Once upon a time, a diocese was something we rarely thought about. When the Bishop came for Confirmation, or when a favourite priest was moved perhaps, but that was all. Times have changed. Increasingly the diocese is seen as a family unit, an enterprise in which we are all involved. What’s more, playing your part in the diocese can be really encouraging, even fun. These days we expect to be consulted, like to hear what others are up to, feel involved. “The Voice” likes to think it is playing its part. But as it only appears monthly, many really good things just never get reported. This is where “The Buzz” comes in.

Each week, usually late Wednesday or early Thursday, The Voice sends an emailed newsletter to all its contacts bringing them up to date with diocesan news. And diocesan news really does matter. It isn’t just gossip. It is the Faith being lived, the Gospel happening in the lives of real people. Look at some of the articles in this edition and see for yourself. We should hear about these things. We allow the secular world to talk us down too much. Christ is alive in our lives, and if we just talked about it among ourselves, our hearts would surely burn within us as once happened on the road to Emmaus. It’s early days, but the Buzz has started and will get places with your help. If you would like to be “BUZZED” once each week, just email The Voice (address on page 10) and say, “Buzz Me Please”. Parish Priests, don’t underestimate the power of the Gospel at work in your parish. Send us news of any sign of the Gospel at work. You could always ask someone else to do it for the parish.

This is what a typical BUZZ looks like when it shows up on your email. This is just part of a BUZZ that went out recently on the Feast of the Epiphany.

1. BOOK OF CONDOLENCE: (This from Fr Michael Doherty) A book of condolence has been opened at the Cathedral for the victims of the tsunami quake: It will be there throughout January.
2. CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BARROW: (Extracted from the Newsletter of St Columba’s parish, Walney Island) ‘AGAPE’ A SHARED MEAL. An evening of Worship, Prayer and Food, with guest speaker Fr Tom Singleton. 7:00pm on Friday 21st January at Saint Mary’s Parish Centre Walney. Tickets £2.50 each, please add your name to the list in the social area of church by 9th January.
3. FINANCE AND PROPERTY REVIEW: (From the Bishop’s Office) Some time ago Patrick commissioned several reviews; Justice & Peace, Education, and Finance & Property. The report of the Finance Review will be presented to the Trustees of the diocese on Tuesday, January 11th. That report will then be shared with the diocesan clergy at two separate meetings to be held at Our Lady & St Edward’s Preston on January 13th and at Holy Trinity & St.George Kendal, on January 24th. Later there will be a wider discussion with parish finance committees and others.
4. KENDAL GATHERINGS: (Extracted from the Newsletter of St Columba’s parish, Walney Island) Series of Eucharistic Seminars: In response to the Pope announcing a Year of the Eucharist, Holy Trinity & St. George of Kendal have organised a series of Eucharistic Seminars to be held in Kendal on the following dates: Friday 28th January – Rev’d Fr. Emmanuel Gribben, Friday 11th March – Rev’d Andrew Allman, Friday 15th April - Dr Philip Conner & Friday 27th May – Rev’d Fr. Luiz Ruscillo. The Seminars will be preceded by evening prayer and Exposition at 7pm. Day of Renewal: Led by Fr. Chris Thomas; “Moving in the Spirit”. On Saturday 22nd January, 10:00am to 4:00pm at The Salesian Convent, Brettargh Holt, near. Kendal. For more information contact Sr. Jan Lavery 015395 61322.
5. LOURDES: Bishop Patrick would like every parish to sponsor a sick person and a young person on the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Every year a number of sick pilgrims need to be helped by the Lourdes Sick Fund, it would be great if every parish held a fund raising event. Volunteers are needed to help with the pilgrimage, - priests, doctors, nurses, auxiliary carers, clerical workers
6. VOCATIONS. (From Fr Gribben): We have a small but committed group of young men preparing for priesthood. Four are at Ushaw, one will be ordained in July next year. There are also three students resident at our House of Formation in Cleator. Another is on a parish placement at Kendal and four are in the early stages of enquiry and discernment. [Fr. Gribben can be contacted on 01946 810324.]
7. XTRA: The following items are still available for next to nothing – come and collect at Holy Family Presbytery, Blackpool:

• Wooden Altar (circa 1978)
• Portable Baptismal Font – same vintage
• Back Numbers of Classical Music Magazines – Gramophone, BBC & CD Review (15 years)
• Top of the range Gestetner Duplicator
• Top of the range Scanner to accompany above