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There came migrants from the East
Today's we recall the visit of the Magi to the Christchild. God's love is not just for 'people like us'. The Kingdom opens to people from all races and faiths - and indeed all Creation. Defences are breached. Exclusions are overruled. Privilege dissolves. The Epiphany should never lose its ability to disconcert.
At such moments, there is always the risk of trouble. For Herod, the infant Jesus was a threat to national security, and (more likely) to his own career. Having been unwittingly tipped off about the new-born king, he wanted to find out where to dispatch a hit squad. The Magi were not to know that their attempt to thwart him would unleash a massacre which forced Jesus and his family to flee to Egypt as refugees. That had not been in the stars.
The consequences of an epiphany can be tragic or blessed - the choice is ours. We can choose to add a layer of violence to our defences and exclusions. Or we can take up Pope Francis' invitation in Fratelli Tutti, to grow 'a heart open to the world' and defy the culture of uncare with kindness. This Epiphany let's choose the way of blessing.
-- Paul
Caritas Diocese of Nottingham
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Refugee, by Malcolm Guite
We think of him as safe beneath the steeple,
Or cosy in a crib beside the font,
But he is with a million displaced people
On the long road of weariness and want.
For even as we sing our final carol
His family is up and on that road,
Fleeing the wrath of someone else's quarrel,
Glancing behind and shouldering their load.
Whilst Herod rages still from his dark tower
Christ clings to Mary, fingers tightly curled,
The lambs are slaughtered by the men of power,
And death squads spread their curse across the world.
But every Herod dies, and comes alone
To stand before the Lamb upon the throne.
Read by request of King Charles at the 'Royal Carols' service, Westminster Abbey, 15 December 2022. Image: Loren Biser
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Please feel free to forward this email to fellow parishioners,
or include content in your parish bulletin.
Sign up to receive Grapevine direct to your inbox: click here
In this issue:
- Open hearts: becoming a hospitable Church for a hostile environment
- Warmer Welcome workshop - 10 January on Zoom
- Dr Anna Rowlands on Catholic social teaching - 18 January on Zoom
- Lay pastoral leadership training - tell us what you need
- Peace Sunday: sing your heart out
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Warmer Welcome Workshop
Book now for 10 January
Caritas hosts a regular online get-together on Zoom for anyone offering parish-based hospitality and outreach in the cost-of-living crisis. At the last count there were 25 such places of hospitality around the diocese. Lasting up to 90 minutes, the next three get-togethers are on:
- Tuesday 10 January at 4.00 p.m. (note the earlier start)
- Monday 13 February at 7.00 p.m.
- Tuesday 14 March at 7.00 p.m.
Click below to sign up to any of these workshops. A Zoom link will be sent to you a day or so prior to the meeting you have booked for.
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Lay pastoral leadership training
What would you find helpful?
Don't forget to complete our survey so that we can develop the support you need.
With lay people being called to take greater responsibility for mission and pastoral care, what formation do you feel is needed? In last month's Grapevine we asked what would help you grow in skill, confidence and leadership for outreach.
We can't do this without you, and have created a questionnaire to gather your views, so that we can make a funding application based on the evidence. May we urge you to take a few minutes to answer the questionnaire?
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Open hearts
Becoming a hospitable Church for a hostile environment
Tuesday, 28 February at 7.00 p.m.
As UK policy towards asylum seekers and migrants becomes ever more hostile, it is time to ask 'What can we do in the Diocese of Nottingham?'.
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Open hearts
Becoming a hospitable Church for a hostile environment
Last year the Bishops of England and Wales condemned the UK's new Nationality and Borders Act for failing to 'treat asylum seekers justly and honour their dignity as human persons'. The recent scheme to send some to Rwanda - and leave them there even if granted asylum - is inflicting incalculable distress on already traumatised people. Now the government has announced plans to criminalise those who arrive by any means other than the few official 'safe routes', in a move the Jesuit Refugee Service describes as 'performative cruelty'. Claiming asylum is not illegal.
In fact some of our parishioners are already responding - maybe you are one of them? In many parishes in our diocese now at least one hotel is being used to house asylum seekers, with five such hotels reported to be in one Lincolnshire parish alone. Here's a story of how the good folk of one parish responded. We are not revealing its whereabouts out of respect for those who were recently moved there.
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In November Catholics in one parish in Nottingham diocese rallied round when they heard that 45 asylum seekers had been allocated to a local hotel. They had been hastily moved there when the notoriously-overcrowded Manston processing centre in Kent was judged by inspectors to be unfit for habitation. Local councils and health services had not even been notified when rumours of the influx started on social media. A parliamentary question from the local MP revealed that the Home Office had previously ruled the hotel in question a fire risk, making it a tempting far-right terrorist target. Thankfully it has since been upgraded by new owners. A parishioner has written to us this week:
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"The Asylum Seekers had been provided with two sets of tracksuits and flip flops. This was all the clothes most of them had, but made them stand out in our town. We presented ourselves as members of our local Catholic Church but also wore our Street Pastors uniforms. These we felt facilitated our entry into the hotel and the trust of the Asylum Seekers.
"We asked what we could do to help. They asked for clothes, especially underwear, shoes and coats. We then shared their needs with the local churches using our Churches Together network, as well as our own. A lead group, of which we are a part, was then set up to disseminate information to our local churches, Town Council, community leaders and our MP’s office. It was important that accurate information was shared to counter local rumours and misunderstandings!
"They are now fully clothed and other concerns are now being addressed, for instance with health, boredom and education. They have accepted our church’s invitation to our Home from Home days [the parish's 'warm hub'] and a social evening. Other churches have also extended welcome to their services. We tried to make Christmas special by providing a tree, lights and presents. English lessons will start next week!!"
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The Epiphany is a time to remember all who migrate, whether voluntarily for work or as refugees from violence. At least one of the Magi is thought to have come from modern-day Iran, Syria or Afghanistan. With Eritrea, these are the nationalities which today account for most of those crossing the Channel in small boats.
Today's travellers to the UK follow a different star, and immigration control is a necessity. But the culture of uncare that surrounds immigration in the UK is a choice. It is a half-truth to claim, as the government does, that the criminal gangs operating Channel crossings are to blame for deaths in the Channel. Their business model is made all the more lucrative by a policy of callous disregard towards those fleeing the world's bloodiest theatres of oppression. It's basic physics: clamping down on the supply of crossings will only make the pressure build.
There are many ways in which your parish can respond to the needs of those who come to our shores. Here are some possibilities:
- Invite people from overseas to 'warm hubs' and drop-ins in our parishes
- Host English conversation sessions to aid integration and language-learning
- Write to our MPs, and perhaps meet them to express your concern
- Help to develop a Community Sponsorship scheme in your neighbourhood
- Develop a partnership between your parish and a local refugee support charity
In Caritas we would like to bring people together who wish to support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Whether you are experienced in volunteering with refugees, a migrant yourself, or are new to the cause, join us on 28 February.
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Open Hearts
Becoming a hospitable Church for a hostile environment
Tuesday, 28 February at 7.00 p.m.
An informal online conversation to explore how we can support those fleeing violence and destitution, or settling in our diocese for a better life.
Meet others who want to help those seeking asylum recover their human dignity. Explore the potential of a network for advocacy and practical service to those who are arriving in our diocese from overseas. We'll seek out solutions for action, whether as individuals, as parishes or as a diocese.
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15 January 2023 is Peace Sunday
Pope Francis says:
Brothers and sisters, let us look within and ask our-selves: are we peacemakers? In the places where we live, study and work, do we bring tension, words that hurt, chatter that poisons, controversy that divides? Or do we open up the way to peace, forgiving those who have offended us; do we care for those who are at the margins, do we redress some injustice by helping those who have less? This is called building peace.
Angelus, Feast of All Saints, November 2022
The Holy See continues steadfastly to maintain that in the twenty-first century nuclear arms are an inadequate and inappropriate means of responding to security threats, and that possession of them is immoral. Their production diverts resources from integral human development and their employment not only has catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences, but also threatens the very existence of humanity.
To members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, January 2022
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Catholics in Glossop invite you to two events on Peace Sunday
in support of Pax Christi
Sing For Peace!
A Singing workshop for all abilities – no need to read music
3.00 - 5.00 p.m.: doors open 2.45 p.m. for a prompt start
Venue: St Mary's Church Hall, St Mary’s Road, Glossop, SK13 8DN
Refreshments provided.
Pray for Peace!
The workshop will be followed by a short service, including prayers for peace and some of the songs learned in the afternoon.
5.15 - 5. 45 p.m., St Mary's Crowned church, Sumner Street, Glossop, SK13 8DP
No need to book for either event - just turn up on the day.
Email pax@glossopcatholics.org.uk if you have any queries.
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Join us for
"Towards a politics of communion"
with Dr Anna Rowlands
Wednesday 18 January at 7.00 on Zoom
Anna Rowlands is one of the most articulate and engaging experts on Catholic social teaching in Britain today. She is St Hilda Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice at the University of Durham, and this talk takes the theme of her recent book of the same title.
We're delighted to be moderating this online event with Joy in Enough, Green Christian's project which seeks to build a truly just and sustainable economy. It will make an ideal taster for anyone who wants to know about Catholic social teaching but was afraid to ask!
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