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There will be no January edition of The Voice. The February edition will be in parishes on Sunday January 28th. The deadline for the February edition is Friday, January 5th

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The Faith Schools debate
I write to thank the Catholic community for its strong support of Catholic schools during the current passage of the Education and Inspection Bill, particularly in relation to opposition to plans to introduce ‘quotas’ for non faith places in new Catholic schools.

I have been left in no doubt about the strength of feeling that was made apparent to parliamentarians and officials by parishioners, parents, teachers and others on this issue. It is in no small measure thanks to this action that we no longer have to face the prospect of such quotas. The Catholic community helped parliamentarians and officials to hear the cogency of our argument that the introduction of quotas was both unnecessary and that it would be undermining of cohesion.

I am grateful to Ministers and their officials for the discussions that we were able to have with them and their decision that an amendment on admissions would be unnecessary. We now look forward to continuing to work with our many partners in education to ensure that we all help to bring about community cohesion. We also hope to enable those who seek a place in new Catholic schools to look forward to obtaining such a place without diminishing the opportunity for Catholic pupils to attend those schools.
Oona Stannard
Chief Executive and Director: Catholic Education Service

Water for Africa (four years on)

Further to the last update report in February 2006 in 'The Voice' by which time I had returned to Zambia, with regard to the 'Water Supply Project' in the Chivuna Valley in a remote part of the Southern Province of Zambia. I am now able and pleased to report to all those wonderful people who had the confidence to support me either in prayer or financially that the Treated Water Supply System is operational and working exceptionally well. It is providing for the first time in this remote area, the basic human right of a clean, wholesome, life-saving, water supply. Some 25000 people who are registered with the Local Clinic (no Doctors in this remote area), now for the first time have access to this essential facility, some directly to their homes from the four kilometres of piped infrastructure now installed.

The system is self-financing and has been established as an autonomous Company with its own Bank Account, Supervising Management Committee and full time Operational Staff under the management of a Water Operations Manager. I am presently in the process of purchasing various essential spare parts for the system, these to be held in the event of emergency situations. Also, I am presently in the process of purchasing a diesel powered 160kVA Standby Generator Set, which I propose to install in 2007. This, to overcome the unreliability of the National Electrical Power Supplier.

Many, many thanks for your support with this essential project, without which I would have been unable to complete this vital work. May God bless you all, and thank you.
Henry Whiteside
Warton, Carnforth

Supporting Zambia
Following the visit of Bishop Emilio of Monze, a group of people in the Furness area are hoping to fund-raise for them in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The idea is to encourage people to donate money in the names of relatives and friends, instead of buying them presents. They would receive a special card instead, outlining the types of projects the donations would be helping (along the lines of the schemes some charities already run at Christmas). If any other people in the Diocese are interested, please contact me as given below.
Sue Black,
telephone 01229 839437,
e-mail: sue.black@btinternet.com

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008
The next World Youth Day Pilgrimage event will take place in July 2008, Sydney, Australia. Bishop Patrick extends an invitation to 18+ Young Adults to be part of our Diocesan Representation. Sean McMahon, Diocesan Youth Officer, is the person to contact.

‘SET ALL FREE’ CAMPAIGN
This campaign has been launched to mark 200 years since the abolition of the Slave Trade in this country. Our diocesan Faith & Justice Commission together with the Social Responsibility Forum and the local Whitehaven Churches have organised the following events as part of the campaign. The events will take place either in the Beacon Museum or the church of St Gregory & St Patrick’s Church which are next to each other on Quay Street, Whitehaven. ? Friday 8 June 2007 pm, Civic Hall Concert ? Saturday 9 June 2007 10.30am Ecumenical Service , St Begh’s ? Saturday 9 June 1.30-5.30pm Conference: Set All Free: Remember, Reflect and Respond to Slavery and Expolitation There will be various workshops on contempoary issues of slavery. Contact Fr Matthew Carney OSB on (01946 692342) or Margaret McSherry on (01524 383081).

PARISH DETAILS FOR ST. AUGUSTINE’S PRESTON
We have been asked to publish these parish details as follows:
St. Augustine of Canterbury, The Parish House, St. Austin's Place, Avenham, PRESTON, Lancashire, PR1 3YJ Parish Priest : Father Michael Murphy. Telephone : 01772 555547 Facsimile : 01772 882489 e-mail : staugustine@austinsplace.freeserve.co.uk Website : www.catholicpreston.com/staugustine