News

Archbishop Patrick Kelly presided at two major celebrations in the Archdiocese for Palm Sunday.

The first was Solemn Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at which the Youth Pilgrimage Cross was blessed and given to the care of Animate Youth Ministries.  It will now be taken to each area of the Archdiocese and to Lourdes during the annual pilgrimage in July.  More information can be found at www.animateyouth.org

The second celebration for World Youth Day was the monthly Youth Alive Mass celebrated at 6 pm in the Church of St Anthony of Padua, Mossley Hill.
 

Introduction to Mass and homilies preached by the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool, at Solemn Mass on Palm Sunday. 11.00 am on 28 March 2010 in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool.


Introduction to Mass:

‘The fullness of charity, gift, salvation’: those words of Pope Benedict’s letter for Lent this year will guide us here at the Cathedral of Christ the King this Holy Week: the fullness of charity, gift, salvation: Lent has helped us to realise: I need the charity, the sheer merciful love of God: I need a gift beyond all my deserving: I need salvation, healing, wholeness of body, mind, spirit. Today we acclaim him who alone brings all this in fullness.

Homily after the Blessing of the Palms:

We have just echoed the song of the angels of Christmas Night: peace: glory. That night we sang because: Today a Saviour has been born for us: he is Christ the Lord: gift for he is born for us: salvation, for he is Saviour: charity for it is because God so loved the world. And now the story of that night comes to fullness. With angels, saints, children, we rejoice and declare as our Cathedral crown does, for all to see: Christ, yes, even him crucified, is our King.

Homily:

The fullness of charity, gift, salvation: Of charity: love for the loveless to the fullness: so he declares: I have longed for this Passover feast: and from now on I will not eat or drink until the freedom from slavery promised in the old Passover is fulfilled in freedom from slavery to sin by my body given, my blood poured out for you. I will drink the cup owed to you even if it causes me to sweat blood in the wrestling to be merciful to the merciless, to forgive hammering executioners. Fullness of gift: ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’: I give my all. Fullness of salvation: today you will be with me in Paradise.

 

The final evening of the Faith on Draught series for Lent was held last night at the Swan with Two Necks in Chorley. Leading the session this week was Anthony Finnerty who spoke on 'Finding God in the Movies'.

Anthony encouraged us to see God in films in different depictions. He then looked at how God has been shown on film and questioned how film can contain the majesty of God.

A record number of people came to the talk this week - about 55 people and after the talk stayed to have a chat with friends made over the last few weeks.

It was generally agreed that meeting in such an unusual environment helped create such an informal atmosphere which allowed discussion to flourish.

More sessions of Faith on Draught are planned for later in the year. For more information contact faithondraught@googlemail.com or follow us on twitter (Faith on Draught) or the Facebook group 'Faith on Draught'.

On Wednesday 10th March the Lent series of Faith on Draught began at the Swan with Two Necks Pub in Chorley. The speaker for the first week was Simon Stewart of Blackpool Catholic College.

Simon offered a challenging talk on how we can find true happiness in life. He compared the young people at his School admiring celebrities such as Katie Price/Jordan and the fulfilment that can be found in placing one's life within a wider context, of which he hoped God would play a significant role.

This led into an interesting discussion about our own core values and how we can live out our Christian life in the world. Is it enough to merely profess a faith with our lips? Simon used examples such as clothing and material goods to demonstrate how Christians should be aware of the world and consider ethical purchasing rather than simply looking for the cheapest deal.

After speaking for about half an hour Simon led a discussion. As many examples from real life had been used throughout the talk it was easy for the group to see how this topic was relevant for their life and so the discussion was quite lively with numerous opinions being shared across the pub. The evening came to an informal end at 8:30 but many people decided to stay and continue talking about the issues raised, or simply catching up with old friends over a pint!

The next talk will be on Wednesday 17th (St Patrick's Day) at the same venue starting about 7:30 with food available from 7pm. The speaker will be Sr Mary Feane, Chaplain at Wymott Prison. She will be talking about 'Where God is when it all goes wrong'. It will be from a personal perspective based on her current work and also other experiences such as when she was Chaplain at St George's School, North London when Philip Lawrence was stabbed.

For more details contact Fr Simon Gore (01942 244864) or via email at faithondraught@googlemail.com or the facebook group 'faith on draught'.

'The Mikado' is coming to St Austin's RC Primary School in Thatto Heath, St Helens, where Year 6 pupils have been working with the local Catholic Amateur Gilbert and Sullivan Society to bring a touch of ancient Japan to the local area.

The town's Theatre Royal was the setting last week for the annual production performed by the grown ups and the children decided to get in on the act by designing and making a display for the theatre foyer.

The display showing scenes from the show and from Japanese life more generally drew appreciative comments from audiences throughout the week.

Having seen and thoroughly enjoyed the show the children are now planning to put on their own production of the show which its is hoped will take place in school at the end of the summer term.

The development of Hope Academy in Newton-le-Willows took a giant step closer last week as three wind turbines were inaugurated on site – watched by future pupils and special guests including The Bishop of Liverpool and Father Michael O’Dowd, Episcopal Vicar for Schools and Colleges in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

The £35 million Academy, currently in the early stages of construction, represents a joint Catholic and Church of England initiative, with sponsorship also from Liverpool Hope University, and once completed will replace both Newton Community High School and St Aelred’s Catholic Technology College.

Last week saw the Academy’s three wind turbines initiated on site, which will provide power to the Contractor Willmott Dixon’s site offices, and then provide off-peak power supply for the Academy once it is opened in 2011.

Such is the extent of the school’s sustainable design that the wind turbines will eventually be joined by a 1 mw biomass boiler and a 4 kw photo-voltaic array, which will provide the Academy with 100% of its off-peak electrical load and 100% of its heating and hot water requirements.  This follows the challenge set by the sponsors and St.Helens Council to make Hope Academy the most sustainable school in Britain.  With one national Award – the Building Schools for the Future ‘Innovation in Sustainability Award’ – already to its name, and with the Academy well on course to achieve a BREEAM 'Outstanding' rating, believed to be the first in the country, that challenge looks set to be realised.  Speaking at the event, The Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, said; 'Hope Academy will be a very special development, providing a unique and inspirational learning environment for its future pupils.  The turbines mark the first step on its journey to becoming, we hope, the most sustainable school in Britain, which will be a truly remarkable achievement for all involved.  Sustainability is the specialism which is an expression of its Christian ethos.'

Echoing those sentiments, Father Michael O’Dowd said; 'Hope Academy represents the vision and hard work of a lot of people, all with one aim; to create a highly sustainable learning environment where children can prosper both spiritually and academically.  Now we have the wind turbines on site, that vision is one step closer to becoming a reality.'

Dr Elizabeth Gayton, representing Hope Academy’s third Sponsor Liverpool Hope University, said; 'the inauguration of the three wind turbines was a significant event for all those involved in the planning and development of the new academy.  In particular it was gratifying to see future Hope Academy pupils, children from both predecessor schools, marking this exciting milestone.'

Councillor Shirley Evans, Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services from St.Helens Council, said; 'The Council is committed to providing the very best facilities for our young people, and Hope Academy will provide an exceptional, sustainable learning space for years to come.'
 

Over 500 people attended this year's Celebration of the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion in Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.  This annual celebration on the First Sunday in Lent is an important marker on the journey to Easter for those preparing for Baptism, and those who will be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church this year.  The 35 candidates for baptism and the 86 candidates for Confirmation and Full Communion were well supported by parish teams and family and friends.  The service is both a celebration of welcome and a call to the final, more intense spiritual preparation to which all Christians are called during Lent.

Archbishop Patrick Kelly who presided over the celebration spoke about the unity of the Church.  Using his pallium case as a visual aid the archbishop told the gathering that it is styled as a miniature of a 'paupers grave' at the time of St Peter.  In a simiar way St Peter was probably buried in a simple trench with a slanted slate roof.  The archbishop continued by pointing out that St Peter's life may have ended in a pauper's grave but on this stands the great St Peter's Basilica - a constant reminder that it is not our achievements that matter but what the Lord can achieve in us and more importantly because of what the Father has already done in Christ.  So our journey like St Peter's might not appear to be much in the world but if we are open to the promtings of the Spirit God can achieve great things.

One parish group represented at the celebration said:  'Congratulations on Sunday's Rite. It was reflective, meaningful and enjoyable for us.'

If you would like to know more about the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) which is the normal way for people to become a Roman Catholic and/or would like to introduce RCIA in your parish then please contact the Pastoral Formation Department (0151 522 1040)

Father Daniel Cahill Cadogan who was Parish Priest of St Mary’s, Euxton for twenty years died at Ince Blundell Hall on Thursday 11 February at the age of 87. He was born on 10 July 1922 in Cork City, the son of Daniel and Catherine of Cape Clear Island, Co Cork. His early education was at St Colman’s College, Fermoy, County Cork, and he studied for the priesthood at St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. He was ordained in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on 9 June 1946.

In September 1946 he accepted a temporary appointment to the Clifton diocese where he served in the parishes of Sacred Heart, Tisbury and Holy Rood, Swindon. He returned to Liverpool in 1950 when he was appointed as Assistant Priest at St Sylvester, Liverpool. In 1954 he moved to St Thomas of Canterbury, St Helens where he remained until 1959 when he was appointed to St Francis de Sales, Liverpool. In 1966 he moved to St Joseph’s, Wigan and in 1969 was appointed Priest in Charge at St Aidan, Winstanley. From there he moved to St Stephen, Orford in 1972 as Parish Priest. Five years on, in 1977, he accepted an appointment as Parish Priest of St Mary, Euxton, where he remained until his retirement from active parish life in 1997. He moved to St Joseph’s, Upholland, and then became Chaplain to Ince Blundell Hall remaining in active Priesthood throughout his ‘retirement’. It was at Ince Blundell that he died on the afternoon of Thursday 11 February 2010. May he rest in peace.

A fluent Gaelic speaker, Father Dan celebrated his Diamond Jubilee of Ordination with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Mary’s, Euxton in June 2006. The Cadogan family is of a seafaring background and has a long historic connection with Cape Clear Island. History records that, following the destruction of the Timoleague Friary in 1642, the sole surviving escaping Friar was rescued from the high seas by Cape Clear fishermen and nursed back to health in the Cadogan household. The Friar had with him a box which he entrusted to the Cadogan family, to keep unopened, until his return. The box, its contents unknown, was kept safe in an alcove above the fireplace in the Cadogan household for over 200 years until it was opened in 1851 by the then Parish Priest revealing vestments (which crumbled) and the Timoleague Chalice which was in perfect condition. Accordingly, the Chalice was returned to Timoleague parish where it has remained, excluding very rare occasions, such as Father Dan’s Golden Jubilee, when he was granted permission to take it back to Cape Clear Island to celebrate an open-air Mass.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kelly at Holy Family, Ince Blundell prior to burial at the Franciscan Friary, Pantasaph, Holywell, Flintshire.

Work for the good of all

The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has encouraged politicians to work for the good of all. The Archbishop was speaking at the Annual Civic Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool on his first official visit to the City following his appointment as Archbishop of Westminster last year.

He was welcomed to a full Cathedral by the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, who said: ‘Both in your years as a priest in this diocese and more and more over the years we know your concern that the light which comes from him who is the light of the world, shall inspire, challenge, and encourage all those who generously serve in public office. You can clearly see how strongly that service to the common good is represented here today.’  The congregation then applauded Archbishop Nichols as the Mass began.

In his homily to a congregation including many local politicians and civic dignitaries Archbishop Nichols began by commenting on the quality of public debate today and of the differences which exist in society. He went on to speak about political life and about current disillusionment with the political process, going on to say ‘Yet it is precisely this experience of helplessness that is addressed by our faith’.

He later spoke of the political vocation saying: ‘This is the true dignity of the political vocation: that by working for the good of all, the genuine common good of our society, politicians and people in public life attempt to create sign-posts of that greater hope, the hope of the fulfilment of all our potential, which will indeed be granted to us finally through the victory of Christ himself.’

He concluded by speaking of hope and the values of truth and love.

The Archbishop greeted the congregation after the Mass and will celebrate a Service of Evening Prayer in celebration of marriage and family life in the Cathedral this afternoon.

‘The stability of our society depends directly on the stability of family life.’

In a service of Evening Prayer to celebrate marriage and family life the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has given a strong affirmation of the Sacrament of Marriage and encouraged people to promote it. The annual celebration at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King heard the Archbishop say: ‘it is important that we promote marriage, offering real encouragement to young people and young couples to make the journey into marriage’.

He also drew a direct connection between marriage, family life and the stability of society saying: ‘The stability of our society depends directly on the stability of family life. This is why marriage, as the strongest foundation for stable family life and the best environment for the growth of children, is to be supported in our country today if we are really to pursue, both politically and socially, the genuine common good of all’.

He also affirmed the importance of the presence of God in marriage: ‘a marriage without God is no more than a matter of personal choice and personal satisfaction. In those circumstances, there is far less reason to work hard at a marriage when that initial satisfaction has gone and the personal choice seems to have been a mistake. So today, in this wonderful celebration, we again affirm that only the presence of God makes clear the true nature of marriage. Only God’s grace can complete and renew such a relationship. Only then does a relationship become a sacrament which can speak eloquently to our world of the full vocation of married life.’

During the celebration Bibles which were presented to families at last year’s service were handed on to others for use during the coming year. Children attending the service presented members of the congregation with gifts of roses as a sign that children are themselves a gift to our community. Among those remembered in prayer were the newly married, those celebrating an anniversary, those experiencing difficulties in their relationships, the widowed, the divorced, the separated and the bereaved and those who struggle with the issues of our time such as unemployment, money worries and time pressures. There were also prayers for an increased awareness of marriage and family spirituality.

A congregation of over 500 welcomed Archbishop Nichols back to Liverpool and were able to greet him personally after the service.

Annual Civic Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 11.00 am

The annual Civic Mass will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, Liverpool, this Sunday, 14 February 2010. The Mass will begin at 11.00 am in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool. The Crosby born Archbishop, who will preach the sermon, is visiting Liverpool at the invitation of Archbishop Patrick Kelly who will concelebrate the Mass.

His Honour Judge Henry Globe QC, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, will read the first lesson from the prophet Jeremiah (17:5-8).

The Service will be attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Hazel Williams, who will read the second lesson from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (15:12, 16-20).

The Gospel reading will be taken from St Luke (6:17, 20-26).

At the offertory of the Mass, John Nichols, the Archbishop’s brother will take forward a picture of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King representing all the different diocesan ministries that make the Cathedral a living and magnificent place of worship in the heart of the Archdiocese. Joseph Thompson will then bring forward a plaque of the Coat of Arms of Liverpool which symbolises the place of the Roman Catholic community in the life of the City. The gifts of bread and wine will be carried to the sanctuary by Sixth Form Students from St John Rigby Sixth Form College, Orrell where Archbishop Nichols was chaplain in 1973.

The Choir and Organist of the Metropolitan Cathedral will be taking part in the music of the Mass under the Director of Music Mr Timothy Noon. Hymns include ‘All people that on earth do dwell’ and ‘The King of love my Shepherd is’. The Gloria and Agnus Dei will be taken from the ‘Missa Laudis’ by Flor Peeters. The Offertory Motet is ‘Blessed city, heavenly Salem’ with music by Edward Bairstow and the Communion Antiphon ‘Maducaverunt et saturati’ will be sung to Gregorian Chant.

In addition there will be representatives from local Catholic High schools and representatives from local Catholic Societies working in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Celebration of Marriage and Family Life in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King at 3.00 pm

During his visit to Liverpool this Sunday, 14 February, The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster will lead the annual service to celebrate marriage and family life which takes place in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and will preach the homily. He will be assisted by the Archbishop of Liverpool, The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly.

The celebration which begins at 3.00 pm is an annual event organised by the Pastoral Formation Department. From 1980 to 1984 Archbishop Nichols was himself responsible for pastoral and religious education courses in the Archdiocese. The celebration will take the form of Evening Prayer with the Cathedral Choir leading the music.

During the celebration Bibles which were presented to families at last year’s service will be passed on to others for use during the coming year. Children attending the service will present members of the congregation with gifts of roses as a sign that children are themselves a gift to our community. Those remembered in prayer will be the newly married, those celebrating an anniversary, those experiencing difficulties in their relationships, the widowed, the divorced, the separated and the bereaved and those who struggle with the issues of out time such as unemployment, money worries and time pressures. There will also be prayers for an increased awareness of marriage and family spirituality.

The service of Choral Evening Prayer begins in the Metropolitan Cathedral at 3.00 pm on Sunday, 14 February, and is open to all.

'We can make a difference!' is the name given to an ambitious twinning programme between St Agnes Parish, Huyton and a parish in Suriname and a party of twelve parishioners from St. Agnes, together with their Parish Priest Fr. Anton Fernandopulle recently flew out to Suriname (formerly Dutch Guyana), the smallest country in South America.

About eighteen months ago, discussions took place at a pastoral meeting in the Parish, with regard to helping a Third world Project.  As a student in the Caribbean and later as a Parish Priest in Jamaica, Fr. Anton had become acquainted with Fr. Dorus Weewee OMI and his work with the people of Suriname. It was decided at the pastoral meeting that St. Agnes Parish should be ‘twinned’ with that of Fr. Dorus, which consists of a group of eight small village communities.

For many months now, St. Agnes parishioners have worked together with enthusiasm to raise funds for this project. Events such as raffles, sponsored walks, hot-pot suppers and an ‘Irish’ night have been entered into by all age groups, making it a real Parish effort.  The money raised by each of these events has been very kindly matched by Barclays Bank, making a considerable difference to the overall amount – a gesture much appreciated by the 'We can make a difference' campaigners.

On 4th January, the party from St. Agnes Parish set out on their journey to Brownsweg, a two hour drive from Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, where they saw the re-building of the Church with materials they had helped to supply.  There are also plans to complete a new community centre.

In response to an appeal, several used lap-top computers had been generously donated, by local people, for the community centre in Suriname, and a second appeal was also launched in St. Agnes Parish before their departure for wind-up / solar powered lights / lanterns, radios etc., as the villagers have limited access to electricity. The response to this appeal was fantastic.

Each of the thirteen travellers (who have all funded their own expenses for the trip) experienced life in a very different culture, sharing the richness of each others traditions in working and worshipping together.

Fr. Anton is pleased that responsibility for the organising of the “We can make a difference” project has been embraced by Mrs. Honor Ambrose. “Priests come and go, so it is important that the laity have the confidence to ‘own’ such projects and ensure that they continue to flourish in the future.”

It is hoped that a group from the Parish will visit Brownsweg in the future, to continue to help the communities that are being served by Fr. Dorus.

The Most Reverend Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool, will today, Monday 8 February, celebrate Mass on the anniversary of the death of his predecessor, Archbishop Derek Worlock.

The Mass will be at 5.15 pm in the Blessed sacrament Chapel of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and will take place fourteen years after the death of Archbishop Worlock.

Archbishop Derek Worlock was Archbishop of Liverpool from 19 March 1976 until his death on 8 February 1996.  He had previously served as Bishop of Portsmouth from 1965.

All are welcome to attend this evening's Mass.
 

Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Bishop Tom Williams and Bishop Vincent Malone met His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in a Private Audience on Thursday 28 January 2010.  Afterwards Archbishop Patrick said: 'We had a good conversation about the Church in the Archdiocese of Liverpool and covered many topics.  The audience very much affirmed us in what we are seeking to do with and for the people of the archdiocese.'

Together with the Archbishop of Westminster, Liverpool born Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Patrick has recorded an interview with Philippa Hitchen of Vatican Radio.  The programme can be heard here:

Listen to Archbishop Nichols and Archbishop Kelly on Vatican Radio

Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Auxiliary Bishop Tom Williams and retired Auxiliary Bishop Vincent Malone have left Liverpool for Rome for the five yearly visit Ad Limina Apostolorum.  During their stay they will meet with officials from the Congregations and Commissions of the Holy See and will have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI as they report on the life of the Church in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Bishop Malone writes:

'Every five years the diocesan Bishop is bound to submit to the Supreme Pontiff a report on the state of the diocese entrusted to him … [and] … is to go to Rome to venerate the tombs of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and to present himself to the Roman Pontiff'.  So state Canons 399 and 400 of the Code of Canon Law.

Although no mention is made in those canons of the bishops of a particular province or country making their visits at the same time, that is now the custom.  Accordingly all the bishops of England and Wales will be in Rome together to discharge the above duties.

Quinquennial Reports have been compiled – with the help of many different hands reporting on their various sections of diocesan responsibilities – and despatched via the Apostolic Nuncio in London to the Holy Father, and through him to Congregations and Pontifical Councils of the Roman Curia.  During their visit to Rome the bishops will together call upon senior officials of many of these “dicasteries”, as they are called, and have the welcome opportunity to converse with the authors of Vatican documents which often seem impersonal when they appear in cold print.

But the highlight of the visit for each bishop is the fifteen or twenty minutes when he will be invited into the Pope’s library for a short personal conversation with the Holy Father, that sets each diocesan story within the context of the world-wide Church.

Moreover, Canon 396 prescribes that each diocesan bishop is to complete the visitation of each part of his diocese every five years.  The balance between the two duties is easily seen: the network of visits by the bishop around the diocese binds the parishes into one, and, on completion of the round, the diocese in the person of the bishop is affirmed as being part of the universal Church under the leadership of the Vicar of Christ.

Pray during the time of our bishops’ visit to Rome for the responsiveness of the Church to the guidance of the Spirit given to its founding Apostles, and promised to their successors until the end of time. Pray for the Church in England and Wales, that its members may merit the noble title of 'the faithful', ever welcoming into their number new concelebrants of God's Good News.

Pupils of St Peter and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Mawdesley, Lancashire are in for a term of celebrations as the school became 150 years old on the 30th January.

The school lies at the junction of Ridley Lane and Back Lane East, and attracts pupils aged 4-11 from areas such as Croston, Rufford, Heskin, Eccleston and Mawdesley itself amongst others.

Tricia Coulthard, head teacher at the school for four years, said: ‘I am delighted to be overseeing the school’s 150th year; it is a fantastic achievement and a tribute to all the hard work of both former and current staff and governors that we are celebrating such a landmark anniversary.’

To commemorate the milestone, the school has planned a number of events, including a Mass celebrated by former pupil Father Gerard Cobham on Friday 29th January for the children and staff, when the children enjoyed celebratory cake afterwards. A second Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 24th February, celebrated by Father Gerald Anders, Parish Priest; to mark the occasion staff, governors, parents and children will join together with staff and governors from local catholic schools to celebrate the school anniversary.

The school have also organised an 150th Anniversary Ball that will take place on Friday 12th March, at Shaw Hill Hotel and Country Club, where parents, teachers and former pupils are invited to an evening of dinner and dancing with live entertainment and the chance to win some fantastic prizes in the evening’s raffle. For tickets to the Anniversary Ball or to donate raffle items for the event, please contact the school on 01704 822216. An Open Afternoon/Evening in April is also on the agenda.

Tricia added: ‘Our Open Afternoon/Evening in April will be very special and to mark the occasion we will be holding an exhibition of artefacts and photographs. Light refreshments will be available and teachers will be on hand to answer any questions parents may have about the school.

‘We are a very friendly school with strong family values and love to welcome new pupils into our school community. Parents are more than welcome to come and have a look around during this very exciting time for the school.’

Former pupils of St Peter and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School wishing to share their memories of their time at the school should contact Sandra Cobham or Tricia Coulthard, at the school, on 01704 822216.

More information can be found at: http://www.ss-peter.lancsngfl.ac.uk/

A brief history of St Peter and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Mawdesley

St Peter and St Paul’s School, Mawdesley was first opened on 30th January 1860, prior to this there was a small cottage school nearby. When it opened in 1860 there were 69 children and one teacher. There was one large classroom and one small classroom. Girls entered the premises though the left hand gate and door, boys through the right hand gate and door and the playground had a dividing wall, one half for boys the other for girls.

When the school opened in 1860, education was not compulsory but by 1870 it had become compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. One or two fortunate children may well have been able to extend their education beyond this age but for the majority that was the age they started work.

The lowest number attending was in the early part of 1960 when the attendance was about 33. The highest number on record, 129, was during the Second World War when the numbers were boosted due to the evacuees from Liverpool living in Mawdesley.

Records show that the original school cost just short of £700.00, a third of this was given by the Education Board, the remainder by donations from local Catholic dignitaries and parishioners.

In 1897 Mr Joseph Orton came to the school as Headmaster, his wife Amelia also taught at the school as did their daughter Laura. Mr Orton taught at the school for 28years. Miss Ellen Smith came to the school as Headmistress in 1934, Miss Smith was Headmistress for 30 years.

Dedicated to St Edmund Arrowsmith

Archbishop Patrick Kelly visited Whiston on Wednesday 20 January to bless and open the new St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Centre for Learning. The newly built Centre in Cumber Lane replaces the former St Edmund Arrowsmith High School in Scotchbarn Lane.

The state of the art building which will serve both pupils and the local community boasts many exciting features including: open space, glass paneling and natural lighting as the key to the design, an example of this is an eye-catching 53m wide by 18m deep atrium. It has plug, wireless and internet sockets scattered on floors and walls to encourage independence among students armed with the latest IT equipment. Classroom walls can also be removed, extended or shortened depending on the project or class size. The 100-seater lecture theatre can be ‘folded up’ to become a normal teaching space, and the building is energy efficient with underground water used to partially heat the school.

At the start of the opening ceremony the Mayor of Knowsley, Councillor Dave Smithson spoke of the ‘excellent relationship’ between the Council and the Archdiocese saying: ‘This impressive building we find ourselves in today is a testament to this relationship and the spirit of partnership that exists’.

Pupils and staff arranged a liturgy to bless and dedicate their new building. In his homily Archbishop Patrick spoke of the Patron Saint of the new Centre saying: ‘It is quite something to be part of a place named for Edmund Arrowsmith and formed and shaped by his story. It says this place is much wider, broader, more daring than skills, or any sats exams, league tables we could invent. It says: here we face the challenge: Jesus shall be the centre of this centre of learning and my whole life,  There is a determination to offer a formation that will enable young people to reach out and be ever more committed to the common good of all.  I am certain I can assure you this Centre for Learning with such a patron will not disappoint you’.

Principal, Martyn Campbell, described the new building as ‘a fabulous brand new centre with outstanding facilities where students are happy to be on one site which will inspire them to achieve their goals.’

Father Johnny Abu Khalil, Parish Priest of St Justin's, Nablus, writes following the recent visit by Father Mark Madden, parish Priest of St Cecilia's, Tuebrook.   The two parishes are twinned.

Greetings from St. Justin, Nablus.

I would like to thank you for your interest and the generous love you the parishioners of the Archdiocese of Liverpool have offered us.  This generous love was shown and guaranteed by the visit of Father Mark Madden to our Parish of St. Justin in Rafidia on Sunday 10 January 2010.

I was very happy with this visit, because it was the first time I met Father Mark, the parish priest of St. Cecilia's parish in Liverpool, after a long time talk ng together.  His visit was very important to every person in our parish, and because it is important the church was full when we celebrated Mass with him.  Also the scouts in the parish that are for the four churches we have in Nablus insisted on welcoming him with their great music as he arrived. 

The liturgy was very prayful, and again I thank Father Mark and his parishioners and all our friends in Liverpool especially in St. Cecilia's particularly those who remembered us with their Christmas cards.

We in St Justin's are waiting for you all to come and support your brothers and sisters in the Holy Land of Palestine, with your prayers and visits to the living stones.  This is a personal invitation from me to everyone of you to visit Nablus and the living stones of St Justin's parish.  Your visit supports us and helps us to stay in this land where God gave us a special mission to be christians.

Also i would like to thank Archbishop Patrick Kelly for his generous love for Nablus and his generous help to the parish of St Justin.  Father Mark brought us all his greetings, and gave me his gift of a stole of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.  He also told me three things that werer requested by the Archbishop: to pray for him, for the parishioners of the Archdiocese, and for all the people of Liverpool.  I promise him my prayers and those of my parishioners.

Many thanks to all.  May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you all.

United in Prayer
 
Abouna Johnny Abu Khalil
St Justin Church - Rafidia
Latin Patriarchate - Jerusalem

Visit to Nablus

After four cancelled flights and many delays Father Mark Madden, Parish Priest of St Cecilia's, Tuebrook, Liverpool has arrived in Nablus to visit the 'twin parish' of St Justin.  He writes:

'After a nightmare trying to leave a snowy, cold and icy Britain, it was lovely arriving in a sunny, warm and lucious Holy Land.  The highlight of the visit was my day in Rafidia, Nablus, twinned with St. Cecilia's Tuebrook.

Because Archbishop Kelly had to cancel his visit due to the severe weather, I made the visit along with four other people taking part in the Coordination Meeting.  The four included a French Bishop and a Vatican Journalist.  I've experienced a Palestinian Welcome in the past but none of us were prepared for what we got.  St. Justin's Rafidia has 280 people from 58 families; all 280 people came to greet us along with the entire Nablus Scouts with drums and the bagpipes that St. Cecilias brought for them four years ago.  A great celebration of Mass joined us all together: an International Mass with people praying in Arabic, French and English.  After an exchange of gifts and coffee with parishioners, lunch with the Parish Religious and Parish Council and a visit to Jacob's Well, drinking the life-giving waters that the Lord offered to the woman of Samaria and offers to us all.

I've come away reluctantly but fulfilled.  The people there give us hope that by accepting the life-giving water, the Lord is walking with us even in difficulties.  They are so very grateful to all of us in Liverpool for our love and friendship.  I come away convinced that the only way to help is by walking and leading each other to the Well in order to meet the Lord and drink the waters that only He can give.

Bishops'Holy Land Co-ordination underway

Day one of the Bishop's Holy Land Coordination meeting saw various overviews given by key people in the Church in the Holy Land. The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal,  reminded us that the Church in Jerusalem is directly identified with the mission of Christ and of hope with the empty tomb. He shared his views with regards to the Papal Visit in May 2009 when the Pope came as a friend to everyone. During his homiles the Pope made direct pleas for peace and left the people of the Holy Land with the means of continued dialogue and communication. He commented that the number of pilgrims visiting the Holy Land rose in 2009, a sign of hope and solidarity.

It was good to hear from various Church Agencies working to support the all people of the Holy Land. Many give assistance through humanitarian aid, education, medical aid, legal aid and youth work, especially in Gaza.

The meeting also included sessions led by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Franco, and Consul Generals amongst others.

I think today's overriding message is clear; the best way to help the Christians is through: prayer, coming on Pilgrimage, persuasion and getting involved in projects. The Church in the Holy Land is very grateful for the solidarity shown in word, deed and visiting, but we must never stop. Our support and getting involved is so very important and very well appreciated.

Holy Land Co-ordination Day Two

Day two of the meeting has seen us travelling around the area.  We were given a talk from an Israeli Lawyer on the continued destruction of Arab homes and land in East Jerusalem and then went to see for ourselves from the Mount of Olives what was happening.  Standing on the Mount was a surreal moment; directly in front of us a Jewish Burial Service was taking place while we were also standing near the Garden and Church of Gethsemanae and surrounding us was the Muslim call to prayer.  That sums up Jerusalem - a surreal and unbelievable city; a city called 'Holy' to us all.

The visit wasn't all about destruction but also new life as we witnessed the new Housing Project being funded by the Catholic Church for Arab families.  The Latin Patriarchate is building 72 new houses and providing funds through international help for those wishing to rent these new homes.

Onwards to Bethlehem, still festooned in Christmas decorations.  First stop was Bethlehem University and a meeting with staff and students.  Liverpool is held in high esteem within the University because of the Archbishop and it's link with Liverpool Hope.  Hope was the main message because within the womb of tragedy lies hope.  The students are filled with hope that what they receive at the University will give them a better life and future.

A brief visit to the Latin Seminary once again gave us hope that the Church in the Holy Land is in good hands with many students in both the Junior and Senior Seminary.

Finally Evening Prayer at the spot where the One who gives us hope was born.  A very rare luxury of having the Nativity Church to ourselves was well appreciated as we could spend time with our own thoughts in the Grotto and venerate the spot where Jesus was born.

So as our day began feeling depressed, hope finally shone through with the people we met and the experiences they shared.  Again that's the irony of this place.  Amidst problems there are always chinks of hope.  After all with Calvary comes the Empty Tomb.

Holy Land Co-ordination Day Three

The penultimate day of the meeting began with a visit to the Al Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine and one of the most famous sights in Jerusalem; the Golden Dome.  According to Islamic tradition, the prophet Mohammad ascended to Heaven on the rock which the Golden Dome covers. We were warmly welcomed to this site, a very serene and peaceful place with people praying and quietly socialising.

This afternoon we travelled to the city of Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority and the ruling Fatah Party.  A warm and typical Palestinian welcome from the local parishioners of the Parish of Holy Family with celebration of Mass, a reception and meeting with the parishioners and a wonderful dinner followed.  Wherever we go and whoever we meet, people are very happy to welcome us and to share their stories and we in turn share ours.  We share and become communion in many different ways.

But the visit to the Comboni Sisters in the village of Bethany, a few short miles from Jerusalem will stick in my mind.

The Sisters have been on this site in Bethany for 60 years and run a Nursery School situated within their grounds.  But the Separation Wall which blights the landscape now runs through the heart of the convent, within feet of the convent building and school.  Previously the convent was only a five minute walk from their parish church, but because of the Wall it now takes over an hour to get to Mass!  The school is worst affected.  They have no play ground and much of the natural light is blotted out.  The school is completly cut off from it's pupils and their families.  Until recent Vatican intervention it would take nearly two hours for children as young as five to reach their classroom.  The Authorities have now placed a temporary door in the Wall which is opened for two 15 minute periods a day in order for parents to pass their children through to the Sisters.  Only this morning at the start of school seven children got through before the gate was quickly closed and wasn't re-opened for two hours for the other 50 children to get through.  We delayed our departure to witness the children being passed back through to their parents at the end of school day.

And yet all these people; Sisters, teachers, parents and children smile and get on with their lives. They are grateful when their lives are running smoothly and hopeful when they're not. 'Inshallah' 'If God wills.'

Tomorrow is our final day and we begin to head home.  Fingers crossed no delays. inshallah!

Holy Land Co-ordination Final Day

The final day of the meeting focussed on the preparation and ratification of the final communique of the Bushops in support of the Church in the Holy Land.

They took as their basis the words of Pope Benedict when he himself came as a pilgrim in May 2009.  In his departing appeal the Pope called for 'no more bloodshed! No more fighting!  No more terroism!  No more war!'  He asked for 'lasting peace based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing.'  The Pope and now the bishops remind us that 'the State of Israel have the right to exist, and to enjoy peace and security within internationally agreed borders. Likewise, the Palestinian people have the right to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely.'  The Pope concluded: 'Let peace spread outwards from these lands, let them serve as a light to the nations, bringing hope to the many other regions that are affected by conflict.' (May 2009)

The Bishops encourage all people to learn about the situation and to come on pilgrimage to witness the vibrant faith of the local Christians.  They ask that we encourage every courageous act, undertaken by public officials, for a just resolution to the conflict.

In their final paragraph they state: 'in the current situation, it is difficult to sustain hope, but as Christians we were all born with Jesus in Bethlehem; we all died and rise to new life in Jerusalem.  Despite the wounds of this land, love and hope are alive.  Peace with justice is within reach, but all people of goodwill need courage to achieve it.'

That's the hope I've witnessed this week in Nablus, Bethlehem University, Ramallah and many other places.  Hope is the gift that the Christians of this land give to all of us.

Jerusalem is our Mother Church, our life-line.  It's our responsibility to care and to protect our Mother, just as it's the role of the Mother to care for her children.  I've seen these two sides this week and I'm certain that love and hope will prevail.


Father Mark is now travelling back to the UK.

Father Johnny Abu Khalil, Parish Priest of St Justin's, Nablus, writes about parish life and the importance of the twinning with St Cecilia's parish, Liverpool.

I would like to thank you for all what you do to let the Catholics in the United Kingdom know about the Palestinian Christians who are always looking for the support of their sisters and brothers all over the world.

I am 39 years old and from the old city of Jerusalem. I studied at the De La Salle Brothers school, and then went to Paris to study Fashion Design. I then came back and worked for five years. At the age of 25 in 1995 I entered the Latin Patriarchate Seminary for four years of theology studies. Patriarch Sabbah nominated me as Catechist in the LPJ school in Ramallah, and at the Greek Catholic schools I was then was nominated as Administrative Assistant for Father William who was the General Administrator at that time. In 2006 he was nominated Rector of the seminary. I was ordained on the 27 September 2008, and was then nominated as responsible of the prepodetique, spiritual year at the seminary for one year.

In June 2009 I became Parish priest of St. Justin's parish in Nablus. The Parish has this name because St. Justin was born in 110 AD in Nablus. The parish has 54 families (280 people) from 680 Christians in Nablus, the general population here is 320, 000 people. So we are very much a minority but very respected in Nablus. Nablus endured a very bad political situation during the last ten years; it was totally closed from everywhere, no one can leave it or enter it, that made the daily life very difficult and unsupportable, also with a very bad economic life. The people here are very good but the faith declined because of the bad social life and the sickness of the former parish priest. Also last year they were without a parish priest for a time. After I came here I visited all the parishioners, and started to work hard to give life again to the parish, they became very happy and much more related to the church, I started to do my best for the youth, meeting them and making them more interested in the faith, I also encouraged them to spend more of their free time in the Convent rather than in the coffee shops and in the streets. I am now looking for support to establish a Youth Centre for them in the Convent. Thank God for the success so far, especially spiritually.

I knew Father Mark Madden through our Patriarch Fouad Twal who met him last summer. It is wonderful to have contact with St Cecilia’s parish, twinned with St. Justin’s parish.

This kind of twinning is very important for me as a parish priest and for all the Catholics here in the Holy Land, because the Christians here feel very lonely, and many have left the Holy Land because of the lack of hope in life. We as a Church started to support relations with the living stones in Palestine to support them spiritually and financially, so that they are not alone. They have their brothers and sisters all over the world, and we really need this kind of support, you cannot imagine the happiness of my parishioners to the visit of Father Mark.

We had an Italian group who visited three months ago, and celebrated Mass with us, my parishioners told me such visits are very important to us.

I talked a lot about the twinning we had with St. Cecilia's parish and we always mention them in our prayers, thanking God for their financial support and for all they are doing to develop our church, and for their love and the spiritual support they give to us.

From Nablus I would like to call every pilgrim to come and visit the living stones in the Holy Land and not only the holy places because those holy places without the Palestinian Christians will become dead stones, with no meaning, because Jesus wants the faith to remain in his own country and in all the holy places.
We thank a lot Fr. Mark and his parishioners for all they are doing for us, we ask them to keep always in union in prayers and keep our friendship and to remain always one as our new born King wanted us to be always.

A message from Canon Anthony O'Brien, Dean of the Metropolitan Cathedral


The Metropolitan Cathedral was due to have the Three Kings Epiphany Service this Friday, 8th January at 1.45pm.

Many schools have rung to say that they are not able to attend and the schools that are involved in providing the music and readers are closed until after the weekend.

We could go ahead by having a simpler order of service but our biggest concern is the condition of the pavements and steps around the Cathedral and do not consider it advisable for schools to bring parties of children for fear of injury to young children.

A sincere thank you to all the schools who said they would take part and for all the work that has gone into making presents and gifts etc.

We apologise for the late notice but have reluctantly decided to cancel the service.

A new venture was launched on the evening 14th December in the upper room of a pub in Chorley.
'Faith on Draught' is an initiative of the Archdiocesan Commission for Evangelisation and its new developments sub-group headed by Fr Simon Gore. The idea is to provide an opportunity for thought and reflection on a religious topic in a setting that would open this reflection to people who would not normally encounter such a chance. Over forty people gathered on Monday night in the Swan with Two Necks pub to ponder the truth behind the Christmas story and to reflect on its relevance for each of us in our world today.

The input was led by Fr Chris Thomas who provided a thoughtful introduction to some deep and quite frank questioning and sharing that took place over a 'pint' and a sandwich.

Fr Simon Gore said: 'Tonight was a pilot – we wanted to see if it would work. We were delighted with the turn out and with the dynamics of the meeting. It is our intention to provide some more such opportunities during Lent. If you would like to know more follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/faithondraught or on Facebook: search for 'Faith on Draught' Group or by email at faithondraught@googlemail.com

Fr Philip Inch, the Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation, who was present has said that this initiative is one way for us to answer the call of Pope John Paul for a new evangelisation. We have eternal truths to proclaim and we have to find new and changing ways in which to proclaim them: Faith on Draught is one such way.

Launch of the Friends of the Holy Land


There were celebrations to launch the new national Friends of the Holy Land Charity at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Sunday 15 November when Archbishop Patrick Kelly welcomed the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal who celebrated the 11 am Mass and a Mass of Confirmation at 3 pm. His Beatitude expressed his great appreciation of all that was being done to assist the Christian Community in the Holy Land. ‘It is very encouraging to visit this country and see the love and friendship that exists for our people. It is not easy living in the Holy Land at this time and we need support from fellow Christians from around the world. The Friends of the Holy Land is a great initiative and I wish it every success in its planned development. We will always be happy to welcome the “Friends” to our Land.’
Archbishop Kelly, speaking at the Reception that followed the Confirmation Mass at, said, ‘This is a great initiative and has my whole-hearted support. We need to encourage those who are representing Christians from all over the world in the Land of the Lord’s birth, death and resurrection. Do consider what you can do in your own parish or pastoral area to progress this work. In this way we can make contact with the parishioners, the schools and the other institutions as well as assisting directly those who are in great need of humanitarian aid. Please do not forget that the greatest thing we can do is to pray for them…and that is something every individual is able to do.’
Together with the Archbishop of Westminster The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Patrick Kelly is one of the Patrons of the Friends of the Holy Land.
National Chairman, Dr Michael Whelan, said: ‘I am delighted at the encouragement and support that has been expressed for this initiative. Everyone is able to assist in their own way and make a contribution however large or small and when it is repeated in all parishes and by all our Friends across the dioceses then it can have a great impact. Please do what you can to contribute to our work.’
Parishioners who would like to form a Friends of the Holy Land Group in their parish, please visit the website (www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk) or contact us by email info@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk or telephone the National Office on 01926 512980.

Read Archbishop Twal's Homilies:

Archbishop Fouad Twal is from a Bedouin tribe who lived as nomads in the deserts of Jordan. Now he is the Roman Catholic Archbishop and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and a prophet of peace for his flock in the troubled Holy Land.

During his visit to Liverpool to launch the Friends of the Holy Land charity he spoke of his gratitude to the Catholic Church in England and Wales, its bishops and parishes, for their support in ensuring that his people do not feel 'abandoned or alone'.

Expanding on the situation in Palestine, he added: 'We receive a lot of help and we are grateful, but at the same time we say we need more. What we need is peace. We don’t want to be a begging Church, we don’t want to be beggars with a licence. I don’t like this.

'We need a political horizon – it’s time to put an end to the wall, the checkpoints. It’s time for a Palestinian state, it’s time for an end to our problems with visas.'

The Archbishop was born on 23 October 1940 in Madaba, Jordan. He was 25 when he was ordained to the priesthood in June 1966.

He says he came to the priesthood through meeting 'a very, very good priest' in his home town. “ ' never thought about the salvation of society, I wanted to be like this holy man who was very good and visited the poor and blessed houses. He attracted me, and little by little the vocation came.'

Appointed Vicar of Ramallah following his ordination, he entered the Pontifical Lateran University in 1972 where he studied for a doctorate in Canon Law.

Pope John Paul II appointed him prelate of the territorial prelature of Tunis in May 1992. He was ordained bishop later that year. When Tunis became a diocese in its own right in 1995, he was made archbishop ad personam.

After Pope Benedict XVI named him the coadjutor archbishop of Jerusalem in 2005, he eventually succeeded Michael Sabbah as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, receiving the pallium from the Pope at a Mass in the Basilica of St Peter in June 2008.

This year brought his appointment as a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

As Patriarch, for him the Holy Land is not just Jerusalem and Bethlehem but also Jordan – home to 'the majority of our faithful' – Palestine and Cyprus. When Pope Benedict visits in June he will welcome him in Cyprus.

Reflecting on his roots, he says his people, after over a century of living as nomads, are now settled in cities. But while they live under civil law, they keep as close as possible to the values of their tribal system – including showing hospitality and being faithful to God and their neighbours.

He wants to help bring peace to the land but admits support is required. 'We need this spiritual link, otherwise we can’t resist,' he explains. 'We need peace, we want to solve the conflict. But it doesn’t just depend on us, it is about politics. We don’t understand everything about politics. But the Friends of the Holy Land know very well the situation, they know the people are in favour of justice.'

Archbishop Twal regards the Holy Land as a land of three surprises: first, the incarnation, God taking human form; second, the resurrection; and third, peace for everybody. He is asking for our prayers to achieve that peace.

Listen to the Patriarch:

November 3rd is the Feast of St Martin de Porres, the Patron Saint of the Liverpool Archdiocesan Missionary Project which sends priests to serve in Latin America with the Boston Based Society of St James.

This year the project marks it's thirtieth anniversary and we look back to it's founding by the then Archbishop of Liverpool, Derek Worlock.

'Mission Accomplished. LAMP is lit. Deo Gratias.”'

With these stirring words, the late Archbishop Derek Worlock finished his diary of his historic visit to Latin America 30 years ago, marking the start of the Liverpool Archdiocesan Missionary Project.

In his pastoral letter of November 1979, the Archbishop urged: 'Please help to make this LAMP Sunday a day to remember in the history of the Archdiocese, a day when we try to forget our own needs and take our share in the missionary work of the Church.

'And may the Lord bring the strength of his love to those in Latin America for whom our priests are caring in his name.'

Three decades on this vital work is still being faithfully carried out, as Archbishop Patrick Kelly noted in his pastoral letter read on this LAMP Sunday, 1 November. It is being carried out by priests like Father Joe Bibby, keeping the LAMP flame alight high in the Andes in Bolivia, and by Fr Denis Parry and Fr Simon Cadwallader in Lima, Peru – the former in the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the north of the capital, the latter in Villa el Salvador.

For the past three decades Liverpool priests have volunteered to serve in Latin America, standing alongside the poor and deprived, and supported by the people of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Kelly paid tribute to '30 years of constant, affectionate commitment to LAMP by priests and people'.

He cited the example of how parishioners’ generosity had enabled Dr Jonathan Berry of Penketh to add languages to his medical skills so that now he is serving as a doctor in Bolivia. And there is Archbishop Paul Gallagher now the Nuncio in Guatemala.

Archbishop Kelly also paid tribute to the courage of his predecessor, Archbishop Worlock. He said: 'Reading his diary of his visit to Latin America brought home to me for the first time the sheer physical courage of this great man.'

In the diary, reproduced in the Catholic Pictorial 30 years ago, we read how the plane he was travelling on 'had webbing seats along each side, with maximum capacity for 30 passengers. There were 63 persons aboard, plus luggage down the middle, several babies, and a chicken or two.'

And again: 'Tomorrow we are to visit a village some miles away, cut off by landside, so there is talk of horses. But just now my thoughts are of cockroaches which have reached my bed and my suitcases and of the overflowing WC from which the water is now spreading across the floor.”

Archbishop Worlock setting up an altar in a school hut in a clearing in Peru and being handed a bottle of mosquito lotion. “Gratefully, liberally and apparently successfully we applied this anywhere within reach as the bugs committed suicide in the candles.'

Archbishop Kelly believes that our priests have come back from Latin America in the intervening years 'to bless us, because they themselves have been blessed by those who are the poor in spirit, gentle, hungry and thirsty, peacemakers and yes, who are persecuted in the cause of right.'

This is a theme well-understood by Fr Chris McCoy, now parish priest of St John Fisher, Knowsley Village, who worked in Peru from 1990-96, after responding to a call by Archbishop Worlock for volunteers.

Then an assistant priest at Our Lady Queen of Martys in Croxteth, he 'decided to go because I was young, in my early 30s, and had served six years since my ordination, and I thought it was an important part of my service in our Diocese, to serve in Latin America.'

Peru was then 'fairly unstable and a quite dangerous place”'with terrorists around and he spent most of his time in a shanty town on the edge of Lima with a very young population, 70 per cent of whom were under 25. Yet the the people very responsive. 'It was all about serving any needs there were. The real issues were poverty, lack of work and nutrition – they went hungry.'

Lima is built on desert so access to water was a big problem, with supplies often switched off. 'It was a real challenge. But priests are very much organised by the people and they organised workshops, helped people with TB, organised shared kitchens where people fed each other. They organised themselves into different groups, many for young people.

'One guy coming from England doesn’t do everything. My job was to encourage and support the struggle for justice and dignity in their lives.'

Fr Chris, who lived in the middle of the shanty town, described his experience in Peru as 'deeply formative'. He said: 'I am very glad I went. I am still in touch with priests sent to Latin America through the Missionary Society of St James, all around the UK and the world.

'We meet every two years and reflect on how the work we did impacts on our personal ministry in the UK. It changes us, and the way of thinking, when face to face with very diverse poverty. It puts lots of things in perspective.

'For example, the population of Catholics in my parish was nearly 70,000 in one shanty town. It’s like having just four or five priests to cover the whole of Liverpool, with its population of around 400,000. This is why the lay people take the lead and the responsibility, and this is the way it should be.'

Serving in Latin America in this missionary work , added Fr Chris, 'is part of our understanding of what it is to be a Catholic. Christianity doesn’t stop at the boundaries of the parish. It reaches right across the world, whether it is through the work of LAMP or CAFOD. The world is our parish.'

From his parish in the northern zone of Lima, Fr Denis Parry told a similar story of trying to deal with huge numbers – he can envisage his young parish having a population of 60,000 one day.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, he explained, was founded in 2006 as the offshoot of another densely populated parish and covers an area 17 kilometres in length. 'It is divided into two distinct realities – one is mainly rural and consists of 11 small villages which have no irrigation and electricity only during the day, the other sector is a new urbanisation that continues to develop and grow.'

Fr Denis had to start from scratch. 'I have lived in rented accommodation for three years because there is no infrastructure in the parish,' he said. 'We still have no parish house, office, meeting rooms or permanent church. Likewise, we lack catechists, ministers of the eucharist or people adequately trained to assume responsibility.

'However, we have made great strides in a relatively short time. With the help of donation money and fundraising activities, we were able to construct a prefabricated chapel with concrete floor in time for the parish feast in December last year. We celebrated First Holy Communion for the first time in the parish – more than 80 children in all. It was a very joyous occasion.

'This year we began a confirmation programme for the teenagers and in 2010 I hope to begin with the construction of a parish house, and later on with the construction of a church that will be large enough to hold 800 people.' Thirty years after the LAMP was lit, it is burning bright – but there remains much work to be done.

Read in full Archbishop Patrick Kelly's Pastoral Letter for LAMP Sunday 2009 here

Make a donation to LAMP here

Following the death of Father Edward O'Toole, Parish Priest of St Edward's and St Cuthbert's, Wigan on Tuesday 27October 2009 the Archdiocese issued the following statement:

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Father Edward O’Toole today Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, parishioners and friends at this time.

It is understood that swine flu was a contributory factor in his sad death. The local Primary Care Trust has given assurance that even in these circumstances the precautions which are in place in the Archdiocese are adequate if taken seriously.

Father Eddie had been a faithful servant of the Church in the Archdiocese he was born in Liverpool on 24 August 1962, the son of Edward and Esther. He attended St James’ Primary School, Bootle, and the Salesian High School, Bootle. His studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin, and he was ordained as a priest for the Blessed Sacrament Fathers (SSS) on 1 July 1989 at St Elizabeth’s, Litherland.

In September 1989 he was appointed to the parish of St Andrew, Newcastle, and in October 1990 he moved to the John Paul Centre in Middlesbrough. In December 1991 he was appointed to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Dublin, where he remained until September 1994 when he moved to the Blessed Sacrament Shrine in Liverpool City Centre.

In January 1997 he was assigned to Blessed Sacrament parish, Aintree, having sought incardination into the Archdiocese of Liverpool. He remained there until the following June and then moved briefly to St Sylvester, Liverpool. In September 1997 he was appointed to St Mary, Chorley, where his ministry also took him into Holy Cross Secondary School, serving most of the Chorley area. He remained there for one year until his appointment as Parish Priest of St Edward, Wigan in September 1998. His incardination into the Archdiocese of Liverpool was granted and completed in November 1998. He took additional responsibility for the parish of St Cuthbert, Pemberton in 2007.

He continued to serve the parish until his untimely death on the morning of Tuesday 27 October. May he rest in peace.

His body will be received into St Edward’s church, Wigan, for parish Mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent Malone at 7.00pm on Tuesday 3 November His Requiem Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Patrick Kelly at 11.00am on Wednesday 4 November in St Elizabeth’s church, Litherland where he was ordained in 1989. Burial, by courtesy of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, will be in Ford cemetery where the Fathers have a burial plot.

Health Secretary addresses Liverpool Catholic Healthcare Workers

‘The NHS is about people and people matter’ was the message at the heart of an address given by Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, to an audience of people from Catholics in Healthcare at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral on Sunday 18 October. The Leigh MP was speaking at the invitation of Liverpool’s Auxiliary Bishop, Tom Williams, at the first of a regular series of events to show support for Catholics who work in the NHS.

Mr Burnham began by thanking people for the work they do saying: ‘we do not take enough time to say “thank you” and it is important that we come together for the future of the NHS to make it stronger and better’. In paying tribute to that work he spoke of a ten day ‘work shadowing’ exercise which he had done some years ago as a junior Health Minister. He had been in a Manchester Hospital working with porters for the day where he said he learned not only of the work they do but also of the pride which they have in working for the NHS. He said: ‘when we think of the NHS we tend to think of the very front line, doctors and nurses but we need to think of the whole team: chaplains, cleaners, porters, managers and administrative staff’.

‘The values on which the NHS was founded were drawn from the Church,’ he continued ‘all people regardless of means are taken in and given care and support. We only take out what we need so that resources remain in the system for others.’ He continued saying that he believes that these principles have stronger support than ever today and that the NHS can be an inspiration to others.

Looking to the future he said he wanted medical care to become more preventative and people centred both in terms of staff and patients. He looked to the continuing evolution of a system which is responsive to the needs of individual patients and empowering of staff. He said that ‘staff need to be involved and empowered and that change should not be imposed from on high as we achieve more together than we do alone’. He praised staff for caring for patients in the same way as they would care for their own relatives.

Speaking of criticism of the NHS where people fear that the basic values and ethos are being eroded he pointed to the new NHS Constitution launched last year which he said would put the values of the Service beyond doubt in legislation. ‘The NHS Constitution states clearly that we value each person as an individual, respecting their commitments in life and seeking to understand their priorities and needs. Working together, we can make sure this commitment is put into action every day across health and care services.’

In responding to a question from the audience he assured people of the future of Chaplaincy Services in hospitals. He said he had received approaches calling for them to be scrapped in a time of economic crisis and the funding diverted to other services. His clear response was ‘not on my watch!’

Bishop Williams, who Chairs the Bishops’ Conference Healthcare Reference Group, thanked the Health Secretary for his positive address saying that he looked forward to continuing to build on the existing partnerships between the Church and those working in the NHS. The afternoon concluded with a celebration of Mass with a strong emphasis on thanksgiving for those who work in healthcare.

St Teresa’s goes Victorian

Children and staff from St Teresa’s school in Devon Street, St Helens celebrated the opening of their new school offices in Victorian style last month. Archbishop Patrick Kelly celebrated Mass before joining the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Terry Shields, to officially open a new sensory area and school offices. The guest list included representatives from the archdiocese and local authority as well as ex- head teachers and governors. The artist and architects were represented as was the parish.

The week started off with the installation of a specially commissioned piece of artwork made by the children and designed by artist Deborah Moses. The artwork is made from glass, reflecting the heritage of St Helens, a leading glassworks town.

St Teresa’s school is a Victorian building which has housed a school for over one hundred years. The school’s heritage is an important aspect of school life and the week was a celebration of Victorian life with the children learning about toys and celebrations in Victorian times with children making toys and cards in the style of the Victorian age. Friday saw the children and staff transformed into Victorian children, ladies, maids and school teachers. The playground was a sea of mop caps, ragged trousers and flat caps.

Over 17,000 people visited the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux during their 24 hour stay in Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. The relics arrived on Thursday afternoon, 24 September, and were carried into a packed Cathedral to spontaneous and prolonged applause. Bishop Vincent Malone presided at a celebration of Evening Prayer before the congregation began to file past and venerate the relics.

Over the next four hours thousands visited the Cathedral which was completely full an hour before Archbishop Patrick Kelly was due to celebrate Mass. Crowds gathered outside the building to listen to the Mass over speakers and again, as Mass finished, people went forward to venerate the relics.

At the start of Night Prayer at 10.30 pm Sisters from four Carmelite Convents in the region (Liverpool, St Helens, Preston and Upholland) processed in to the Cathedral to begin an all night vigil with the relics of their nineteenth century predecessor. Their vigil concluded with Morning Prayer at 7.30 am on Friday, 25 September.

A thousand people were present for Mass at 8.00 am celebrated by the Cathedral Dean, Canon Anthony O’Brien; and throughout the morning people came to the Cathedral in their thousands. Among the visitors were children from St Theresa’s Primary school in Sutton Manor, St Helens, who came to pray to their patron.

There was standing room only again at 12.30 pm when Bishop Brian Noble, Bishop of Shrewsbury, celebrated Mass, and as preparations began for the departure of the relics people were still flocking to the Cathedral.

At 2.30 pm Bishop Tom Williams, Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, presided at Evening Prayer at the end of which the relics were carried from the Cathedral, through the crowds outside, to begin their journey to Salford Cathedral. Again there was spontaneous applause as the casket was slowly driven away along Mount Pleasant.