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BISHOP SAYS THANKS
HOLY CHILD ORDER CELEBRATES 150 YEARS IN BLACKPOOL
Over 400 people crowded into the Church of the Sacred Heart in Blackpool on Saturday, October 14th to join with Bisjop Patrick in celebrating a Mass of thanksgiving for the work the congregation had achieved in the town since its arrival there in 1846. At the end of the Mass, Bishop Patrick thanked all those generations of nuns for all the work they had done over those years, not just in Blackpool but also in Lancaster and Preston. (Read Sister Judith Lancaster's account here)
Three of the present-day community in Blackpool, Sisters Eileen Grimes, Maureen Grimley and Marie Richardson. Picture courtesy of the Blackpool Evening Gazette.
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RETURN OF THE NATIVE
Fr Peter Verity, ("Monsignor", in real life) is a native of this diocese, a native indeed of its cathedral city, Lancaster. Yet, as is often the way of things, he has spent a large part of his priestly life working outside the diocese, mostly in London, close to the wheels of power in Westminster. In 1994 he returned to the diocese first as Parish Priest at St. Joseph's, Cockermouth, and then in charge at the parish of St. Anthony in Preston. Last year he was off again and we wondered, now what?
All can now be revealed, though it was never really a secret. It turns out that he and Bishop Patrick had been putting their heads together. The result was some more extra mural activity for this wandering son
of Lancaster. It was agreed that Peter would spend time, largely at St. Beuno's in North Wales, studying, praying and generally preparing himself for a second coming to the diocese, this time to work on something called, "Spirituality in the Community".
This is not going to be easy because it is uncharted territory. Fr Verity believes that the task of reaching those outside the core groups in our parishes is so great that it can only be tackled by handing it over to God. "When Jesus wanted to feed the crowd, five loaves and two fish were all the disciples could offer and this was totally inadequate. When they admitted their efforts were hopeless ("What is that among so many?"), Jesus responded with something more abundant and wonderful than they could ever have imagined. I think that is where we are with regard to evangelisation. We need to offer our best, but realise how inadequate it is and then be open to whatever surprises God has to offer."
Read the full story here.
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UNDER ONE SKY: INTER-FAITH DAY AT ST.ANNES
Geoff Lynam
Something unusual, rare and rather wonderful happened at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Parish Centre on Saturday afternoon, 14th October. In celebration of One World Week, (one week early actually) St Annes' "Churches Together" group played host to a mixed gathering of faiths and cultures, "Under One Sky."
This was the first major event of the Justice and Peace Section of the CTSA and they were glad to welcome representatives from Asia and the Middle East. Chairman of the group, Canon Aidan Turner did the welcoming. There were displays and stalls from India the home of Hinduism, Pakistan for Islam and members of the B'Hai faith shared with us their Golden Rule. Regional entertainment was provided by a popular local Indian singer and tempting food was offered just as a taster from another culture. In these troubled times it was good to witness such a multicultural social occasion. It was a colourful and enjoyable afternoon. The sweets were delicious.
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