this reminder from Pope Francis: ‘Joined to the incarnate Son, present in the Eucharist, the whole cosmos gives thanks to God. Indeed, the Eucharist itself is an act of cosmic love ... The Eucharist joins heaven and earth; it embraces and penetrates all creation. The world which came forth from God’s hands returns to him in blessed and undivided adoration: in the bread of the Eucharist, ‘creation is projected towards divinisation, towards the holy wedding feast, towards unification with the Creator himself.’ (art.236)

Francis of Assisi’s canticle is the vision of a mystic. We pray with him -

Praised be you, my Lord, with all your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

who is the day and through whom you give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour;

and bears a likeness of you, Most High.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,

in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.#

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind,

and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather

through whom you give sustenance to your creatures.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Sister Water,

who is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

through whom you light the night,

and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.’

Having shared such an inspirational, challenging and beneficial insight,   Peter was asked to give a second talk to any Religious who wished to hear his reflection on Laudato Si.   Thirty-nine Religious joined us on the second occasion. The feedback was very positive – a feeling that those who had heard Peter had been re-vitalised and re-energised to do our little bit and to spread the word with those among whom we live and minister…..

We are deeply grateful to Peter for reminding us of our responsibility and indeed of the influence we as Religious can have on people. This is especially the case given that the next crucial meeting regarding CLIMATE CHANGE will be here in the UK – in Glasgow in 2021.  We ask ourselves, what can we, as Religious do, to join with others, to influence this meeting?

 (Dr Peter Coughlan  was studying theology at the Gregorian University in Rome when the Second Vatican Council opened in 1962. After attending the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the staff college for the Holy See’s diplomatic service, he was appointed to the Secretariat for Non-Christian Religions (now Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue). From 1980 to 1991 Peter was Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. During this period, he was also a consultor of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, and a member of the Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches (headquartered in Geneva). In recent years Peter taught ecclesiology, ecumenism and ethics at Heythrop College, University of London. He now lectures at the Margaret Beaufort Institute in Cambridge.)

Green Investment / Divestment: what's it all about?

Catholic investment for an integral ecology webinar series: September/October 2020

This autumn, you are invited to join a webinar series to find out how Catholic religious orders, dioceses and other organisations can use their investments to accelerate the clean energy transition and support a green recovery. Speakers include Fr Augusto Zampini, Dr Lorna Gold, Stephen Power SJ, Sr Susan Francois CSJP, Lord Deben, Neil Thorns, Sr Pat Daly OP and Shaun Cooper.

The Conference of Religious is one of the co-sponsors of the webinar series, together with Operation Noah, Catholic Impact Investing Collective, the Global Catholic Climate Movement, CAFOD, Trocaire, Association of Provincial Bursars, National Justice & Peace Network and Justice and Peace Scotland.

Part 1: Fossil fuel divestment: Accelerating the clean energy transition

Tuesday 22 September 2020, 4.00-5.30pm

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/part-1-fossil-fuel-divestment-accelerating-the-clean-energy-transition-tickets-118279058849 

Part 2: Investment for a green recovery: Innovation in impact investing

Wednesday 21 October 2020, 4.00-5.30pm

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/part-2-investment-for-a-green-recovery-innovation-in-impact-investing-registration-118552167725 

Pioneering research project into the role of Religious in the inner cities

Austin Smith House in Birmingham

The Little Sisters of Jesus live on the 13th floor of an east London tower block, opening their home to the community

The Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham and the Passionists (St Joseph’s Province) have launched a  collaborative study into those Religious, who, motivated by a desire to put into practice an ‘option for the poor,’  have moved to the inner cities, the outer estates and tower blocks in the years following Vatican II.

One of the driving forces behind the project, Fr Martin Newell CP, who himself shares a house in inner city Birmingham with asylum seekers, explains that the project will look not just at the tangible realities and impact of moving to these areas but also at the inner life of prayer and spirituality that has led certain Religious to make these radical choices:

“Part of their spirituality was often an association with 'hiddenness'.  We think that it is time to tell this important story of Gospel commitment to the poor, forgotten and marginalised people and places in our midst” says Fr Martin.

The Passionists are currently in discussions with the Centre for Catholic Studies in Durham about funding for the  research; their vision at present includes events and publications that will reach beyond academia into wider Church and society.

“However” adds Fr Martin, “we also want to share this project with other Religious, who were mostly women, especially those who have been part of the story. If you or your Congregation are at all interested in supporting this project, please do get in touch.”

Bede Professor of Catholic Theology at Durham, Karen Kilby,  welcomed the collaboration with congregations: “We consider this a very important research project because the distinctive way of living out the religious life it will explore is so significant. We hope the research will provide the means to remember, learn from, reflect on and pass on to new generations something of the contribution of this group of Religious, and thus also to properly honour their work and their lives.”  

Fr Martin hopes that the research into the urban mission of Religious in the UK post Vatican Two will shine a light on a radical living out of the Gospel that has often been so under the radar that it’s gone unnoticed: "This is a good news story about the Catholic Church that up till now remains largely untold" he says.

Fr Martin can be contacted at : martinnewellcp@yahoo.co.uk

Fr Martin, pictured (centre) left, in Austin Smith House

A cry from the heart from CoR member, Fr Fadi Kmeid

A newly joined member of the Conference of Religious, Fr Fadi Kmeid of the Lebanese Maronite Order, has issued the following urgent appeal on behalf of the suffering people of his homeland:

Dear Fellow Humanitarians,

Fr Fadi Kmeid

On the afternoon of August 4 th, the skyline of our beloved city, Beirut, was tainted. Our people’s bodies were dismantled, limb from limb, after a most devastating explosion. Bodies on the pavements, bodies on hospital floors, bodies decapitated in crushed and blown cars, bodies humiliatingly lying in the middle of the streets, violated by tragedy. Every single body was accompanied by a phone, being rung ruthlessly by loved ones praying it wasn’t their daughter, their son, their sibling, their parent, their relative, repulsively torn apart on the gravel of their homeland.

More than 200 people died and more than 6,000 were injured in the blast, according to the city's governor Marwan Abboud. The explosion was caused by more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the city's port.

Our people are crying. A mother’s scream is distinct one. Our 10,452 km 2 bellowed with shrieks and wails of women whose children have been ripped from their embrace. Children screeched at the sound of smashing glass and fallen roofs. The streets were filled with shards of glass. People’s homes surrendered to ruin. Several hospitals were shattered. Warehouses stocked with medical supplies, demolished. The port, our main mean of importing supplies, food, product, burned to ashes. Grain, a nutrient so basic yet so necessary, has been wiped from a six-month reserve storage. Our economy will crash even further.  

The medical system is in turmoil because of the overriding pressure and lack of medical supply. Civilians are racing to hospitals to donate blood in the midst of a pandemic. A good number of local people are still missing, with hopeless alerts being sent around. If a mask was not being worn for the purpose of the pandemic, they are now being worn for the fright of getting poisoned through the soiled air. Despite all the distress being lived, our people still have the will to press the palms of their hands together and call for God.

Our country is bleeding. We are encountering a disturbance greater than all of us, and we cannot do it alone. The Lebanese Maronite Order has opened the doors to its monasteries and schools to house many nationals who have lost their homes and has medicated and cared for as many as seven hundred in its hospitals. It is our duty to help our people, and we very much hope that it is yours too. The donations will go to the LMO and ‘Solidarity Lebanon’ in order to raise a sufficient amount of donations to aid the vulnerable residents in restoring the homes they have lost to this disaster, as well as providing medical supplies, and food distribution.

They say Beirut represents a Phoenix, its glory shines exceptionally beyond the rest. It is a city that never sleeps. It is a city that is alive with energy, love, and laughter. Its seas never show fear and its streets never submit to the ordinary. And while it is in grief and sorrow, Beirut will rise from the ashes again, just like the resilient Phoenix it always has been.

While we are actively attempting to secure aid to our devastated nation, we need your help to make our efforts go even further.  Your support is crucial to our efforts in reinforcing hope to our nation.

We thank you for taking the time to read our message and for any potential contributions you may present.

Fr Fadi Kmeid

Our Lady of Lebanon - UK

Lebanese Maronite Order

You can help us by donating to the below bank account:

Account Name:                The Lebanese Maronite Order Charitable Trust             

Bank Name        :               Bank of Beirut (UK) ltd

Bank address    :               66 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AE

Sort code            :              60-83-75

Acc Number       :              12 02 38 02 

Purpose:             :            Aid to Beirut

Religious invited to support new project helping vulnerable women in Staffordshire

By the Sisters of Mercy:

In Stoke on Trent a group of concerned individuals are in the process of setting up a registered charity, Whispers of Hope,  which will provide a safe haven for women who are fleeing domestic abuse who also have complications regarding their immigration status. 

Sr Geraldine Sweeney

In November 2019, Sr Geraldine Sweeney moved from her community in Newcastle under Lyme to Avan House, a house in the Stoke on Trent area to become part of the hosting presence to women who have immigration issues and who are also fleeing domestic abuse.  These women have no access to public funds.  The project has established a “safe space” drop-in and the opening of Avan House will give women safe shelter whilst they are supported with their immigration difficulties. As Sisters of Mercy, we feel this work is very much in line with the support of women that our foundress Venerable Catherine McAuley encouraged.

Each person who is referred to Whispers of Hope is assigned a befriender and there are also volunteers offering English lessons. Each week, Avan House will have a house meal which female volunteers are invited to attend.

Although Whispers of Hope has only been established less than a year it has already had referrals of women from various agencies including the Asylum Nursing team and Staffordshire police. When the police visited Avan House they were very impressed and said that such a place was so needed as there is a huge number of incidents of so-called ‘honour-based’ violence in the Stoke on Trent area. Many women who are supported by Whispers of Hope are in the UK on spousal visas with a condition of living with their husband; when a woman leaves her husband, she is not entitled to any benefits and one of the first things to do is to apply to the Home Office to have the conditions of her visa changed.

Whispers of Hope are very grateful to the Institute for the donation which has enabled them to open Avan House.  Sr Geraldine Sweeney is living in Avan House as a member of the hosting community.

If there is any religious congregation of women who has a member who feels that this is a work that she could undertake, please contact Sr Geraldine Sweeney on :

geraldine.sweeney@iolmercy.org.uk

“A life of many blessings:” Ad Multos Annos Fr Paul

As the President of CoR, Fr Paul Smyth CMF celebrates the 30th anniversary of his priestly ordination on July 8, a message from CoR’s Vice-President, Sr Frances Orchard CJ:

July 8 1990

“As everyone knows, Paul is an indefatigable worker for CoR and this is an opportunity to thank him wholeheartedly for what he does for religious life in England and Wales as well as for his own Claretian congregation. May he continue in good health and vigour. I am sure he will be pleased to have our special prayers for today, and for the next 30 years.”

In a Youtube video released to reflect on thirty years of priesthood, Fr Paul looked back over his vocational journey, with contributions from those who have known him over the years. Now serving in Hayes in Middlesex, the parish he grew up in and was ordained in, his parish website notes:

In Guatemala, after ordination

“Born in Hayes, it might appear Fr Paul has not gone very far in life, though that would not be true.  After his ordination he served until 1996 in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.  From 1996 until 2008 he worked at the Claret Centre, Buckden Towers, in Cambridgeshire, before moving to Hayes for a year where he served until he went to Rome to serve as a member of the General Leadership team of the Claretian Missionaries from 2009 until 2015.”

During his time in the General Leadership team Fr Paul travelled all over the world; he recalls one year in particular where he stayed in eighty different locations across four continents!

Working for Solidarity with South Sudan

In addition to now being Parish Priest and President of CoR,  he is also Regional Superior of the Claretian Missionaries in the Province of Fatima in the UK and Ireland and in addition, President of Solidarity with South Sudan, an intercongregational project to help the people of that country.

In the Youtube video to celebrate his thirty year anniversary, members of his congregation and parishioners pay warm tributes to him, one confrere describing him as a “super active man!”  A longstanding parishioner who read at his ordination Mass said the parish was delighted that he is now back in their midst – adding jokingly that “he is very pushy – he always wants you to do things – but we love him for that!”

An accomplished cook, Fr Paul is the maitre d’ at parish events

Reflecting back, Fr Paul gave thanks for the support of his congregation and parishioners and said he’d been blessed by the opportunity to serve so many different people in so many places. He said that in compiling the video he’d been reminded of how his life as a Priest has been exciting and certainly never boring. He expressed thanks to all those who have supported him along the way – “a life of many blessings” he concluded.

To view the Youtube video, copy and paste this link: https://youtu.be/walk0ZO7tOU

Singing the Salve Regina with his congregation

Sunderland Sisters explore new forms of outreach after the acclaim of their Thursday NHS singalongs

Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland say they are “totally taken aback” at the international reaction to their weekly singalong for the NHS outside their convent – and are now actively investigating new forms of outreach to their local community, building on the links developed in recent months.

Outside St Anthony’s Convent

The Sisters witnessed a growing number of local people joining them with  every passing week. Their singing caught the attention of local journalists and was then picked up by global news outlets, featuring, for instance, on the main news website in Australia and also on CNN in the US.

The Sisters are well known in Sunderland for their role in education, but Sister Adrienne says the weekly community event has led them to forge links with  a much wider number of local people: “We’re getting so many calls from past pupils, parents and staff but there are now so many others who we’re able to reach out to, particularly the isolated. A lot of people were driving to the convent, parking up and winding down their windows to take part in the singing; there was a real community feeling. The response has been amazing, it really has snowballed!”

The Sisters are accustomed to being active in parish and voluntary work but during the pandemic have increasingly used the telephone to support people who are alone:

“A lot of people are feeling very isolated, and we have been able to reach out to so many more now. They are seeing us in a different way. They’ve known us as teachers but they haven’t seen a group of us standing in the street, singing and clapping!  It has really struck a chord and a number of people have contacted us, who wouldn’t have done otherwise,” adds Sr Adrienne, herself a former French teacher.

As a community they are now reflecting on the legacy of this experience which “came out of the blue!” “We want to build on these new links – we just think God must be opening new doors to us.”

The Sisters are also active in supporting the local school with the provision of a food bank  for those who are struggling in the current circumstances. “Some people are having a really hard time and parents know they can come and get a food parcel. Because of coronavirus we can’t get involved in the community in the way we normally would, but we feel we are reaching out through this means as well” reflects Sr Adrienne.

So what are the plans for the future?  Well  a recent initiative saw Sixth Formers compile a vocal compilation online, with students and Sisters singing together. “We’re reflecting on next steps and having conversations” says Sr Adrienne.  “So much has changed during lockdown. Even community life and our prayer life has taken on a new dimension. Not having Mass has meant each Sister has taken it in turn to prepare and lead services, which has been really enlightening and very creative;   we feel very blessed. We have bonded more in this time and the opportunity to reflect more on Scripture has led me to see things I’ve never seen before, despite having read the words many times in the past. It’s just a different way of seeing things. We’re finding a new way of living. Things won’t be exactly as they were……”

CoR appoints new safeguarding specialist

The Conference of Religious of England and Wales has expanded its Secretariat with the recruitment of a new Safeguarding Adviser. Dani Wardman brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked as a consultant helping organisations and institutions, including religious congregations, to implement and embed safeguarding policy and strategy. She has also worked in various roles as a volunteer, chief officer and trustee for charities working with abuse survivors. 

CoR’s General Secretary, Valerie Nazareth, commented: “We hope that Dani’s arrival will not only mean that we can help ensure better provision for Religious in terms of safeguarding but will also enable us to look at a wider range of issues - as time will be freed up to focus on other matters.”  The President of CoR, Fr Paul Smyth CMF added: “We had a very strong field of candidates and it was a competitive recruitment process.  We are delighted with this new appointment.”

Dani, who will take up her post straight away, said:  “It is a very exciting time to be joining CoR with so much impending change on the horizon. I hope to dispel all of the fear and anxiety around safeguarding and empower CoR’s members to perform their safeguarding duties to the highest standard. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and as such the process and policy needs to be robust but it also needs to be straightforward and accessible to all. The concept of safeguarding [to protect people from harm] is a foundation stone of religious life and therefore the process to uphold this fundamental practice should be just as intuitive.”   

One of eight safeguarding meetings involving over 100 people

The creation of the new Adviser role comes as CoR prepares to respond to the findings of IICSA later this year.  During June an extensive range of meetings were held, via zoom, primarily with congregational leaders around England and Wales,  to update them and provide information about an Independent Review into Safeguarding in the Catholic Church, being led by Ian Elliott.

CoR organised seven meetings for leaders and an additional one for safeguarding leads. Over one hundred people attended. Valerie Nazareth reflected : “It was a good opportunity to meet and we plan to have other similar sessions as matters develop this year.  We gathered a lot of useful feedback which will be provided to the Independent Review.”

Congregations urged to put their buildings at the disposal of the homeless amid the pandemic

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ visiting the kitchens of The Connaught Hotel where meals have been prepared to feed the homeless via St Patrick's, Soho Square.

Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, the chair of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, has issued a direct plea to congregations in England & Wales: “have you got buildings that you are no longer using or could spare temporarily,  which could be adapted to house the many homeless who are about to find themselves back on the streets as the lockdown eases?”

The government’s ‘Everyone In’ campaign saw 1,200 homeless people moving from the streets to hotels in Greater London.   Local authorities have now been asked to move on those clients.  Up to 70% of these have no recourse to public funds.  Overall, around 5,400 homeless people who have been housed in emergency pandemic accommodation for three months face the prospect of returning to rough sleeping.

“We are working with local authorities and businesses to ensure shelter, food and pastoral care to those who will have to leave hotels in early July,” said Fr Dominic, adding that some with health and addiction issues have been in better health in accommodation and still need support.

But he’s also issued a warning about a new dimension to the human misery : “people who have lost jobs and homes during the pandemic – and they are pouring onto the streets in growing numbers – who need to be looked after.”

Caritas Westminster is keen that none of the people who’ve had a break from rough sleeping have to return to the streets.  It’s appealing for any accommodation across London and Hertfordshire, that might be used to house those individuals.  There will be a full risk assessment with support from the local authorities and agencies, prior to accepting an offer. 

Central London Catholic Churches have been providing emergency food for up to 200 people daily in Trafalgar Square. “Some funds are being promised to rehouse the homeless currently in hotels and we stand ready to work together for a permanent and holistic solution to this affront to human dignity which sees those who have lost everything with nowhere to turn” said Fr Dominic.

Any congregation that might be in a position to  help is asked to email: merielwoodward@rcdow.org.uk 

Suffolk friar takes on feared TV quiz show Chasers

Published by Keith Morris at May 2, 2020

Fr George Donaghy with Beat the Chasers host Bradley Walsh. Picture copyright ITV/Matt Frost/Shutterstock.

A Suffolk Augustine friar was among the first to take on the feared Chasers in new ITV quiz show Beat the Chasers last week.

Fr George Donaghy (OSA), who is based at Clare Priory in Suffolk, took to the stage in the first-ever edition of the new show, broadcast on April 27, but which was filmed at the famous Elstree Studios in north London, back in January. The show pits contestants against up to five of the infamous quizzers.

Fr George, appearing in his collar and habit, was among 10,000 applicants for the show in which he could potentially win many thousands of pounds.

When Fr George, currently part of the Diocese of East Anglia but originally from Birmingham, joined host Bradley Walsh on stage he joked about being a window cleaner and said he might spend any winnings on a Mississippi river boat cruise.

He then correctly answering multiple choice questions about Marmite and Hiccup the Hamster to win himself £2,000 with which to take on the Chasers before getting wrong a question about St Isidore of Seville – patron saint of the Internet.

He then chose to take on Chasers Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett and Anne ‘The Governess’ Hegerty. With a 25-second head start, Fr George just failed to beat the quiz experts to win his £2,000.

Afterward, Fr George said: “I did not go on expecting to win big money, I just wanted to see how I fared against the Chasers. I left school with poor qualifications in my first year of training for priesthood and religious life in 1998 I was found to be both dyslexic and dyspraxic. However, I was supported in learning how to deal with this by attending the dyslexia centre in Kensington. I ended up enjoying my studies and got a 2:1 from Lampeter via the Beda in Theology.

“Going on the show was about giving witness that priests and religious like quiz shows too and holding my own with the Chasers  – and I felt I did that. The whole production team were very supportive of me being on the show. I felt Bradley Walsh was very good at putting me at ease laughing with me rather than at me.  I am a massive movie buff and was more frustrated with getting the Margot Robbie question wrong than the Isidore of Seville.

“It’s always important for me to present my life as an Augustinian friar and priest as this is me, I am no different from anyone else – the only difference is the life choice. I believe I have been called to it in the same way others are called to marriage, nursing etc. I felt I was allowed to do this on the show and the response has been exceptionally positive. I felt it was a good witness.”

Fr George has previously served within the archdioceses of Birmingham, Edinburgh and St Andrews and Westminster.

Fr G OSA's recently published book

Fr George has also recently published a book called, How in Heaven…? an autobiographical collection of 29 original poems that tells the story of his life thus far.

“Over the years people have been intrigued by story and asked me to get something in print and I found poetry the best medium for me,” he said.

It is available on Amazon Kindle for £4.85 and paperback from Augustinian press by email clarepriory@clarepriory.net paperbacks are £5.

Click here to watch the programme featuring Fr George.

Listen to Fr George talk about his TV quiz show experience on BBC Radio Suffolk here.

Fr G OSA Writes:

Often when visiting my Dad in Birmingham we would watch quiz shows and I would find myself answering the questions, Dad would say why don't you apply. Slowly that seed grew within me and I wanted to appear on a TV quiz show which became a part of my bucket list.

At the beginning of 2019 my mum passed after a long battle with vascular dementia. Come the end of 2019 I hoped 2020 would be more positive so I decided to tick off a couple of things off on the bucket list. Two in particular was to appear on a tv quiz show (tick) and publish a book. I composed an autobiographical book of 29 poems that tell the story of my life so far. For some time people have been asking me to tell my story and I found poetry to be a format in which I could do that. The plan was to have the book published at the same time as appearing on the show (I had been working on it since I turned 50 in 2016) We just managed to do it (so that's another tick.)

Obviously 2020 has turned out to have challenges for us all but I have found the book and the show gave me a purpose and motivation to help with the challenges we are currently facing. I believe in giving witness both as a priest and an Augustinian Friar. That witness involves me saying such things as yes Friars like quiz shows and like to smile. I believe I was encouraged to do this by my brother Augustinians and by the production team on the show. Bradley Walsh was very good at putting me at ease. All in all both experiences have been extremely positive. 

The book is called, "How in heaven...? It is available as a paper back for £5 from Augustinian press, the email is clarepriory@clarepriory.net or can be downloaded for £4.85 from Amazon Kindle.

Religious Life for Women in East and Central Africa: a sustainable future

Sr. Anita Kimbwene, a young Tanzanian sister who took part.

Over the last 3 years a team from the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge and the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham university carried out research into the sustainability of religious life for women in East and Central Africa. The researchers heard from nearly 650 sisters from 80 congregations across 5 countries in the region. Sisters shared with the researchers their great love for the gift of their vocation. Their joy in this vocation to follow Christ is rooted in a vibrant life of prayer and worship.

Sr. Christine Keneema DM, sister from Uganda who worked with us on the project, speaking at symposium in London last October

The theme of community life emerged as the prominent and almost defining expression of the life, followed by their roles as witnesses and evangelistic, evident in the wide range of apostolic activities undertaken. Sisters also shared many concerns and challenges. They know that if their form of religious life is to continue to flourish, sustainability needs to be understood in ways beyond and underpinning financial and ministerial considerations.

The report found sisters conscious of the need to address the spiritual integrity of their congregations and their fidelity to their patrimony and charisms, often brought from Europe and North America, or developed locally at diocesan level by Bishops. They also share their struggles to make and take up their role in the local church and have their presence and contribution recognised and respected.

Religious Life for Women in East and Central Africa: a sustainable future. Report of a research project on sisters’ understandings of the essence of religious life for women in East and Central Africa 2017 – 2020 by Dr. Catherine Sexton and Dr. Maria Calderón Muñoz, February 2020

Full Report

Summary Report

Photo of the sisters - theologians & canon lawyers, who came together as theological commentators on the project.

Mary in May - (by Fr. Gerard O’Shaughnessy sbd and Sr Susan Reichert pbvm)

In the Church of the Visitation, Ein Karem, Jerusalem

Using your rosary beads – in a different way: Take an event in Mary’s life and reflect on it. You might use one event each day and either over 1 decade or 5 decades – say the short refrain on the small beads. Alternatively, you might wish to say the rosary in the usual way but reflect on these events of Mary’s life.

Mary where she was born - St. Anne’s in Jerusalem

Church dedicated to “Mary where she was born”

The New Testament says nothing about the birthplace of Mary.

However, an ancient tradition, recorded in the apocryphal Gospel of James which dates from around AD 150, places the house of her parents, Anne and Joachim, close to the Temple area.

A church built around 450 on the site of St Anne’s was dedicated to “Mary where she was born”.

Read and reflect

The reality of Incarnation is that Jesus was born into a real family; scripture highlights Bethlehem as the city of David, the family associated with Joseph.

St Anne & Mary

As we begin our traditional devotion of the rosary, it is good to look at the maternal side of Jesus’s family.

One of the hardest parts of this pandemic and the necessary physical isolation, is that our elders are seen as especially vulnerable. We cannot connect with our grandparents and those significant older people in our lives. We miss their hugs, their cuddles and their spoiling; they miss us too and often the only contact they have is through a glass window.

Pray for our wonderful elders who have shared their vision, values and faith with us, just like Anna and Joachim did with Mary and their very special grandchild.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, born like us into a family, be with all parents and grandparents.

 - on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father….

Mary is presented in the Temple

Protoevangelium of James

After her birth, Anne and Joachim dedicated Mary to God at the temple of Jerusalem and she spent much of her childhood there. “When the child reached the age of three her parents took her to live in the temple. Joachim gathered the young girls from the neighbourhood to form an escort. Mary joyfully followed not once looking back at her parents and the Lord God sent grace upon her. Mary danced and all the house of Israel loved her. Zacharia, the high priest, welcomed her at the entrance of the sanctuary. She dwelt day and night in the sanctuary until the age of twelve.”

Read and reflect

Tradition has it that Mary’s father, Joachim, worked in the Temple of Jerusalem. As a devout Jewish family, he and his wife would naturally want to give thank you God for the gift of Mary. We join them also, in spirit, for the gift of Mary to our Church. In our own lockdown and isolation what can we offer today? Perhaps we need to appreciate what we are all doing, as a nation: by staying home, we have helped to keep EVERYONE safe. Even at the start of March, nobody could have imagined that the UK would spend six weeks without the Premier League, McDonald’s or nightclubs - let alone losing those joys of our national life at a time when everyone, other than key workers, had to stay at home. Today thank God for all that YOU have presented to the Lord for the greater good-that is real SACRIFICE! Thank you for your service!

            Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we grow more like you each day as we give ourselves to you and others.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Betrothal of Mary and Joseph

Betrothal of Mary and Joseph

In his 1989 Apostolic Exhortation, Redemptoris Custos, Pope John Paul II, describing the marriage ceremony of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph: “According to Jewish custom, marriage took place in two stages: first, the legal, or true marriage was celebrated, and then, only after a certain period of time, the husband brought the wife into his house. Thus, before he lived with Mary, Joseph was already her husband.”

Joseph and Mary fulfilled the Law. At this betrothal ceremony, Mary held out her hand and Joseph would have put a gold ring on her finger, a symbol of union and possession, with the words “Here is the ring that unites you to me in the sight of God according to the Mosaic Rite.”

Read and reflect

Some scholars agree that Joseph, the master carpenter met Mary during the re-construction of the great Jerusalem Temple, where his skills would have been greatly appreciated and needed. Love is so important in our lives-we need it for our own well-being. In these times of severe hardship, we have also seen the power and strength of real love and care: from the amazing Captain Tom and his century walk around his garden to the nurse copying the last message of a dying mum to her children.

Married love is not about one person in the relationship having their desires and demands fulfilled. Married love is about mutual respect and unconditional love, one for the other. I’m thinking of a very special couple whose marriage has had to be postponed because of the regulations we have had to build up around COVID-19. Think of all those whose lives and loves are being hurt by our lockdown. Sadly, we also need to remember those relatively few couples who are experiencing pain, hurt and abuse because of the situation. Like Mary and Joseph, we are called to share mutual respect, seeing the dignity of our partners.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, betrothed to Joseph, help us to be faithful in our commitments.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary receives a message from God

St Anne's Church, Sepphoris

Joseph may have found employment in the new city of Sepphoris close to Nazareth. Tradition has it that Mary’s parents moved here from Jerusalem obviously bringing their daughter north with them. there is Church dedicated to St Anne built on what is thought to be their home. This great city is “perched like a bird” on a 400 foot hill that overlooks the  Bet Netofa Valley and helps to explain its other Hebrew name, Zippori (bird). From this panoramic view of Lower Galilee you can gaze on Nazareth and Cana as Herod Antipas probably did.

Read and reflect

Nazareth

In Nazareth, Mary now betrothed to Joseph, the love of her life is asked by the messenger to do the impossible: to bring God not the world. What an ask! What responsibility! What trust! In these past few weeks, you have been asked to live the impossible: we are sharing, with Mary, confusion and difficulty. Above all, Mary showed her trust and utter faith in a God who chose her. God is with us through this lockdown and the challenge, for us, is to see that care and love perhaps in those little things: making cupcakes together, emailing an elderly friend or your teenage son tidying his room...at last!

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we too say – “behold the servant of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word”.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Ein Karim

Ein Karim, five miles from Jerusalem, has been considered the traditional site of the home of Elizabeth and Zachariah since the sixth century. It is a tranquil place of trees and vineyards. The journey was about 80 to 100 miles and would probably take Mary three to four days. The Visitation Church on the hill is probably the “summer House”. The church down in the valley is where John the Baptist was born.

Read and reflect

Statue of the Visitation in the courtyard of the Franciscan Visitation church in Ein karem, Jerusalem

The wonder of God is that the impossible can, and does, happen. Mary has been given the news of the birth of her child; a child destined to change history. Mary is literally the means through God can enter human history. One would forgive her for feeling father full of herself-she was told by the angel, “rejoice so highly favoured” (Luke 1:28). Mary is not arrogant or selfish so, on hearing that a much older mother to be needs support, she leaves home and goes to help Elizabeth. Not for her and Joseph will be trips to the Nazareth branch of ‘Mothercare’ to pick out a pram for their new arrival! Mary’s instinctive action is one of support and help. Isolation and the need to support each other in these times of crisis is essential. Those little acts of kindness can mean so much and just help people to get through another day in the hope of a return to some sort of normality-new or otherwise.

On her recent fifth birthday, Princess Charlotte was seen delivering food to the elderly; the cynics will cry that this is another photo-op for the Royals. However, it would be much better to think that the young Royal was trying to follow the example of Mary, the help. Anyway, in these challenging days, you do not have to be a royal; as Christians it should be instinctive as, together, we continue to build up the reign of God. Elizabeth can see that “of all women” Mary is the most blessed (Luke 1: 42). As we pray this part of the rosary, it might be best to join with her in a total outpouring of praise to God.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, with you, my soul also sings thanksgiving for all God’s blessings.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary gives birth to Jesus

Bethlehem means - House of Bread

The city of Bethlehem is about six miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is still a very important place because its built on an aquifer. Bethlehem is a “place that guards water”. Bethlehem - beit lechem - means “house of bread," and is also the City of David. Here, the young David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem at the time of the census to register because Joseph was of the house of David. It was St. Helena that put Bethlehem on the pilgrimage map and built the first church over the cave where the manger (trough) was thought to have been where baby Jesus was laid.

Read and reflect

We are all familiar with the Christmas story that brings light and joy to the darkest of winters. Joseph and Mary again journey down from Nazareth to the city of David, Bethlehem as they joined the mass exodus of people to join in the Roman requirement for census. Not for them a Bethlehem lockdown in the local Hilton or even a B&B. The Saviour of the World, the Messiah is born in the simple poverty of the stable. Jesus Christ brings simplicity and invites us to share it more than ever in our 2020 isolation.

So many of those familiar props have been stripped away from our lives; Covid-19 has forced us to live that simple life without air travel, going to the gym, going to the salon, eating out or having a quick pint at the local. As we are forced to live the simple life, perhaps reflect on those child-like qualities we are invited to embrace-we might want to hang on to a lot of them when the new normal returns.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we too, bring Christ to birth in our hearts and our lives.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

The Shepherds help Mary to reflect

Beit Sahor

The name Beit Sahour consists of two Arabic words: beit meaning “house,” and sahour meaning “night watch.”

The name of the area reflects its importance for the shepherds of long ago. The land provided their flocks with good grazing during the day and safety in its numerous caves at night.

Read and reflect

In the Gospel of Luke, it the shepherds who are the first greet the Messiah-we are presented with those simple hardworking shepherds as the initial sharers of the Good News. The angels shared the “Glory of God” (Luke 2: 14) and Mary was able ponder on these amazing turns of events and treasure them in her heart (Luke 2:19)-very often it can be strangers who come into our lives and leave us as friends! They help us to see other ways of doing things and being Church. At this time we are being asked to live a totally new way of being community; it is strange and hard but this post in the parish website certainly made me ponder: “This lockdown is proving to be a blessing in disguise-it’s so eye opening how unifying praying together” is.

At this time, being a shepherd was not the career choice for those aspiring to achieve and earn a strong wage. Yet, time and time again, the adult Jesus presents the shepherd as the symbol of care and trust. Therefore, it so it is fitting that it was the shepherds who come to visit and share with the Christ-child.

I hope that you can stop and reflect on what this period in your life has meant to you; ask forgiveness where necessary, and TREASURE and remember all that is good.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we too ponder, with those God’s sends to us, on the events of our lives.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary takes Jesus to be Presented in the Temple

This feast has other traditional names which include the “Feast for the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary” as well as the “Meeting of the Lord”. At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In her journal, discovered in 1887, she describes the gala procession in honour of his Presentation in the Temple. Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually “unclean” for 40 days after childbirth, when she was to present herself to the priests and offer sacrifice—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who had brushed against mystery—birth or death— excluded a person from Jewish worship.

Read and reflect

As good Jews, Mary and Joseph come to bring their first born and present Jesus to God. In doing so they meet with two wonderful elders and prophets, Simeon and Anna. I hope that these unusual times have forced us to look to the wisdom of our elders and share their life stories, especially with our children.

As parishes, schools and families, we have a wonderful and rich story to tell and now we have no excuse. Children will be amazed to realise that they have to ensure that they not only re-tell their story, but make their own personal contribution to the continuing story.

Simeon is now free as he has “seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see” (Luke 2:31-32). In the midst of the joy of new birth, ever the realist, he warns Mary of the pain that is to come (Luke 2:33- 35). Parents will always want what is best for their children-always! They will do anything to ensure that their loved ones do not suffer and will take the pain onto themselves just like Mary. The pandemic and isolation will make us want the well-being that we are honoured to share this extra time with. Like wonderful Anna, we are called to “praise God” (Luke 2:38) in what we do and say. What we DO and SAY in this time of crisis says a lot about us; pray that it speaks volumes of the great Christian story that we share.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, by our words and actions, may we share the light of Christ with those we meet,

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary, with Joseph, takes the child and flees into Egypt

A short distance south of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is a shrine called the Milk Grotto, on a street of the same name.

According to tradition, while Mary and Joseph were fleeing Herod’s soldiers on their way to Egypt, they stopped in this cave while Mary nursed the baby Jesus. A drop of Mary’s milk fell upon the stone and it turned white.

The grotto has been a site of veneration since the 4th century, the first structure being built over it in around AD 385.Egypt is about 65 kilometres from Bethlehem and they lived for either a few months or up to three years (until after the death of Herod in 4 B.C.)

Read and reflect

Even in the midst of good times, we can see pain and hurt; how many of us celebrated New Year’s Day 2020 with confidence and hope, little thinking that only three months later a global pandemic would force us all into isolation? In the joy of new life and the glory of a special birth, King Herod can see only threat and disaster as he orders his troops in to murder the Holy Innocents. Why do bad things happen to good people? Thus, the Holy Family are forced into a new journey, the journey of the refugee.

Today millions share that same fate, displaced by terrorism, war, religious disputes, sexual difference, racism, economic hardship and, now, COVID-19. It is sad to reflect that the Dheisheh Refugee Camp is located in Bethlehem-the birthplace of Jesus-it is constant reminder to us that refugees are still with us: the United Nations estimate that there are around 0.8 million forcibly displaced people in the world. 70.8 million people who are not at home, often in living conditions that do not allow space for physical distancing. While we might find our own living conditions hard during lockdown, please take time to think of those 70.8 million people who share the fate of the Holy Family. As we move towards a new normal, so we will need to begin a new way of living, a new way to socialise, a new way of working, a new way of going to school and new way of being Church-perhaps even a new way of being family. Jesus and his family have had to enter a new way as they flee to Egypt.

As we continue to pray, remember those who, for whatever reason, are being forced to flee and run away today. They have to run into oblivion without the chance to say “thanks” or “goodbye!” As they flee, they cry out with Joseph and Mary: “why do bad things happen to good people?”

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, be with all those who are having to flee from their homes and families

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary, Joseph and the child return to Nazareth

The return of the family of Jesus to Nazareth,

After the death of Herod, having heard that Archelaus had become the new king of Judea, the family travelled to Nazareth which took them a journey of at least 170 kilometres. Archelaus was such a violent and aggressive king that in the year 6 AD he was deposed  by the Romans, in response to complaints from the population. Galilee was ruled by a much calmer king, Herod Antipas, and there is historical evidence that Galilee had become a refuge for those fleeing the iron rule of Archelaus.

Read and reflect

The Gospel tells us that the Holy Family returned to Galilee and the town of Nazareth once it was safe. Perhaps Joseph was able to return to the security of employment working on the expanding city of Sepphoris. It is also interesting to reflect that Joseph might have had an apprentice as it was common for sons to follow their fathers’ job choice. Jesus returns to normality after an amazing infancy; the school of life taught him some hard lessons that would stay with him throughout his life, preaching and ministry of care, no doubt giving him an empathy for those in need.

Jesus is now able to have a time of contentment and peace. Jesus and his family live the ordinary. In these days of international pandemic, we can look back on the ‘ordinary’ with a sense of nostalgia. We have been forced to change our whole way of doing everything from shopping to cutting hair to exercising to learning to become a teacher. We now long for an ‘ordinary time’ which seems so far away-even as the new normal draws closer. Pray at this stage that we can return to the ORDINARY and share the reality and power of Incarnation.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, be with us in the ordinary, day-to-day, events of our lives.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary finds Jesus the teenager in the Temple

One of the most amazing experiences one can have at the great Western Wall in modern Jerusalem is when a family bring their teenage boy for bar mitzvah, their coming of age. The singing, dancing and sense of celebration is awe inspiring and gives us a picture of the joy of Jesus’s own coming of age-the songs, dances and prayers go right back into Old Testament times.

Read and reflect

Jesus was taken by his family on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. We are well aware of the confusion that ensued when Jesus stayed behind. For anyone who has lost a child, there is a panic and real fear as we frantically search for that loved one, a living part of us.

Mary and Joseph find Jesus with the teachers of the law, based at the Temple; they are AMAZED at his wisdom and the questions that he asks. In education we have to be open to learning at all stages in life; a good teacher is one who learns from their students, just like the Temple teachers.

The exchange between Jesus and his mother can come across as cheeky and failure to show respect Mary says "Your father and I have been searching for you." (Luke 2: 48). Jesus answers, "You should have known I would be at the house of my Father." (Luke 2:49). In other words, Jesus has chosen this crucial stage in his life, on the brink of manhood, to tell his parents in an unforgettable way that he now knows who his real Father is and what it will mean for his mission. The time will come when Jesus will be killed in Jerusalem, and after three days rise from the dead, and that will be a great pain to Mary. And is not this three-day vigil of Mary and Joseph a foreshadowing of that experience? She said, "Your father and I have been seeking you in pain.

As a young man, probably already working with Joseph as his apprentice, he goes home to Nazareth to continue living that ordinary life but with a new sense of vision and purpose. All of us have been asked to live an extraordinary life in these times of lockdown and, I pray, that you can share this vision of Jesus too, especially as you LISTEN and LEARN from your own children.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we too, seek to find God in these strange days, in strange places.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary bringing up Jesus the Teenager

View of Nazareth from the Basilica

The Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent also simply known as the Salesian church and is located next to the school of the Salesians. In Gothic style, it was built between 1906 and 1923 on a hill called "Mount of the Start" which overlooks the city, where, according to tradition, Jesus spent his youth.

Read and reflect

I love to visit the Basilica of Jesus the Adolescent built on a hill overlooking the town of Nazareth, known as the Mount of Start-tradition has it that Jesus played with his friends in these hills. This makes the incarnation even more real for me; Jesus was a real teenager and played real games up here. Next to the simple gothic church is the Salesian School, offering education to local teenagers. It is wonderful to hear, while praying in this basilica, the shouts and cries of the young people playing basketball. I never find it a distraction, rather I see it as a way to connect once again with the beauty of the Fifth Gospel-the experience of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that is alive.

Don Bosco wanted his schools to be places of learning, but also a place where young people can feel at home and feel free to celebrate; in Salesian thought, it must also be a playground of fun and games where the young find unconditional acceptance and a sense of hope. The pilgrim to Nazareth will find all of this when they go to the Basilica. Pray deeply today for all our young people; Don Bosco saw their potential and how we NEED their wisdom in the Church. If you find yourself locked down with young people in these days, see beyond the untidy rooms, the backchat and the rows. Recognise with Pope Francis the gift and blessings of our teenagers to the Church:

“Christ is alive and He wants you to be alive….The Church needs your momentum, your intuitions, your faith…..And when you arrive where we have not yet reached, have the patience to wait for us.” (Christus Vivit 1 & 299)

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we recognise the gift of the young and give them the keys to open the doors.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee

This village in about 3 miles from Nazareth. Excavations recovered beneath the present church in the early 1900s confirm the presence of a Jewish- Christian synagogue and the remains of living structures from the 1st century, a basilica and a small stone cistern. Here, at Mary’s request, Jesus performs the first of His signs. Each of the six stone water jars held approx. 23 gallons of water.

Read and reflect

I love the fact that John’s Gospel; generally seen as the deepest of all the gospels, begins the public ministry of Jesus at Cana with a miracle of pure fun! John sets the scene with an experience that most of us can identify with: being a guest at a wedding. We want to make sure that we get the best outfit and ensure that the best present is bought. We do not know who the mystery couple are, but we do know that Jesus, his mother and the disciples are guests (John 2: 1-2). Typical of Mary is that she sees the potential for disaster and family embarrassment; she knows that Jesus will come to the rescue as she tells the servers, “do whatever HE tells you!” (John 2:5). This is Mary’s intuitive gift and simple prayer for the whole Church: if we DO WHATEVER HE TELLS us, then how much better the Church will be. This is our simple calling to DO Eucharistic as we continue to DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

This is where the fun comes in; John does not choose a miracle of healing a leper or a calming of a storm or a rising from the dead. Jesus offers gallons of wine of the finest vintage that everyone can enjoy. This miracle stands in the tradition of all gospel multiplications: God will provide more than enough; we will always enjoy plenty if we trust in God.

As we continue our prayer, name the married couples you know and pray for them, especially in this time of crisis when tensions can surface if we are not careful. Jesus and Mary witnessed the vows taken at Cana; as wedding guests you too have heard those vows: to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part. This is an exchange between TWO equals; in these days of isolation, please listen to the wisdom of Mary, DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, may we heed your words – “Do whatever he tells you.”

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary, the model of discipleship

In Matthew’s gospel, we read that While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him… pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."…

Read and reflect

Our scripture for this part of our Rosary centres on that rare occasion when we meet Mary in the public ministry of Jesus. For some this might appear as a snub towards his family by Jesus. However, what we see is Jesus showing that his ministry is INCLUSIVE; the outreaching and unconditional love of God is for all. Discipleship must mirror that; as the ultimate disciple, Mary shows us the way. From following God’s will with trust to bringing God into the world; from helping a newly married couple to offering practical and spiritual support to grieving friends. Mary listened to her son, who, in turn, listened to her; their relationship is the example we can follow. Mary shows that trust that we are called to share especially in this time of uncertainty. For that pre-Pentecost Church of lockdown, Mary is the focus of unity, a gentle presence who is always available. Our Church of lockdown in 2020 needs that focus of unity too: Mary can be the model of patience and trust that all of us need as we cope as best we can. In the home of the Eucharist, Mary invites us all to “do this in memory of me!”

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, mother of Jesus, you walk with us on the road of discipleship.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary at the foot of the Cross

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem covers what we believe is the site of the most important event in human history: The place where Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

On entering the church, one turns hard right and ascends asteep and curving flight of stairs – you are ascending the “hill” of Calvary (from the Latin) or Golgotha (from the Aramaic), both words meaning “place of the skull”. The stairs open on to a floor that is level with the top of the rocky outcrop on which Christ was crucified. It is about 4.5 metres above the ground floor. On the floor of Calvary are two chapels side by side, Greek Orthodox on the left, Catholic on the right. Mary sees Jesus being nailed to the cross and is with him when he dies.

Read and reflect

Mary finds herself in the most difficult and hurtful situations as she finds herself at the place of Roman execution with her son as the branded criminal-branded because of lies and failure. She has been asked to make the ultimate sacrifice of any parent: to watch your child die. She has seen the horror and hatred of the Via Delarosa; people screaming and spitting their venom; her only hope is with Simon of Cyrene, Veronica and the Women of Jerusalem. As you pray, it is good to reflect on what side of the divide you find yourself as you try to follow Mary’s prayer for you: “do whatever he tells you!” We might like to think we are a Veronica, bringing comfort in this crisis; or are we fermenting discord and the very hatred that led to the Cross? It is a hard question to ask of ourselves but, in this time of international crisis and we are probably at our lowest, it has to be asked as we stand with Mary at the foot of the cross. Like her we have witnessed death and pain over these past few weeks; we have lost loved ones, neighbours and fellow parishioners.Mary stands with us in our sorrow; she understands our confusion, anger and pain. Like her we cry out for an end to this pain; we cry out for justice and a sense of real community in the new normal. As we move closer to a closure, may Mary’s thoughtfulness, empathy and gentle presence be with us as a guiding light.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, be with us, as you were with Jesus, as we “watch” those who suffer and die.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary receives the body of her son into her arms

The Greek mosaic on the wall above the “anointing slab” in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, depicts Christ being taken down from the cross, put in his mother’s arms and then his body being prepared for burial and taken to the tomb.

Read and reflect

We are invited to join with a sorrowful mother. Years earlier in a Bethlehem crib, a child was laid into the arms of Mary; now we reflect on that same child and mother in death. The dead body of Jesus is placed into the arms of a mother who hugged and cradled him-a mother who was there for him in life and death. Only this morning grandparents on Radio 5 Live were telling us how they missed their grandchildren: while social media keeps us all in touch, it lacks that personal, human contact that so many crave. The real-life stories behind the statistics tell of victims of COVID-19 dying without family support; we thank God for our nurses and carers who have sat with them in their hour of death. In the global pieta, Mary holds us all in her care and love. Let us pray with those in pain as they mourn the deaths of those they love.

As Mary holds her loving son in her arms, a victim of the hatred of others, how does she feel, what are her emotions, can she forgive? Throughout the life, work and teaching of Jesus, we see him bringing peace and forgiveness, expressed so beautifully in the prayer he gave to his disciples: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12). This is a challenge to our Easter faith and perhaps we have had time, during this time of enforced isolation, to reflect on those we feel we cannot forgive. Why is this so? Is there any chance you could reach out and give that Easter gift of peace? Jesus reaches out to the LOST and hurt: in the parables of the lost in Luke’s Gospel, the lost coin, sheep and Son show us how important it is to reach out and accept forgiveness in our lives. These parables also give us an opportunity to meditate on ‘what counts’ in our lives. (Luke 15: 4-32). If we don’t then we are consigned to a life of pain and hurt; we might think that we can get by but we are not living up to that injunction of Jesus to set people FREE and become prisoners to our own hatred. Bitterness and wanting revenge can become a cancer that eats away at us and harm our own wellbeing. Today we have no excuse, in this time of lockdown we need to be bearers of the PEACE of the Risen Lord. There are enough situations of hurt and bitterness in society without any of us adding to that pain. Reach out today and bring your peace to those who genuinely need it in their lives today.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, with you, may we reach out and bring peace to those who are in need.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary is visited by the Risen Christ

In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the Chapel of the Apparition - which commemorates the tradition that the risen Christ first appeared to his Mother.

Could Mary’s absence from the group of women  who went to the tomb at dawn (cf. Mk 16:1; Mt 28:1) indicate that she had already met Jesus?

Read and reflect

As we pause again on journey of prayer, we reflect on something that we have NO biblical evidence for-just as we have no biblical reference for the strong Christian tradition of Veronica helping Jesus. As Jesus showed his love for his Mother in life, so we have seen the depth of that love in death. The Gospels refer to Jesus going back to Galilee, his home.

What could be more natural and right than mother and son meeting up and sharing their love. In lockdown perhaps you can take time to reflect with those you love on what these past few weeks has taught you: are you going to change? Is the new normal going to mean change in your home? How will the Church adapt to the challenge of change that has to come?

As Pope Francis reflected to his own civil service: “Here on earth to live is to change, and to change often is to become more perfect. Newman is not speaking about seeking change for change’s sake, or to follow the fashion, but rather to have the conviction that development and growth are the characteristic of earthly and human life, while, in the perspective of the believer, at the centre there is the stability of God” (Pope Francis at Vatican 21st December 2020)

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, rejoice, the Son who you bore has risen as he said he would. Alleluia.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary with his friends awaiting the Spirit

The Upper Room, also known as the Cenacle, is located in the southern part of the Old City of Jerusalem on Mount Zion, the traditional site of the Last Supper since the fourth century AD. The current structure of the room dates approximately from the fourteenth century, which accounts for the existing Gothic-era columns. This is also the place where the Apostles with Mary, the mother of Jesus waits, in prayer, for the promised Spirit.

Read and reflect

Mary with the disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit in the home of Eucharist.

Even after the glory of Resurrection, the disciples are seen in the Acts of the Apostles as gathered “in continuous prayer”, together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1: 11). This picture of the early Jerusalem community shows a Church in lockdown. As we see at the end of the gospels, the apostles are presented as frightened and scared. They are in need of support and help-Mary fits the bill perfectly. The founder of the Salesian family, Don Bosco saw the need for his educators to be involved in their lives of their students through a kindly presence; this is exactly what Mary was to the disciples in their grief and loss. She, who has lost her beloved son, is the one who offers that unconditional presence and cares for them. In this room of Eucharist, she lives that life for them as she invites them to REMEMBER.

In our strange lockdown, hopefully we have been able to let go of our attachments, the root of which means distraction and hurt. Worry and anxiety require us to buy into, to choose to believe, at least two lies:

•  I can control the outcome of things

•  I can keep bad things from happening if I worry hard and long enough.

The Gospel invites us to let go of the need to control either by our thoughts or actions and to try trusting God instead. The promise, from Isaiah 40, is that, in waiting, we will renew our strength. But it's the grasping and clutching hand that drains our reserves and saps our energy.

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, in our joys and sorrows, be with us and help us to remember….

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary falls asleep

The New Testament says nothing about the death and burial of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, but a strong Christian tradition places her tomb in a dimly-lit church at the foot of the Mount of Olives. The large crypt containing the empty tomb in the Church of the Assumption is all that remains of an early 5th-century church, making it possibly the oldest near-complete religious building in Jerusalem.

The location of the Tomb of Mary is across the Kidron Valley from St Stephen’s Gate in the Old City walls of Jerusalem, just before Gethsemane. (This is the Orthodox Church of the Dormition)

The hill of Mount Zion, the highest point in ancient Jerusalem, is dominated by the Catholic Church of the Dormition. The location is identified in Christian tradition as the place where the Virgin Mary died — or “fell asleep”, as the name suggests.

Read and reflect

I think it is entirely fitting that the ancient Church speak of the DORMITION of Mary, of her ‘going to sleep.’ It is still the case in the Eastern Church, while we, in the West, have tended to sanitise death. Death, for Mary, is seen as simply falling asleep in the arms of the Lord. Pilgrims to Jerusalem will be aware that the Abbey of the Dormition is literally around the corner from the Upper Room. All of us have been touched by the death of loved ones; each of us will react in a way that helps us; grief is personal and there is no right or wrong way. Our reaction to COVID-19 is rightly one of fear due to the deathly danger it poses. While we naturally want the isolation to end and pray for the new normal when we can move forward. In the meantime, let us pause and remember our loved ones who have fallen asleep into the arms of the Risen Lord. The global pandemic has caused painful deaths and loneliness, let us ask Mary to be us all “now and at the hour of our death.” Pope Francis prayed for the feast: “Mary accompanies us, struggles with us, and sustains Christians in their fight against the forces of evil. The stupendous reality of Mary’s Assumption manifests and confirms the unity of the human person, and it reminds us that we are called to serve and glorify God with all our being, soul and body. To serve God only with the body would be an action of slaves; to serve God only with the soul would be against our human nature.” (Pope Francis 15th August 2019)

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, pray for us now and at the time of death, amen.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Mary, Queen of heaven and earth

“From the earliest ages of the catholic church a Christian people, whether in time of triumph or more especially in time of crisis, has addressed prayers of petition and hymns of praise and veneration to the Queen of Heaven. And never has that hope wavered which they placed in the Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ; nor has that faith ever failed by which we are taught that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, reigns with a mother's solicitude over the entire world, just as she is crowned in heavenly blessedness with the glory of a Queen.” Pope Pius Xll (1954)

Read and reflect

In Britain we are familiar with royalty and, in this time of crisis, we look to them for a sense of leadership. Queen Elizabeth II spoke to a nation in lockdown in stirring terms:

“The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit; and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children. Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort. And though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and of none, are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause and reflect, in prayer or meditation.” (Address to the nation, Palm Sunday 2020).

Queen Elizabeth has been able to capture the symbol of service that true leadership should show; as Jesus said at the Last Supper, “if I, your Master and Lord have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet” (John 13: 14). She encourages us to reflect or meditate on these challenging days that we are better than the pain that drags us down. Even our action of self-isolating or shielding can actually help and stand brightly as a guide to others-we are ALL trying to do our bit, no matter how small. Another inspirational national leader, President Michael D Higgins expressed the feelings of the nation when faced with death and pain; death diminishes each of us:

“The pain of losing a loved one to this cruel disease has been compounded for so many by the inability of friends and family to offer consolation and support in the way we usually would. The shake of a hand, a sympathetic touch, a comforting embrace, even our physical presence for those few days following a sudden loss, are not available to us for the very good reason that we are all involved in slowing and overcoming the virus. To those of you, too, who have loved ones in intensive care or who are waiting for results of a test, we offer our solidarity.” (President Higgins Radio Address 2nd April 2020).

Say a Hail Mary on the large bead and then – on each small bead say

Mary, Queen of heaven, rejoice. Alleluia. Pray to God for us, Alleluia.

- on the next large bead – say: Glory be to the Father

Read and reflect

The leadership of Mary is exemplified in service; as both the President and the Queen have shown us, we are called to be there for each other. In looking at the life of Mary in scripture, we see one who listens to God’s word with total faith; she is there to bring concrete expressions of support and help. Mary is the one who is there for each one of us. As we strive to make the reign of God real in the world, Mary is our friend and Queen. Let us pray during these difficult days with our Pope, who gives us all a living example of servant-leadership:

We pray -

O Mary,

you always shine on our path

as a sign of salvation and of hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,

who at the cross took part in Jesus' pain, keeping your faith firm.

You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need,

and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee,

we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform to the will of the Father and to do as we are told by Jesus,

who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows

to lead us, through the cross,

to the joy of the resurrection.

Amen.

Letter to Religious from Bishop John Arnold

Bishop John Arnold

DIOCESE OF SALFORD

Wardley Hall, Wardley Hall Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 2ND

May 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I write to you in this Easter season, when we celebrate our hope in the Risen Lord, in my capacity as spokesperson for the Environment for the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. I am conscious of how much we rely on your lives of prayer.

Pope Francis has been very direct in speaking of a change of epoch. The health crisis of Covid-19 is just one aspect of our present dilemma but the one which is most visibly affecting us all. The Holy Father emphasises how everything is inter-connected (L.S.138).

“… doomsday predictions can no longer be met with irony or disdain...our contemporary lifestyle, unsustainable as it is, can only precipitate catastrophes...The effects of the present imbalance can only be reduced by our decisive action, here and now.’(L.S. 161)

A planetary health check (2019) published by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) concluded that human society is at risk because of the decline of earth’s natural life-support systems. Recently, leading scientists made direct links between the Covid-19 pandemic and environmental destruction with the warning that further pandemics will be triggered unless contemporary lifestyles change.

The pandemic of Covid-19 could be a turning point in human history. In this crisis, we can heed the Holy Father’s call to ‘decisive action, here and now’. We can learn to live the ‘Integral Ecology’ to which Pope Francis calls us. We can respond to the Global Health Challenge by safeguarding our own health and caring for the health of our families, communities, and our common home by repairing the damage of climate change and environmental destruction. Of course, we cannot promote and sustain this decisive action without the underpinning of prayer.

Pope Francis has called us to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Encyclical Laudato Si with Laudato Si Week (16th May-24th May) and the Global Day of Prayer (24th May). The theme of the Week is ‘Everything is Connected’. In these days, I ask that you concentrate your prayer so that we may all practically respond, learning of the damage done to our common home, the harm inflicted on our brothers and sisters and how we may help to heal our world through an “ecological conversion”. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, many of the events will now take place online. We can also look forward to the Season of Creation (September 1- October 4) which Pope Francis has asked us to celebrate annually. This year's theme is 'The Web of Life' (http://seasonofcreation.org/)

I thank you for your prayer, which is so essential to the life of the Church, and for all that you do as “missionary disciples” and “ambassadors for Christ”.

+John Arnold

Tel 0161 794 2825 Fax 0161 727 8592

bishop@dioceseof salford.org.uk (bishop) marie.sartini@dioceseofsalford.org.uk (secretary)

Salford Roman Catholic Diocesan Trustees Registered Charity

Webinar on Managing Charity Property in Uncertain Times 7th May

A Webinar aimed at religious orders will be given by Gerald Eve, Buzzacotts and Stone King on Thursday 7 May – 10am

For more information and to register, please follow the link:

https://www.stoneking.co.uk/event/stone-king-buzzacott-geraldeve-webinar-managing-charity-property-uncertain-times-07052020

CoR Seeks New Safeguarding Adviser

We are currently seeking a Safeguarding Adviser to work with the General Secretary, the Executive and Religious Congregations who are part of the CoR membership as well as other church organisations on the development and implementation of safeguarding strategy.

Details for this exciting new role are to be found in the Safeguarding section in the Members tab.