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Portsmouth Diocese e-News Issue 307 (2021/04)
Tuesday 26th January 2021
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Welcome from Bishop Philip
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the weekly round-up of news and events from across the Diocese, together with some exciting invitations. We thank the Lord for His grace and love during these challenging times. I hope you are safe despite the cold weather: the picture is of a very wintry scene at St. Joseph’s Aldershot last Sunday! Please join me if you can on Thursday night for an Hour of Prayer and Praise from the Cathedral and also on Sunday for the talk “Faith in a Time of COVID”. COVID continues to have a massive impact on all our lives at the moment and we pray for a speedy resolution. Please note below a message about the Rite of Election and also Ash Wednesday. Meanwhile, tomorrow, Holocaust Memorial Day, is a day when we can pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters. This Thursday, we venerate the great Dominican theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas and Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday. There are a number of special invitations this week: to Tea with Mary, to a Diocesan Conference on Evangelisation,  to a discussion about First Holy Communion, to Ananaias Training on how to accompany others in faith, to join the Portsmouth Choral Union, to a Set Free Summit for young adults in the Spring and to a Justice and Peace conference in the Summer. The other big piece of news this week is an exciting development with Called and Gifted – now available online! Our thanks to Deacon Craig for assembling e-News for us this week – and to all of you for sending in your news and your notices. May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us all and keep us close to the Heart of Her Son. 

Join me this Sunday afternoon

Next Sunday evening, 31st January, at 5 pm, I invite you to join me for a short presentation called “The Role of Faith in the Time of COVID” I’m the first speaker in a series organised by the Archdiocese of Edinburgh and St. Andrews on Faith in the Time of COVID. The talks are all at 5pm on Sunday evenings and last 20 minutes followed by 10 minutes for questions – just half an hour in total. The other speakers include Dr. Mary Rice Hasson, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. where she directs the Catholic Women’s Forum, an initiative responding to Pope Francis’s call for Catholic women to assume a higher profile within the Church, and to think with the Church in addressing the problems of today. The Scottish philosopher, commentator and broadcaster Professor John Haldane from St. Andrew’s University, a former papal adviser to the Vatican, is speaking on Sunday 14th February. Then on 21st February, the series ends with Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP, the former Prime Minister.
 
It’s easy to join. Just register here.

Online Survey of the Laity of our Diocese 

Our online survey will be closing soon! As a parishioner, a disciple of Christ, a member of the lay faithful, what do you think is good about our Diocese? What should we celebrate? What do you think is not so good? What do you think are the challenges we face as a Diocese? And what do you think would help to develop further our mission of Bringing People Closer to Jesus Christ through His Church? We want to understand better what you the people and parishioners of our Diocese think and what you consider is important as we journey in faith together. This will help us to develop plans and priorities for the Diocese so that we can truly be faithful missionary people in a flourishing and vibrant Diocese that brings the joy and hope of the Gospel message to our communities and the wider world. To this end we have devised an online questionnaire. It has been running over Christmas and will run until the end of the month. We’ve now had over 1,500 responses! The survey will take between 10 and 20 minutes of your time as there are a few areas to cover and I would like to receive as much detail as you are happy to give. The views and thoughts from people who no longer come to church are also important so please do encourage those you think might want to have a say also to complete as much of the questionnaire as is relevant to them. We will publish the results in the Spring and they will inform our thinking about priorities for the next few years. In advance, thank you for your help. Click below to begin it. The link can also be found on the diocesan website and there is a paper version for those unable to access the digital version: leave a message with name and address for Chris Smith our Director of Communications on 023 9421 6496. 

To complete the questionnaire, click here

Join me this Thursday for Prayer and Praise
Join us this Thursday at 7.30 pm on live-stream from the Cathedral for an Hour of Prayer and Praise called “Verso L’Alto: Reach for the Heights”. During lockdown and serious situation we continue to face because of the COVID pandemic, as Christians our key task must be to pray for a speedy end to the crisis. We pray for the sick and for heroes, and for the safety of all. So, on Thursday nights over these weeks of lockdown, from 7.30 til 8.30, I’d like to invite you in person or online to join me and the Cathedral clergy for an Hour of Prayer and Praise for these intentions. We need from God a word of assurance, a message of hope, a sign of love. We need a Saviour. We need Christ the Lord and a real friendship with Him. You can join us this Thursday by the Cathedral live-stream to pray for all our intentions, for our safety, for our Diocese, for the sick and for resolution of the crisis. 

Would you be willing to help?

Would you be willing to help? Could you help bring diocesan news to your local area? Would you be able, from time to time, to help with the distribution of diocesan news within your pastoral area? We are trying to find two or three people in each pastoral area who would be willing to receive, from the diocese, perhaps three or four times a year, communications destined to be delivered to parishes within your area. It would really help us save lots of money on postage and it would also ensure that the diocesan news gets to each parish in good time. What’s involved? You would receive an email from the diocese arranging a time for a drop off to made to your house or your parish for you to collect. You would then take responsibility for getting the packs to the parishes within your area. Most Pastoral Areas only have five parishes or so within them. The more volunteers we get the lighter the load for us all – if you would be willing to help please email: events@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk letting us know which area you live in.

God’s Word can turn your life upside down

Here is the homily I preached in the Cathedral at the 1200 Mass on Sunday 24th January 2021, the Third Sunday of the Year, which was the ‘Sunday of the Word’ and the Sunday that fell within the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
 
One thing I enjoy a lot are the regular meetings with the other Hampshire Church leaders: Bishop Christopher, the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, Clare Downing, the URC Moderator, Dr. Andrew DeVille, the Methodist District Chair, the Baptist leader, Salvation Army and others too. I’m the convenor. We meet to pray, to exchange news, to share concerns. It’s amazing how we all face similar issues. With Bishop Christopher, our Diocese has a special relationship, because of the two joint schools we have on the Isle of Wight. We also have a joint school in Windsor, shared with the Anglican Diocese of Oxford. I mention all this because this week is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: more, in a moment...

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Laudato Si

Please find attached the talk I gave at the online conference last night. The conference was organised by Sr. Margaret Atkins of Boarbank Hall, Cumbria called Living Laudato Si: Your Planet and Your Parish. It was so pleasing to see a good turn-out from our Diocese of Portsmouth, including Jo Lewry, our CAFOD representative and also Hereward Drummond, the Secretary of our Board of Trustees. After the talk, we had a break-out sessions with our Diocesan members during which it was uplifting to hear of the real desire to go out and engage in environmental advocacy and also in practical local-level initiatives. In my talk, I point out how a Catholic ecological vision is vastly more comprehensive and radical than many secular initiatives, because of its theological starting-point and also because it incorporates a total concern for humans in their social and economic dimensions. It’s human sinfulness that is damaging the planet. Our thanks to Sr. Margaret for organising this conference. Click below to read the paper.

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Rite of Election 2021

Unfortunately, we are unable this year to celebrate the Rite of Election because of pandemic. The Rite of Election was due to take place in the Cathedral on Saturday 20th February. I wish to express to all our catechumens and candidates our sorrow and disappointment about this, but also our prayers. On that day, I will offer up the Holy Mass for you and for all your intentions as you prepare for baptism and for reception into full communion with the Catholic Church. We know that many of you are preparing for these sacraments of initiation despite the challenges of the COVID-crisis. I thank you, your clergy and your catechists for all the good work. Let us pray for a speedy end to the crisis. In the meantime, we will all be remembering you in our prayers. If you are seeking support and help for your Journey in Faith or RCIA group, please contact Vicki Munday: rcia@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or Sr Hyacinthe: ffm@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

This Thursday – St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274)

This Thursday, 28th January is the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Dominican theologian called “The Angelic Doctor”. A good day to go to Mass if you can, let’s also pray on Thursday for the Dominicans, the ‘Order of Preachers’. Here, I reproduce the short biography for the day given by Dawn Marie Beutner in her excellent new book Saints: Becoming an Image of Christ Every Day of the Year (San Francisco, Ignatius Press: 2020).
 
Thomas was born on 1225 into a noble family at Rocca Secca in the central part of modern Italy. When he was five years old, he was sent to be educated of the famous Abbey at Monte Cassino where a relative was abbot. At the age of 13, he was removed from Monte Cassino, probably because of the dangers of the times, but a year later he was sent to study at the University of Naples. There he became acquainted with the members and practices of the Dominicans, and he became one himself at the age of 19. His family was outraged that he had chosen a mendicant order rather than a more established and wealthy one. Although the Dominicans were able to send him away on two occasions before his angry mother arrived, she then sent two of his brothers with a troop of soldiers to capture him. He was kidnapped and then imprisoned by his brothers at Rocca Secca and Monte Sang Giovanni; during that time, he wasn’t allowed to see anyone but two of his sisters. He used his two years’ imprisonment to memorise much of the Bible and to study The Four Books of Sentences by Peter Lombard, which was a standard theology textbook at the time; he even quickly sent away a woman who was sent to seduce him. The Pope himself tried to intervene in this very public family disagreement. Eventually, Thomas was released so that he could return to the Dominicans to study...

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Next Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday

Bishop Paul McAleenan, the Lead Bishop for Racial Justice, says in the following message: "It's not enough to simply denounce racism. This is a time to act. In the words of Pope Francis: 'God asks us to dare to create something new.'”
 
Ethnic minorities have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating a systemic problem with racial injustice in our society. This was dramatically brought home with the brutal killing of George Floyd and the reaction it provoked. As Pope Francis reflects: “instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think.” These shameful reminders of racism demand meaningful action to confront and dismantle sinful structures of injustice. Our brother Bishops in the USA remind us that: “all of us are in need of personal, ongoing conversion. Our churches and our civic and social institutions are in need of ongoing reform. If racism is confronted by addressing its causes and the injustice it produces, then healing can occur.” Racism is a sin and a violation of human dignity in which we are all complicit. As Catholics we need to acknowledge and confront our own failings, as individuals and as a Church. Every single one of our parishes, schools and organisations has a responsibility to actively practise anti-racism in all aspects of our mission. We need to address the lack of visible diversity at every level, so that people can see themselves, their race, their culture and their history in the Church’s life. We need to engage suppliers and businesses from all parts of the community, seeking out those which promote diversity and inclusivity. Most importantly we need to actively invite people from different ethnic communities to share their experiences and genuinely listen to their voices, however challenging this may be. It is not enough to simply denounce racism. This is a time to act. In the words of the Holy Father: “This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities — what we value, what we want, what we seek — and to commit to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of. God asks us to dare to create something new.”

Next Sunday

Who is Jesus? The question at the heart of Mark’s Gospel comes out starkly in this Sunday’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:27-28). Jesus is recognised as the Son of God by demons as he heals a possessed man in the synagogue, an action that sets him on a collision-course of conflict with the Jewish authorities - but which also reveals that his earthly ministry has a purpose and an effect that reaches far beyond this life. You can read Scott Hahn's reflections on the Sunday Readings here. You can register to watch our Diocesan Wednesday Webinar here, or join us via Facebook live. If you can’t join us, you can subscribe to the podcast here.

Thought for the Week
“The Second Vatican Council insisted that “there can be no ecumenism worthy of the name without a change of heart” (UR §7). An appropriately humble attitude enables Catholics to appreciate “what God is bringing about in the members of other Churches and Ecclesial Communities” (UUS §48), which in turn opens the way for us to learn and receive gifts from these brothers and sisters. Humility is again necessary when, through encounter with other Christians, truth comes to light “which might require a review of assertions and attitudes” (UUS §36)” (PCPCU The Bishop and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical Vademecum 11).
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Message to the Sick

The Holy Father has just issued his Message to the Sick for 2021, which traditionally is dated 11th February, the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Click on the picture to read it. In this Message, he stresses the need for a path of healing grounded in a trusting and interpersonal relationship between the sick and those who care for them. The annual day “is an opportunity to devote special attention to the sick and to those who provide them with assistance and care both in healthcare institutions and within families and communities.” The Pope expresses his spiritual closeness and the Church’s loving concern for those suffering the coronavirus pandemic, especially the poor and the marginalized. Sickness, he notes, makes us realise our own vulnerability and our innate need of others. It raises the question of life’s meaning, which we bring before God in faith, in order to seek a new and deeper direction in our lives. More, for a therapy to be effective, he points out, “it must be relational, as it enables a holistic approach to the patient." This path of healing grounded in a trusting interpersonal relationship can help doctors, nurses, professionals and volunteers in caring for the sick. This relationship between the sick and carers, based on mutual trust and respect, openness and availability, he says, will help to overcome defensive attitudes, respect the dignity of the sick, safeguard the professionalism of healthcare workers and foster a good relationship with the families of patients.
COVID-safe Ash Wednesday
Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued last week an instruction on the administration of ashes on Ash Wednesday this year, 2021. Because of the COVID pandemic, when distributing ashes, priests are to sprinkle the ashes on the top of people's heads rather than using them to make a cross on people's foreheads. Ash Wednesday this year falls on 17th February. The Congregation's note directs priests to say the prayer for blessing the ashes and then to sprinkle the ashes with holy water. The priest should then address all those present and say once only the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to everyone in the congregation, either: 'Repent and believe in the Gospel' or 'Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.' The priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those coming forward. "The priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything." The usual practice would be to repeat the formula ("Repent and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return") over each person as the ashes are placed onto their forehead. Sprinkling ashes on the top of people's heads was the practice used in Old Testament times to express sorrow for sin (e.g. 2 Sam 13: 19). It has also hitherto been the customary practice at the Vatican and in Italy, instead of marking a person’s forehead with ashes. Given the spread of the coronavirus, the practice proposed for this year has the advantage of not requiring the priest to touch multiple people.
Holocaust Memorial Day

Monsignor Vincent Harvey shares some ideas for commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day this Wednesday, 27th January...

The UK Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) will be streamed live for the first time at 7pm on Wednesday 27th January. If you wish to join the ceremony online, you need to register in advance here.

After the ceremony, get ready to Light the Darkness with us. We are asking households across the UK to light a candle and put it in their window at 8pm (if you are able to do so safely) to: 
•    remember those who were murdered for who they were
•    stand against prejudice and hatred today.

Tea with Mary - this Saturday at 5 pm

The Marian Franciscans have launched a brand new "Tea with Mary" series on Lectio Divina, during this extended Year of the Word. "Tea with Mary" is a live-show broadcast by the friars every Saturday at 5.00pm, on Radio Immaculata YouTube Channel and Facebook Page. It is an hour-long catechesis, with listeners at home contributing to the show by sending in their questions or comments. Each week we focus on a different Marian topic. The idea came about during the first lock-down as people had more time to step back from daily duties and the business of life. An element that adds more to the show is a cup of tea - at the right teatime - that the friars and listeners enjoy as talking and learning more. Join them at 5pm on Saturday 30th January for "Tea with Mary" featuring Lectio divina on Mark 1:29-2:12. The aim of this new series is not only to help people learn how to do Lectio divina, but to do it together. Meanwhile one has the opportunity, during the second half, to ask questions on that particular Scriptural passage, chosen each week, as well as on the Gospel as such.  The icon of "Tea with Mary" on Lectio divina can be indeed Our Lady at the Annunciation, when She 'heard' the Word, 'obeyed' it with Her faith, and eventually 'made' it Her own flesh and blood. Join us for a cuppa and invite your friends!
 
You can watch last week's episode by clicking on the image.

Inviting you to a Diocesan Evangelisation Meeting

Fr Mark Hogan, Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation, and the Responding to the Prompt working group invite all members of the Diocese to a Zoom meeting on Saturday 6th February from 10am to 1pm to discuss how we have responded – or how we might respond - in practical ways, to the Great Commission (Mt 28:19)...

Sometimes we might meet a friend, neighbour, or even someone at the supermarket checkout and wonder if there is opportunity to mention Jesus, prayer or the immensity of God’s Love.  Too often we need a little more confidence to take that prompt of the Holy Spirit. And in our prayer, sometimes it’s too busy; could we listen more to hear the prompt of the Holy Spirit?  This online event is an opportunity to inspire and give time for people from across the Diocese to hear from others about how we, as Church, in Portsmouth have responded – or how we might respond-- in practical ways, to the Great Commission (Mt 28: 19).  We cannot make it to a mountain in Galilee or possibly even to our local church, but we can gather on Zoom for a couple of hours, to be inspired and supported in our mission. Click here to register for inspiration! Please talk to friends about this – and please register to receive the Zoom link. Thanks to the working group who have made this possible.

Read more...
First Holy Communion – a Discussion

Sr. Catherine OP, Leader of the Sacramental Preparation for Children group of the Formation for Mission Team invites all First Holy Communion Catechists to an online discussion...

On Wednesday 3rd February and Wednesday 3rd March from 7:30pm to 8:30pm, join Sr. Catherine OP for an opportunity for catechists to discuss and share ideas about preparation of children for First Holy Communion within parishes during the current covid19 restrictions and uncertainties. Many catechists have expressed concerns about how they should work with the children in their parishes   Maybe we can support one another. If you wish to join the discussion please click here to register for either date.

Learning the Art of Accompaniment

“The Church will have to initiate everyone into the “art of Accompaniment” which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of another.” (Pope Francis). Clare Simpson, Leader of our Pre-Discipleship Team shares news of an exciting opportunity...

Many of us long for our friends and family to have faith but we don’t know how to start a conversation and often there is a culture of silence around talking about God.  Some of them won’t have any trust of God or the Church, but are searching for meaning of their lives.  How can we listen, understand and accompany them according to where they are?   We would like to offer the Ananias training to any parishioner who wants to grow closer to Jesus and share Him with others.  The Ananias training was developed by the Catherine of Siena Institute, complementing Called and Gifted, and is named after the disciple who played an important role in accompanying St. Paul.  The training encourages parishioners to recognise and be able to talk about their own relationship with Jesus, and also how to walk alongside friends and families, listening to what matters to them and responding appropriately.  We will offer five weekly sessions in small groups on Zoom from the last week in February, and parishioners can choose between Tuesday evening or Thursday evening (We may also offer Thursday afternoon and Friday morning dependant on numbers). To find out more, please email Clare at csimpson@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Do you like to sing?

Lois Houston invites people who love to sing and who love classical music to join Portsmouth Choral Union on Zoom for a weekly sing...
 
Are you looking for a friendly group to share your love of singing? Ever thought about joining Portsmouth Choral Union? If the answer is yes, then read on!
 
If you have some experience of singing in a group and reading music, then you are welcome - even during lockdown. At the moment we meet via 'Zoom' video link each Tuesday evening at 7:30pm for about 1 hour or so. No need to worry about other people hearing you, as singers are muted during the sessions! The evening includes a fun vocal warm-up; a chance to enjoy singing well known classical music repertoire works e.g., Verdi Requiem, and even some time to work on identifying and pitching musical intervals, finding notes in chords and other elements of music to help with sight reading. Feeling daunted? Relax, the PCU registrar is here to help. She is happy to answer all your questions and ensure you feel very welcome: PCURegistrar@gmail.com

Set Free Summit for Young Adults

Stefan Kaminski, Director of The Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst invites you to explore some of their forthcoming opportunities...

The “Set Free Summit”, offered by ICPE Mission in partnership with the CHC, is an online series of sessions for young adults (18-30 years old), on human sexuality and relationships. It is led by a number of exciting speakers from around the world, building on St John Paul II’s beautiful writings. It takes place (online) on the six Sundays from 7th February to 14th March, from 4:00-5:30pm. Each session involves a talk, sharing in small groups and a general Q&A. For info and registration see here.

Our new Christian Leadership Formation programme, offered in partnership with St Mary’s University, Twickenham and the Catholic Union of Great Britain, is now open to applications. The programme is offered to students in Lower Sixth who are committed to their faith and aspiring to some form of public life. Students will require the support of their schools and religious minister in applying. For info and application forms see here.

The Drama Displayed series of online talks continues with the next talk, ‘The Naked Truth’ by Dr David Torevell, on Thursday 28th January at 7:30pm. The series offers theological reflections on the key moments of salvation, supported by a study of various great works of art. For info and registration see here.

A recording of the previous talk, “In the Beginning” by Stefan Kaminski, is available here.

National Justice and Peace Network Conference

This is advance notice – save the date! The next annual conference of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) will be held at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire 23rd - 25th July 2021. Yes, it’s a bit of a leap of faith in the context of the pandemic, but the planning group feels that the issues of the conference should not be postponed for another year. The theme is: ‘2021: Life on Earth - moment of truth’ is the theme. As climate change, the biodiversity crisis and Covid-19 make clear, ecological conversion is becoming a matter of life and death. Decisions to be made this year at the November COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, and in the context of recovery from the pandemic, are critical for salvaging a viable future. This is a year of opportunity. At NJPN’s Justice and Peace Conference in July, we will take inspiration from the encyclicals Laudato Si and Fratelli Tutti and secular thinking on integral ecology. We will seize this moment of grace to look at changes and choices now confronting us. Why not join us? Be inspired for transformative ecological conversion for yourself and for our communities, nation and world; update our shared Christian witness in light of the climate and ecological emergency and Covid-19; reimagine the justice and peace movement and our Church to meet the challenges ahead.

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Called and Gifted – Now Online!

The Called and Gifted Team is very pleased to announce that the Called and Gifted discernment process is now available ONLINE. With the support of Bishop Philip and the Catherine of Siena Institute in the US, the team has created a new C&G website with links to both the Diocesan website and the Institute's high quality teaching videos. The new website not only explains the benefits of discerning your spiritual gifts (charisms) it also includes personal testimonies for each charism and an easy-to-use booking process that enables participants to purchase access to the videos (stage 1), book their online personal discernment conversation (stage 2) and book a place on a small discernment group (stage 3). See the new website here.  The website can also be accessed via the C&G pages of the Diocesan website. Gerry Penfold, Called and Gifted Team Leader said "This is a very exciting development for everyone involved. Launching C&G Online not only enables the mission of Called and Gifted to continue despite the pandemic, it also means we can offer the C&G discernment process to individuals, groups and parishes across the UK. We were already receiving a growing number of requests from people outside the diocese and we now have a great new way to respond to enquiries from both within and outside the diocese." He went on to say "We are enormously grateful for the support we have had from Bishop Philip, Katherine Coolidge and her team at the Catherine of Siena Institute, diocesan staff including Chris Smith and Clare Shore and not least to Dan Kent from Sacred Heart parish, Hook for designing and building the website. We prayed and reflected a lot to discern the right way forward and we've felt the Holy Spirit guiding us and clearing the obstacles at every stage along the way!" In addition to the website, a Called and Gifted Facebook page has been created which can be accessed via the link on the website. Please like and follow us on Facebook for the latest news, videos and testimonies. For more information or if you'd like to discuss what Called and Gifted could mean for you, please contact one of the C&G Core Team:
Gerry Penfold - gpenfold@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Anne-Marie Fletcher - amfletcher@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
Geoff and Gina Poulter - gpoulter@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Online Safeguarding Alert

Ruth Attfield, our Diocesan Safeguarding Co-ordinator draws our attention to an online Safeguarding concern regarding the popular computer game Avakin Life...

The INEQE Safeguarding Group have brought to our attention that their online safeguarding experts have reviewed and tested the computer game Avakin Life and discovered a number of potential risks to young people. The major risk is that users can easily access children and young people online via private and public chats.

2 million people currently use the platform, with half a million using it every day. Once a user has kitted out their character, they can embark on ‘endless adventures’ in what the company says is ‘a world with no limits’...

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The Forty Martyrs: St Henry Morse 

Next Monday, 1st February, the Church celebrates another of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, the Jesuit St Henry Morse. Here, Dr Dudley Plunkett, former Senior Tutor at the Maryvale Institute and parishioner of the Immaculate Conception, Southampton, offers us the latest instalment in his series offering a brief biography of one of these holy men and women around their feast-day.

Henry Morse (1595-1645) was born in Suffolk and followed an adventurous career as a Catholic priest during the reign of Charles I and the Cromwellian revolution. Converted in his teenage years, he began studies for the priesthood at Douai at the age of 19. He returned to England but was arrested and imprisoned for four years and then banished as part of an amnesty granted to a hundred priests by King James I in 1618. He continued his studies at the English College in Rome, was ordained and returned once more to England in 1624 where, after ministering in Northumberland for two years, he was again arrested and imprisoned for three more years before being banished in perpetuity. However, in 1633 Henry returned to England and was assigned to work in central London. During the plague in 1635 he laboured hard among victims and then caught the plague himself, but recovered. He was denounced as a priest and brought to trial and imprisoned at Newgate in 1636. Thereafter, released from prison through the intervention of the king, but banished, he worked as a military chaplain in Flanders, but later ministered to recusants in various parts of England, and was finally arrested and condemned to death on the strength of his 1636 conviction. He was executed at Tyburn on 1 February 1645 by being hanged, drawn and quartered. When he revealed that he had a secret to declare, the crowd grew silent, and he said, ‘Gentlemen, take notice, the kingdom of England will never be truly blessed until it returns to the Catholic and apostolic faith… This is the secret, Sir, if you will have it; this is the treason that I have to disclose’. St Henry Morse, pray for us.

What does the ‘Oeconomus’ do?

We continue looking at some of the administrative structures and bodies of our Diocese established by the Church’s Canon Law and by the Diocesan Operating Procedures. We’ve looked at Parish Finance Committees, Trustees and Parish Councils. This week, we give thanks for our Oeconomus – and ask: What does an Oeconomus do?
 
An Œconomus is someone charged with the care of a house, an administrator. In Canon Law this term designates the individual who is appointed by the Bishop to take charge of the temporal goods of the Diocese. (The term is used also of a person in charge of the property of a monastery). This office originated in the Eastern and dates back to the fourth century: a law of Honorius and Arcadius in 398 speaks of it as if it were then widespread (Cod. Theodos., IX, tit. 45, lex. 3). The Council opf Chalcedon in ordered that an Oeconomous be appointed in every diocese to take charge of ecclesiastical property under episcopal authority (Canon xxvi in Mansi, VII, 367).
 
The Oeconomus is the Finance Officer and we can read all about their role in Canon 494 of the Code of Canon Law...

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From the Friends of the Holy Land

Brendan Metcalfe, Executive Director of Friends of the Holy Land  introduces Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land, a unique spiritual prayer resource with 15 contributors from the Holy Land drawn from across the main Christian denominations including HB Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa...

This book grew out of a series of 15 poems written by Fr Richard Nesbitt, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima in London, during the trials of Holy Week 2020 when we were in total lockdown. The poems walk in the footsteps of Jesus from the raising of Lazarus, through Holy Week right up to the appearance of the Risen Christ to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. These 15 poems are paired with 15 voices from modern-day Christians living in the Holy Land at this time of the coronavirus pandemic, so as to create a unique reflection on the ways in which Christ’s living presence has been experienced in these two times of extreme crisis two millennia apart...

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Lighting up Netley

Fr Ross Bullock, Parish Priest of Netley shares news of the Annunication parish's recent contribution to lighting up the village...

The parish of the Annunciation, Netley, recently took part in the Light Up Netley competition and won second place. In pre-covid times the Light Up Netley event was a bit like a Christmas Carnival in the village with a lantern procession and a Christmas market. This was cancelled due to the Covid restrictions so instead the organisers came up with the idea of a Christmas light competition for the best decorated homes and buildings in the village. As a result, the village of Netley was beautifully lit up and cheered the soul in the absence of the usual market, carol singing and fun. Our wonderful parishioners from the Annunciation Church were up for the challenge and beautifully decorated the outside of the church and the interior of it too. The judges of the competition were delighted and awarded us second place. Let us hope and pray that this coming Christmas all will be back to normal, whatever normal is?

Park Gate SVP think outside the box

Gaye Perry, SVP Conference Secretary at St Margaret Mary parish in Park Gate, Southampton shares news of a campaign with a difference. She writes...

In a year like no other we have all had to think creatively when organizing activities and events and the SVP Christmas Hamper Campaign 2020 at St Margaret Mary, Park Gate was no exception.
 
The Christmas Hamper Campaign has been running at St Margaret Mary for several years, growing in size year on year.  In the normal way a request for donations goes out to the parish in November and groceries are collected and purchased over a period of several weeks and stored in the parish hall along with an assortment of cardboard boxes and wrapping paper, gathered along the way.  The campaign culminates with a large team of willing and merry volunteers working together in the parish hall in a convivial hands-on evening of sorting, wrapping and packing...

Read more...
CAFOD's New Campaign

Jo Lewry invites you to join CAFOD’s new campaign Reclaim our Common Home by signing our Petition to the Prime Minister...

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour.” Ask yourself this question: ‘if two are better than one, how can we come together to make a positive impact on the world?’ Reclaim Our Common Home is CAFOD's new campaign is a response to Pope Francis’s call for a new way of thinking about the world, and to take an active part in renewing our troubled societies by embracing the universal values of solidarity and fraternity. Sign our petition to the Prime Minister.

In 2020, we experienced the worst global health crisis in a century. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated lives and shattered families in Britain and across the world, with disastrous consequences for people’s jobs and livelihoods. The pandemic exposed many of the inadequacies of how our world currently works. It has proved that we need greater cooperation between nations, solidarity between people and a greater focus on the poorest in society. As Catholics, we are called not to stay silent and not to be passive. This is why Reclaim Our Common Home is a call to action! It is a call to participate both individually and collectively in rebuilding a more dignified and sustainable world after the pandemic. Click here to find out more.

If you would like to receive regular updates about CAFOD’s campaigns, appeals and other ways you can support CAFOD’s work, click here.

Bishop Pat O’Donoghue RIP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue, 86, who died this last weekend. Bishop Pat was at one time an auxiliary bishop in Westminster and then the Bishop of Lancaster. He retired in May 2009 and left the Diocese to reside in his native County Cork, Ireland. He was born in Co Cork in 1934, the middle of five children. He came to Britain in 1959 for seminary training, first at Campion House, Osterley, Middlesex, then from 1961-67 at Allen Hall seminary. He was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Westminster on 25th May 1967. As a newly ordained priest, Fr O’Donoghue worked first in Our Lady of Willesden from 1967-70 and was then on the Diocesan Pastoral Mission Team from 1970-73. From 1973-77 he became Pastoral Director at Allen Hall. From 1977-78 he was with the team ministry at St Thomas of Canterbury, Fulham before becoming Sub-Administrator of Westminster Cathedral In 1985, he was appointed the Rector of Allen Hall, before in 1990 returning to the Cathedral as its Administrator. In 1993, he was ordained Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Westminster by Cardinal Basil Hume. In 2001, Pope John Paul II asked him to become the fifth Bishop of Lancaster at a special Mass in St Peter’s Cathedral, Lancaster. He retired as Diocesan Bishop on 1 May 2009 and left the Diocese to reside in his native County Cork, Ireland. There, he was appointed, at his own request, Assistant Priest of the Parish of Bantry, where he ministered with two other priests. In August 2012 he moved from Bantry and was appointed for a brief time as Assistant Priest to Ballincollig Parish in Cork City. Since April 2013, he was resident at Nazareth House, Mallow. May he rest in peace.

And finally...Where is this?

How well do you know our diocese? In this new feature we share photos from churches around the Diocese of Portsmouth. Your challenge is to tell us where they can be found... 

We hope you will enjoy our new challenge of not who, but, where is this? Each week we hope to share a feature from a church within our diocese, especially if it has an interesting story behind it. As we celebrate the Year of St Joseph, we feature another statue of St Joseph somewhere in our diocese, but "where is this?" Just
 e-mail your answer to Deacon Craig by Friday for a mention in the next issue.

Last week's image was the church of St Joseph in Copnor, Portsmouth. The church is part of Portsmouth Corpus Christi and St Joseph parish, served by Fr Emmanuel Rinda. St Joseph's is also used by the Marian Franciscans, who have their House of Formation for their Novices in St Joseph's Presbytery.  Congratulations to Canon Gerard Flynn, Frances Joyce, Claire Partridge, Jane Hewitt, Sue Mulcahy and Angela Waldren  who correctly identified it.

Could an interesting feature from your church be the focus in a future issue? Please send in interesting photos from your parish for use in future weeks along with a few lines about the feature for the "reveal" the following week. Thanks, Ed.

Diocesan Prayer Intentions

Each day of the year the liturgical calendar gives us a variety of seasons and celebrations of saints. These are outlined in the Diocesan Ordo along with a daily prayer for a diocesan intention. I would like to encourage you to add these intentions to your daily prayers. You can find the daily intentions for January here and February here.

Please pray for...

Please pray for the Renewal of our Diocese and for these intentions.  

Click here if you have a prayer intention you would like our Diocesan Intercessory Prayer Team to pray for.

Click here if you have a prayer intention you would like the Sisters at the Adoremus Centre in Alderney (our Powerhouse of Prayer) to pray for.

Donate to the Diocese of Portsmouth

Job Opportunities

Parish Secretary: Didcot and Wallingford
 
A vacancy has arisen for the post of Administrative Secretary, working for Fr Phillip Harris, Parish Priest at the Roman Catholic churches of English Martyrs, Didcot and St John the Evangelist, Wallingford.  The successful applicant will be located at the Parish Office in the Presbytery at Didcot.

Hours of work: 16 hours a week, to be worked mornings Tuesday - Friday
Salary:  £12 per hour
Commencement Date: Immediate

Experience and Qualifications required for the role:
  • Experienced Administrator with excellent secretarial skills, time management and prioritisation skills
  • Computer literate, skilled in word processing, desktop publishing (newsletter), spreadsheets, use of the internet and some experience of database management.
  • Some experience in book-keeping and accounts desirable
  • Experience of website management (training will be given)
Personal Attributes:
  • Sympathetic to the Ministry and Mission of the Catholic Church
  • Self motivated and flexible, with ability and confidence to work on own initiative and using own judgement without supervision, able to cope with change and work under pressure and some lone working.
  • Diplomatic, discreet with a sympathetic nature and emotional resilience.
For more details and how to apply see here.

Closing date for applications: Friday 5th February 2021  

Please return applications to: Fr Phillip Harris,
English Martyrs Church, 15 Manor Crescent, Didcot OX11 7AJ.
Telephone 01235 812338  email: didcot@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk
 
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Parish Secretary: St John the Baptist, Andover 

A vacancy has arisen for a Parish Secretary at St John the Baptist parish, Andover to work 22 hours per week to be accountable for the smooth organisation of the parish and provide full confidential administrative and secretarial support to the parish priest.
 
Hours of work: 
22 hours per week (days and times to be agreed).

Experience and Qualifications required for role:
• An experienced administrator with excellent secretarial, interpersonal, time management and prioritisation skills.
• Computer literature, skilled in word-processing, spreadsheets and data management as well as excellent internet and all-round office skills.
• Excellent communication skills to promote effective interaction between clergy, area administrators and parishioners as well as managing the day-to-day management of the Parish halls.
• Knowledge of parish and diocesan organisation structure (desirable).

Personal attributes:
• Self-motivated with the ability to work without supervision: taking initiative and using judgement; able to work under pressure, cope with change and deal with conflicting demands and differing personalities.
•  Diplomatic, discreet with a sympathetic nature and emotional resilience
•  Sympathetic to the Ministry and Mission of the Catholic Church.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 28th February 
Interview date: Friday 5th March 
 
Application forms and Job Description are available from the Parish Office: 
Telephone: 01264 352829
or email: stjtb@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

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Opportunities in our Diocesan schools can be found here.

Share your Good News...

We like to share news of what's happening across the diocese and try to include a broad range of news and reflective articles, but please note:
  • The Editorial Team reserve the right not to use submitted copy. Publication of submitted articles is not guaranteed. 
  • Publication does not necessarily reflect the views of either the Editor nor of the Bishop.
  • The Editorial Team reserve the right to edit any articles prior to publication.
  • Due to space, articles may not be published immediately and may be held in reserve for future use.
Please e-mail all news items and forthcoming events to Deacon Craig Aburn: executiveassistant@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk by Friday for consideration for the following week's issue.

Please send news as plain text and images as attachments rather than embedded in a document. Thank you.
With all good wishes and an assurance of my prayers, 

In Corde Iesu

Bishop of Portsmouth
The next issue of e-News will be on
Tuesday 2nd February.
Deadline for submission of items for consideration is
Friday 29th January.
Please click here to send an item for consideration.
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