Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church

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Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth                          Pilot Issue

                                                      Mini
                                                  Vinnies
                                                   shine in
                                                    vibrant
                                                     parish           X Page 8

          Bringing people closer to Jesus Christ through His Church
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
SCAN PHOTO

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    TO SEE VIDEO

 Our vision is
 to deliver on
 four priorities
               AY I wish you all the joys
  M            and holiness of the
               Easter season. I would
                                               BY BISHOP
                                               Philip Egan
 first like to say how delighted we
 are to see such great love for Christ
 and his church being expressed in
 so many evangelising and
 missionary endeavours which are
 being undertaken throughout our                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Missionaries from America pictured
 Diocese at the moment.                        As you know, as the shepherd of                                                                                                                                                                                       on the University of Southampton
     In these pages we highlight the        the Diocese I wish to commit us all                                                                                                                                                                                      campus are, left to right, Anthony
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Thompson, Sarra Stanley, Kaitlin
 work of the Adoremus Centre which          to “Bringing People Closer to Jesus                                                                                                                                                                                      Gilday and Shea McMahon.
 is vital because the Holy Eucharist        Christ through his Church.”
 is the source and summit of                   My vision revolves around four
 everything that we do. This is an          priorities: mission to all, converting
 important project for the renewal of
 the church through prayer
 dedicated to the work of the New
                                            Catholics, being totally dependent
                                            on the Holy Spirit and being
                                            outward looking servants of the
                                                                                     SCAN PHOTO
                                                                                                                                                                 Pioneering team reach out to
 Evangelisation.
     Our ecclesiastical exchange with
 the Archdiocese of Bamenda is so
 important to us and we pray at this
                                            Lord. These four priorities lead to
                                            three areas of special attention:
                                            focusing on youth, promoting
                                            vocations and focusing on
                                                                                     TO SEE VIDEO
                                                                                                                                                                 students at university campus
 time especially for the peoples of         prioritising our resources.                                                                                                      OUR American missionaries have taken       outreach events, mission trips and fun. The
 Cameroon in the light of the current
 tensions in that country,
                                               The central endeavour of all of
                                            these hopes and aspirations is that
                                                                                     alongside this magazine, which will
                                                                                     bring pages to life when scanned
                                                                                                                            page, and if you scan the photo of
                                                                                                                            me above it will launch a video
                                                                                                                                                                  F          Southampton university students by
                                                                                                                                                                             storm, in a pioneering way of bringing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        effectiveness of their mission is entrenched in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        their approach to the notion of evangelisation
 remembering especially Archbishop          we seek deeper holiness through          with a mobile phone or tablet.         message.                             Christ’s love to campus.                               itself. It’s “incarnational evangelisation”, and the
 Cornelius and the clergy and the           communion.                                  Readers can launch interactive                                               Amidst an ever more disorienting environment,      aim of the game is not to tick off events or hand
 faithful of the Archdiocese.                  Finally, Pope Francis has talked      augmented reality content, like                                             where binge-drinking and “no-strings-attached”         out leaflets, but something much simpler and
     We look forward to the ordination      about digital technology and             videos, animations, weblinks and                                            are the norm, the quartet from Denver-based            more beautiful: “it is actually becoming the Word
 and priesthood of Deacon                   communications being a “gift from        much more.                                                                  FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University               incarnate,” Kaitlin explained, “becoming Jesus
 Johnpromise and Deacon Mohanraj            God” so I am delighted we are               You can see instructions on how                                          Students) have touched the lives of so many            Christ to others, through our love and time with
 in the summer.                             launching an innovative new app          to use the app at the foot of this                                          students since their arrival last June.                them, listening to them.”
                                                                                                                                                                     Their success? Investing in the individual. They       “All you have to do is share your life with
                                                                                                                                                                 meet the students where they are, in every corner      these people, enter into their lives and
                                                                                                                                                                 of campus, to share their time, their interest and     invite them into your life.”

Tap into                                                                                                                                                         their love.
                                                                                                                                                                     “We hope to encourage students to deepen
                                                                                                                                                                 their relationship with God through authentic
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The group have all undergone intensive
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        formation in scripture, Catholic doctrine
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        and pastoral theology to aid them in their

bonus                                                                                                                                                            friendship,” said Missionary Team Director, Kaitlin
                                                                                                                                                                 Gilday, “help them build up their faith and send
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        mission. They also have training all year
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        round, including Team Development

content                                                                                                                                                          them out on one-to-one discipleship missions of
                                                                                                                                                                 their own.”
                                                                                                                                                                     A vibrant community has now formed, with 40
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        meetings and a five-week summer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        posting to the USA.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            “FOCUS has helped me become much
                                                                                                                                                                 students even involved in bible study groups and       more grounded and given me insight into my
with the VivaVoce                                                                                                                                                setting up bible classes of their own.                 faith journey,” said student Toby, who was
Augmented Reality app                                                                                                                                                Attached to the Faith and Reflection Centre on     first attracted to the missionaries’ “innate
                                                                                                                                                                 campus and liaising closely with the Catholic          sense of joy”; something he wanted to
The app, called VivaVoce AR, will bring
                                                                                                Scan the                                                         Chaplaincy, the first representatives of FOCUS in      experience for himself.
                                                    Download the VivaVoce                                         SCAN PHOTO      When the video starts                                                                                                                                                        Sarra talks with
                                                                                              photo on the                                                       the UK comprise Kaitlin Gilday, aged 28, Shea              “They were always welcoming and
photographs to life in this magazine                AR app from App Store                                                         double tap your screen                                                                                                                                                         student Iliana
                                                                                              pages where                                                        McMahon, aged 30, Sarra Stanley, aged 29, and          supportive while having a strong value in the                                         Adjoumani in the
using the power of Augmented Reality.
                                                       or Google Play.                        you see this                         for a full-screen view        Anthony Thomas, aged 25.                               community and family-like aspect of their                                             university’s Faith
To access the bonus interactive
video content, simply follow the                                                                AR icon.          TO SEE VIDEO         to take away.                 After encountering students in friendship, the     mission,” he continued, “and got me to think                                            and Reflection
                                                                                                                                                                 missionaries invite them to take part in chaplaincy    more about my actions, life choices and what I                                                  Centre.
three easy steps:
                                                                                                                                                                 activities, bible study, Eucharistic adoration,        really need to be happy.” ■

   2     V i v a V o c e Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        V i v a V o c e Easter 2019    3
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Blessed Virgin Mary statue
 goes on display in Cathedral
             Holy House was created inside      England and a talk on the Dowry of Mary         holds the only secondary school in England
   A         St John’s Cathedral in
             Portsmouth to display the
                                                by Monsignor John Armitage, the Rector
                                                of Our Lady’s Shrine (Friday); Adoration
                                                                                                named after the Shrine, the Priory School of Our
                                                                                                Lady of Walsingham in Whippingham.
 renowned Statue of Our Lady of                 with Divine Mercy and an all-night vigil           “There are so many connections in the
 Walsingham shortly before Easter as it         (Saturday); and Angelus and Holy Mass           Diocese with the shaping events of English
 criss-crossed England on the Dowry Tour.       with an act of consecration (Sunday).           history,” said Edmund Matyjaszek, school
    The Blessed Virgin Mary’s statue left the       Our Lady’s residence in Portsmouth          Principal and author of The Rosary: England’s
 Slipper Chapel of the Catholic National        was longer than at any other Cathedral –        Prayer (published by St Paul’s Publishing
 Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham in            fittingly given that the Dowry Tour             Westminster with a Foreword by Bishop Philip
 Norfolk last June and by March next year       connects so readily with many aspects of        Egan).
 it will have visited all the Catholic          the Diocese.                                       “The visit of the Statue of Our Lady of
 Cathedrals of England.                             The Diocese contains the ancient see of     Walsingham is of supreme historical and spiritual
    Until the Reformation England was           Winchester, capital of Alfred the Great who     importance,” he continued. “We were and remain
 known for centuries as the Dowry of            secured the Christian identity of England       a country set apart for the mother of God alone.”
 Mary, a dedication formalised by               after defeating the Great Heathen Army.            The exhibition displayed in the Cathedral told
 Richard ll in 1381.                                The Oxford area has strong                  how the description of England as Mary’s Dowry
    The Dowry Tour is a mission of prayer       connections with notable Catholics              is thought to date back to Edward the Confessor.
 for re-evangelisation and conversion           Cardinal Newman, Jesuit priest Edmund              The devout Lady Richeldis in 1061 was led
 culminating in the 2020 Re-dedication of       Campion and Jesuit poet Gerard Manley           in spirit by the Virgin Mary to the house of
 England as the Dowry of Mary.                  Hopkins.                                        annunciation and at her request set up
    The four days of Masses, Eucharistic            Blessed John Henry Newman is patron         “England’s Nazareth” in Walsingham.
 healing and Angelus from April 4-7 in St       with Our Lady of Walsingham of the                 “More and more people are beginning to
 John’s Cathedral were experienced by           Ordinariate (for Anglicans who wish to be       realise the spiritual importance of Our Lady of
 countless people as an inspiring prelude       in communion with the Holy See) which           Walsingham for our times,” said Antonia Moffat,
 to the Easter Season.                          includes St Agatha’s in Portsmouth and          Outreach Co-ordinator of the Dowry Tour.                                                                                                The display of the
    A shrine containing the statue and a        has a presence in St Mary’s in Ryde, the           “During the Triduum (the three days of Easter                                                                                       Statue of Our Lady
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of Walsingham in St
 travelling exhibition were opened on           Isle of Wight, the first church in England to   recalling the passion, death, burial and                                                                                                 John’s Cathedral.
 Thursday evening at 5pm followed by Holy       be dedicated in                                 resurrection of Christ) of intense prayer at the
 Mass with the Crowning of Our Lady and         honour of the                                   Cathedrals a two-fold invitation is going out,
 his Divine Son by Father P. J. Smith Dean      Sorrowful and                                   asking people to focus on their own relationship
 of the Cathedral.                              Immaculate Heart                                with God and the Blessed Virgin Mary and
    The programme over the following days       of Mary.                                        through the new prayer, the Angelus Promise,
 included a Rosary for the Conversion of            The Isle of Wight                           to meditate on the annunciation.” ■

Monks carry the
statue into the
Cathedral for
the Holy Mass.

                                                                                                                                                                                               Monsignor John Armitage
                                                                                                                                                                                               places the Relic of
                                                                                                                                                                                               St Alban, Britain’s first
                                                                                                                                                                                               recorded martyr which
                                                                                                                                                    Dean of St John’s Cathedral Father P. J.   was in Cologne Cathedral
                                                                                                                                                          Smith crowns the statue.             for 800 years.

   4    Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                              Viva Voce Easter 2019      5
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Parishes embark on journey
                                                                                                           from maintenance to mission
                                                                                                                        HORTLY after assuming office six
                                                                                                            S           years ago, The Holy Father set out his
                                                                                                                        vision for what has become known as
                                                                                                           Divine Renovation.
                                                                                                              “I dream of a missionary option,” Pope Francis
                                                                                                           revealed. “That is, a missionary impulse capable
                                                                                                           of transforming everything, so that the Church’s
                                                                                                           customs, ways of doing things, times and
                                                                                                           schedules, languages and structures can be
                                                                                                           suitably channelled for the evangelisation of
                                                                                                           today’s world rather than for her self-
                                                                                                           preservation.”
                                                                                                              The challenge had been laid down – and
                                                                                                           parishes around the world enthusiastically
                                                                                                           embraced it. It also led to a best-selling book by
                                                                                                           Father James Mallon, a parish priest of Saint
                                                                                                           Benedict in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which provides
  SCAN PHOTO
                                                                                                           guidance on how parishes can move from what
                                                                                                           he refers to as, maintenance to mission.
                                                                                                              The vision has certainly been proactively            Reverend Canon Michael
  TO SEE VIDEO                                                                                             seized upon by the parishes in the Portsmouth           Dennehy pictured in the
                                                                                                           Diocese with many now looking to embark on a            newly refurbished Bethlehem
                                                                                                                                                                   chapel at English Martyrs –
                                                                                                           maintenance to mission journey.
                                                                                                                                                                   an example of the Parish’s
Adam Wlasak,                                                                                                  Others have already taken strides down the           physical commitment to
Alpha team member                                                                                          road in fulfilling their mission of evangelisation      divine renovation.
at English Martyrs,                                                                                        and bringing more people closer to Jesus Christ
Reading, talks with                                                                                        through the Church.
participant Aaron
                                                                                                              Initiatives are already up and running in St       Co-ordinators for each of our four weekend            others inside and outside the church.”
Franklyn at the
weekly Alpha                                                                                               Joseph and St Margaret, Clitherow near                masses, to really think about what welcome               The fruitfulness of Alpha is shown by the
get-together.                                                                                              Bracknell; English Martyrs, Reading; St Joseph        means and how we can make it a part of                desire of guests to join the Alpha Team and to
                                                                                                           and St Edmund Parish, Southampton, and St             everything we do, beyond a warm greeting at the       form discipleship groups after it has finished, as
                                                                                                           Peter and The Winchester Martyrs.                     church door.”                                         well as the enduring relationships that help to
                                                                                                              Through the senior leadership teams in the            The parishes that are taking the journey           build community.
                                                                                                           parish, specific programmes are co-ordinated          towards mission also use the ‘Divine Renovation’         Young people are also central to the journey
                                                                                                           and projects tailored to the needs of the local       five-system model to help achieve their goals.        from maintenance to mission in the Diocese.
                                                                                                           community are agreed upon – all aimed at              The pillars of this are – evangelisation, ministry,   Everything from youth groups to youth Alphas
                                                                                                           expanding the Church’s reach and appeal.              community, worship and discipleship.                  and new junior choirs have been set up to help
                                                                                                              Tracey Gurr, who is a member of the Parish            Tracey added: “We are holding meetings with        reinforce a strong bond.
                                                                                                           Leadership Team at English Martyrs, said: “We         the leaders of all our parish teams, bringing            Regeneration and restoration of buildings and
                                                                                                           have been looking at parish renewal for around 2      everyone together under these five broad              facilities are also important aspects of parish
                                                                                                           years. As a team we meet once a week and after        headings, to look at everything from hospitality,     renewal. These physical manifestations
                                                                                                           a prayer and gospel reading we discuss strategy.      finance and music, to baptism, youth groups and       demonstrate a commitment by the Church to
                                                                                                              “We use Father Mallon’s book Divine                Eucharistic ministry.                                 divine renovation and can lead to an expanding
                                                                                                           Renovation as our guide but do not follow the            The aim is to develop connected processes of       role in the community.
                                                                                                           model exactly as we look to focus on the issues       evangelisation and discipleship rather than              For example in English Martyrs parish, not only
                                                                                                           that are relevant to this parish, the needs of the    individual programmes or projects.                    has refurbishment work been carried out on the
                                                                                                           people in it and the resources that we have              Key to this is Alpha, an initiative that           church but the leadership team is now looking at
                                                                                                           available.                                            encourages us to voice our questions about            major improvements to the parish hall and other
                                                                                                              “One of the first things we did was to agree a     the Christian faith and to share our                  facilities, in consultation with parishioners.
                                                                                                           vision for our parish: ’English Martyrs is a          understandings and experiences.                          Tracey explained: “We have drawn up
                                                                                                           welcoming community, inviting, encouraging and           Running for eight weeks at a time, 20 to 30        architectural plans and are very excited about
                                                                                                           supporting all to have an ever-deepening              guests meet to share a meal, watch an                 what we could do with better facilities.
                                                                                                           relationship with Jesus. We are inspired to show      informative film about an aspect of Christianity         Everything from more youth groups and social
                                                                                                           God’s love to the world with joy and hope.’           and then gather into small groups for discussion      activities to initiatives which reach out and help
                                                                                                              “This guides all aspects of our renewal and        and fellowship.                                       people in the wider community, such as the
                                                                                                           provides the soil from which the seed of a               One recent participant said: “For me, this is      homeless, as Jesus would have us do.
                                      Alpha team                                                           mission focused parish can grow.                      what the life of the church should be about. It’s        “So while there are challenges ahead as we
                                     member Sen                                                               “The team is working with many different           given me a wonderful opportunity to deepen my         continue our journey, there are so many things to
                                 Buhay serves a
                                                                                                           groups within the parish to move closer to the        relationship with Jesus and to get to know            be positive about, as we see the Holy Spirit at
                               meal to participant   Participants Saffi Bangura, left, and Terry Harris,
                               Cyndy Hamerston.                                                            vision.                                               people I hadn’t met before. It’s given me more        work in our parish, bringing us together and
                                                        right sing worship songs with Alpha team
                                                                 member Chin Hamerston,                       For instance, we’re working with the Welcome       confidence to share the joy of my faith with          making a real difference to people’s lives.” ■
                                                                          centre.
 6     Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                         Viva Voce Easter 2019           7
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Bishop                                                                                                                                                Sisters harness technology
praises                                                                                                                                               to spread faith awareness
                                                                                                                                                                 congregation of
                                                                                                                                                       A         Dominican Sisters at the

vibrant                                                                                                                                                          centre of New
                                                                                                                                                      Evangelisation in the Diocese of
                                                                                                                                                      Portsmouth is using the power of
                                                                                                                                                                                                Sister Hyacinthe
                                                                                                                                                                                                Defos Du Rau
                                                                                                                                                                                                delivers one
                                                                                                                                                                                                of her weekly
                                                                                                                                                                                                Webinars at the

Parish’s                                                                                                                                              technology to spread faith
                                                                                                                                                      awareness.
                                                                                                                                                         Sister Hyacinthe Defos Du Rau at
                                                                                                                                                      St Dominic’s Priory on the edge of
                                                                                                                                                                                                priory at Sway.

energy                                      Mini Vinnies at
                                                                                                                                                      the New Forest in Hampshire holds
                                                                                                                                                      a weekly web-based seminar.
                                                                                                                                                         So far through her webinars –
                                              St Edmund’s Catholic                                                                                    also available in audio
          ISHOP Philip praised the
 B        Parish of Our Lady of
          Abingdon and St Edmund as
                                              Primary School,
                                              Abingdon, left to right,
                                              Arno, Nina and Evie pack
                                                                                                                                                      versions as podcasts – she
                                                                                                                                                      has helped around 200
                                                                                                                                                      people discover more about
a “vibrant Christian community with           a backpack for needy
                                                                                                                                                      God, themselves and the
real energy and enthusiasm” following         children in Milawi in
                                              support of the Mary’s                                                                                   Church through the Gospels.
his pastoral visitation in February.
                                              Meals charity.                                                                                             Sister Hyacinthe is head of
   Taking time out from the
                                                                                                                                                      the Formation For Mission Team,
packed programme of his
                                                                                                                                                      comprising 10 sisters who live in
canonical visit to meet
                                                                                                                                                      the Priory and 14 lay people based
representatives from the parish, he received an        “Later he asked to meet a representative      leading to an exploration of Christian faith
                                                                                                                                                      at different locations around the
update on the dynamic activities of service and     group of about 10 parishioners including the     around a personal relationship with Jesus.
                                                                                                                                                      Diocese.
mission underway.                                   head teachers of both Catholic schools in the       At St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School
                                                                                                                                                         The aim of the voluntary team is
   A key focus of the day was the Bishop’s          parish. Bishop Philip is very keen on the        pupils have been inspired by the local Saint
                                                                                                                                                      to help baptised members of
five-yearly inspection of the Eucharistic           schools and the parish sharing the Church’s      Vincent de Paul Conference to become young
                                                                                                                                                      Christ to fulfil their mission of
ministry, administration and pastoral service       mission.”                                        members of the charity.
                                                                                                                                                      evangelisation by offering faith
within the parish – all required under Canon           Parish groups meeting at church or in            The Mini Vinnies have raised money
                                                                                                                                                      formation at all levels.
Law.                                                people’s homes include Charismatic Prayer        themselves, or collaborated in fundraising
                                                                                                                                                         The Webinar and the team’s use      consistent with their charism as      throughout the whole Diocese,” said   wonderful opportunity to be doing
   Bishop Philip also preached to three packed      Meeting, Support for the Homeless, a baby and    ventures to support the Mary’s Meals Backpack
                                                                                                                                                      of social media, posting on Twitter,   Dominicans, the Order of the          Sister Hyacinthe, who was born in     what we are supposed to do in the
Masses and a special Adoration was held at          toddler group, a Wednesday “cake and             Project, the Dar Mariam Salesian School in
                                                                                                                                                      Facebook and Instagram, have           Preachers – with a daily pattern of   France, has a Masters Degree in       service of our Diocese.
5pm. “After the morning masses we had coffee        conversation” session, Called and Gifted,        Sudan, Helen and Douglas House and CAFOD.
                                                                                                                                                      been introduced as a way of            contemplative prayer, monastic        Applied Theology and is a published       “It is a genuine Grace for us to be
in the parish centre and Bishop Philip spoke to     Pre-Discipleship, ecumenical activities and         The youngsters have also made Christmas
                                                                                                                                                      communicating relevant and widely      observances, sung liturgy and         translator.                           able to do that together.”
a post-confirmation group of young people,”         Justice and Peace.                               cards for the homeless and created Stations
                                                                                                                                                      accessible topics.                     study. “We were approached by         “We were very grateful because this       Where possible the Sisters travel
said Father Jamie McGrath who along with               There are two Alpha groups in the parish,     of the Cross frames at their school to be used
                                                                                                                                                         The Sisters combine their active    Bishop Philip to help with            apostolate completely complements     as a group from their Priory in the
Father Rob Stewart hosted the visitation.           based on hospitality, sharing and conversation   during Lenten celebrations.
                                                                                                                                                      work of “preaching and teaching” –     catechesis and formation              our mission in the Church. It is a    village of Sway to visit other
                                                                                                        In a collaborative project for the Caritas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         parishes to run courses and share
                                                                                                     “Dragon’s Den” competition, the Mini Vinnies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         teaching resources.
                                                                                                     joined students from Our Lady’s Abingdon to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             For catechists (religious
                                                                                                     create an enormous “Heart of Light” which
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         teachers) the Formation team
                                                                                                     raised more than £6,000 to be shared between
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         offers a five-session essential
                                                                                                            two charities selected by the young
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         training course and more specialist
                                                                                                            people.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         courses run in partnership with the
                                                                                                              Pupils at Our Lady’s Abingdon junior
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Maryvale Institute and the
                                                                                                          and senior schools have been prolific in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Diocesan Diaconate Department.
                                                                                                        raising money for charities including Food
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             For all adults, the team offers the
                                                                                                       Bank for Harvest, Helen and Douglas House
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Anchor faith formation programme
                                                                                                      and the Cats’ Protection League.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         and a Certificate in Parish Mission
                                                                                                        Year 7s raised £171 for Macmillan Cancer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         and Ministry. Also on offer are
                                                                                                     Support and their cake sale proceeds went to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         training for children’s liturgy leaders,
                                                                                                     Be Free Young Carers while the Lower School
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         First Holy Communion Catechists
                                                                                                     disco raised £1,338 for Uganda. The Year 10s
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         and Rite of Christian Initiation of
                                                                                                     raised £300 by collecting old textiles for
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Adults (RCIA) Catechists.
                                                                                                     recycling for Stem4 teenage mental health
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             This year, a retreat is being held
                                                                                                     charity.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         for catechists in Basingstoke while
                                                                                                        The Our Lady’s Abingdon sewing bee
                        Mini Vinnies at St Edmund’s Catholic Primary School                                                                                                                                                                                              an Annual Day for Catechists takes
                                                                                                     consists of groups of parents, teachers and
                        Amélie and Mark with two of the Stations of the                                                                                                                                                                              Sisters Carino      place in Portsmouth Cathedral
                        Cross they made for Lenten celebrations. Amélie is                           pupils who have made shorts and dresses for                                                                                                  Hodder, left, and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         with talks, testimonies and
                        also pictured on Viva Voce front cover.                                      the children in schools in Uganda. ■                                                                                                   Veronica Brennan with
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Postulant Elena Cahill       discussions. ■
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             in the chapel next to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                the priory at Sway.
 8     Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Viva Voce Easter 2019             9
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Parishes send emergency aid
                                                                                                                                                        to sister Diocese in Cameroon
                                                                                                                                                                    IND-HEARTED people
                                                                                                                                                         K          from the parishes are
                                                                                                                                                                    sending emergency help
                                                                                                                                                        to clergy and residents in
                                                                                                                                                        Portsmouth’s sister Diocese who
                                                                                                                                                        are under threat from political
                                                                                                                                                        unrest.
                                                                                                                                                            The Archdiocese of Bamenda in
                                                                                                                                                        Cameroon is caught up in
                                                                                                                                                        spiralling violence following
                                                                                                                                                        initial peaceful protests by
                                                                                                                                                        English speakers over their
                                                                                                                                                        alleged marginalisation by the
                                                                                                                                                        French speaking Government.
                                                                                                                                                            Following harsh military
                                                                                                                                                        intervention, groups of
                                                                                                                                                        English-speaking insurgents have
                                                                                          Pre-Discipleship Team Leader Clare                            since been agitating for an
                                                                                          Simpson, left, talks about Ananias                            independent break-away state and
                                                                                          training with Abingdon parishioners Alex                      their demand for the population to
                                                                                          Contreras, centre, and Laura Williams.
                                                                                                                                                        observe “ghost days” where
                                                                                                                                                        businesses and services are shut

Ananias Training is preparing
                                                                                                                                                        down is being regularly observed for
                                                                                                                                                        fear of reprisal.
                                                                                                                                                            In a disturbing incident Bishop
                                                                                                                                                        Michael Bibi was recently                 Chairman of the

people to be faith journey guides
                                                                                                                                                        abducted by the so-called Amba            Portsmouth Bamenda
                                                                                                                                                        Boys for travelling during a              Committee Colm Lennon
                                                                                                                                                                                                  with posters spreading the
                                                                                                                                                        stay-at-home protest and held for         news about the emergency
                                                                                                                                                        four hours at gunpoint in a forest        in Bamenda.
                                                                                                                                                        clearing.
            N inspiring initiative to support people   sacred ground of another, and relate to them

 A          on their faith journey is underway in
            the Diocese. Ananias Training by
                                                       more intentionally and prayerfully.”
                                                          Ananias Training can be given in a parish or
                                                                                                                                                            The brave Bishop has revealed
                                                                                                                                                        on a subsequent visit to Portsmouth
                                                                                                                                                        Diocese that he was “waiting for the
                                                                                                                                                                                                explaining to them that he was on
                                                                                                                                                                                                his way to celebrate Mass. Children
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         A youth project is set to divert
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      children from involvement in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              are atrocities on both sides and we
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              are taking a human rights stance.”
members of the Pre-Discipleship Team is                home setting and it includes scripture
                                                                                                                                                        worst” when the separatists             are at the centre of the crisis       troubles by providing a church             Bishop Philip has asked parishes
equipping parishioners in the “art of spiritual        reflections, video, and small group discussions.
                                                                                                                                                        threatened him and his two              because the majority of schools       youth centre and the opportunity to     to support a Lenten appeal in
accompaniment”.                                           “Some people lack confidence and we help
                                                                                                                                                        travelling companions with their        have been closed for three            learn some computer skills.             support of Bamenda Archdiocese
   Named after the disciple who played an              them to be more intentional about
                                                                                                                                                        lives and prepared to burn their car.   academic years.                          A further donation is funding the    and the Portsmouth Bamenda
important role in accompanying St Paul on his          accompanying their friends and family,” said
                                                                                                                                                            He was released only after one of      The Portsmouth Bamenda             purchase of a vehicle enabling the      Committee is keeping regular
journey to Christ, Ananias Training was recently       Clare. It’s about breaking the cultural silence
                                                                                                                                                        his captors said he used to be an       Committee has launched special        healthcare co-ordinator to provide      contact with friends in Cameroon,
developed by the Catherine of Siena Institute in       that tends to exist around Jesus, giving
                                                                                                                                                        altar boy and they all accepted a       projects for 2019 – funded by the     outreach to the health centres          assuring them of solidarity and
the United States, which also originated the           parishioners the tools to accompany others in
                                                                                                                                                        gift of rosaries, with the              Bamenda Sunday Collection – with      throughout the north-west region of     prayers. The Committee is asking
Called and Gifted process. The training is             their journey to a meaningful life in Jesus.”
                                                                                                                                                        Bishop “gently”                            the crisis in mind.                Cameroon which is adversely             people to urge their MPs to seek
designed to form parishioners as Ananiases,               The Ananias Team spoke at the recent Annual
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      affected.                               assurances that the UK
who will travel alongside their friends, family and    Conference of Diocesan Deacons at Marwell
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         An emergency meeting of the          Government is taking all reasonable
work colleagues during their spiritual journey.        Conference Centre near Winchester, giving them
                                                                                                                                                        Bamenda Bishop                                                                committee has agreed to send an         steps to seek a peaceful resolution
   Since last autumn the team have been                a flavour of Ananias through four sessions                                                       Michael Bibi                                                                  extra £10,000 to support the work       of the troubles.
training people in the parishes of Abingdon,           delivered over a weekend.                                                                        pictured during a
                                                                                                                                                        visit to the                                                                  of an Ad Hoc Commission which           ■ Portsmouth has been twinned
Hook, Winchester and Farnborough as well as
                                                                                                                                                        Portsmouth                                                                    has been set up by Archbishop           with Bamenda since 1974 with the
the Avon Stour pastoral area. Already around            ■ Part of the training is a six-hour retreat                                                    Diocese.                                                                      Cornelius in Bamenda.                   Diocese supporting projects in the
more than 100 lay Catholics across the Diocese          called The Great Story of Jesus, presenting                                                                                                                                      “We are supporting its provision     areas of Faith, Health, Education
have taken up the call to be Ananiases.                 the history of salvation and giving time for                                                                                                                                  of food, clothing, medical outreach     and Social Welfare. These include
   “Being an Ananias is about building trust with       participants to make a personal response.                                                                                                                                     and access to justice for Internally    youth education, clean water, health
a person and listening lovingly to their real           The team will be running this day on June 8                                                                                                                                   Displaced Persons (IDPs),” said Jo      equipment and church construction.
questions and opinions about God in order to            at St Bede’s in Basingstoke, primarily for                                                                                                                                    Overton, vice-chair of the                 Donations for the appeal can be
guide the discovery of how God is present in            catechists and local parishioners. Anyone                                                                                                                                     Portsmouth Bamenda Committee.           made via cheque to The Bamenda
their life”, said Clare Simpson, leader of the          who would like to find out more about                                                                                                                                            “The Archdiocese is facing huge      Commission co/the Treasurer
Pre-Discipleship Team. “Our desire is to train          Ananias should contact Clare at                                                                                                                                               challenges at this time. The Catholic   Deacon Gerard Dailly or on the
many parishioners in accompaniment which                csimpson@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk                 The evocative artwork which has been
                                                                                                          adopted as the “logo” for Ananias Training.                                                                                 Church in Bamenda finds itself          donate button on the website
teaches us to remove our sandals before the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      caught between two stools. There        bamendaandportsmouth.com.

 10    Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Viva Voce Easter 2019          11
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
HEIR days are spent largely
                                                       T         in silent prayer and
                                                                 adoration in a remote island
                                                     parish. As Marian Franciscan sisters
                                                     they observe the rule of poverty and
                                                     live in “total consecration” to the
                                                     Virgin Mary.
                                                        But the seven sisters of the
                                                     Adoremus Centre at the Church of

                                                                                                   Alderney Sisters
                                                     St Anne and St Mary Magdalene on
                                                     Alderney in the Channel Islands are
                                                     far from “cloistered”.
                                                        They have integrated themselves

                                                                                                   give glory in a
                                                     into the 2,000-strong community on
                                                     the three mile-long island and they
                                                     also have a key role in the Diocese of
                                                     Portsmouth.
                                                        Their work in the convent by the
                                                     church has been called by Bishop
                                                     Philip Egan a “powerhouse of
                                                     prayer” for the future.
                                                        He has described their devotion as
                                                     vital to this salvation and
                                                     sanctification of all the people of the
                                                                                                   powerhouse
                                                                                                   of prayer
                                                     Diocese.
                                                        Through begging and obtaining
                                                     God’s grace and blessings for the                                                                                                                                                                                              The sisters go out to walk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    and pray in more isolated
                                                     clergy, people, schools and ministries                                                                                                                                                                                                parts of the island.
                                                     of the Diocese in their work of
                                                     proclaiming the Gospel, the sisters
                                                     have a role of wide-ranging
                                                     significance.                              every way,” said Sister Maria              of prayer in the Diocese. Thanks to       focal point in prayer, the Eucharistic    have a special commitment to              concern spiritual and physical needs,
                             Sisters at the Church      At the same time the sisters are        Veronica.                                  the Sisters of Mercy on Guernsey          Heart of Jesus,” said Sister Maria        praying very much the Holy Rosary,”       personal problems or even people
                                   of St Anne and    working with parish priest Canon               “Not only Catholics, but people of     they were granted the empty convent       Veronica.                                 said Sister Maria Veronica.               needing to pass exams, succeed in
                              St Mary Magdalene.                                                all kinds of beliefs have been drawn       on Alderney which was already                As a religious community the              “We conserve our silence within        work or convert loved ones. ■
                                                     Michael Hore, who is responsible for
                                                     the Adoremus Centre (Adoremus              to us and inspired to look after us in     equipped for their needs.                 sisters have a daily timetable and a      the enclosure of the convent at all
                                                     means “let us adore”), to renew the        different ways.”                              Built after the devastation of         balanced rhythm of life which             times, except for during recreation, to
                                The seven Sisters    Church’s mission on the island and in          The sisters are aged between 20        World War Two, the convent is             alternates the prayer of the liturgy      maintain a constant spirit of loving
                                 pictured outside    the south of England.                      and 40 and hail from Europe, North         connected to the church by a              with meditation, study, work,             prayer and adoration.
                                    their convent.      They visit people, especially the       and South America and Asia.                covered passage – and it is in the        evangelistic activity, personal prayer,      “But the early morning is for us a
                                                     old and sick in their homes in the             Their desire for a second, more        church that the sisters pray.             community recreation and the right        specially privileged time of prayer,
                                                     capital St Anne, and they go out to        withdrawn house, in addition to their         “It struck us as very fitting for a    care of bodily needs.                     and the Holy Mass each morning is
                                                     walk and pray in the more isolated         house in Bridgemary, Hampshire,            community of adoration that in this          “The ‘Liturgy of the Hours’ gives us   the pinnacle of our day, while then in
                                                     parts of the island.                       coincided with the Bishop’s                church the tabernacle is in the centre,   the different moments during the day      the afternoon we are given in a
                                                        “Alderney is an island with a strong    inspiration to establish a special place   behind the high altar. And this is our    to pray the Divine Office, and we also    special way to Eucharistic Adoration,
                                                     community feel, like one big family,                                                                                                                                      led by Canon Hore, with daily
                                                     and we have been welcomed into                                                                                                                                            Exposition and Benediction, holding
                                                     the family,” said Sister Maria                                                                                                                                            the Bishop, his priests and the whole
                                                     Veronica.                                                                                                                                                                 Diocese before our Lord in the
                                                        “We find ourselves in a special                                                                                                                                        Blessed Sacrament.
                                                     relationship with not only the Catholic                                                                                                                                      “But our whole lives, in
                                                     faithful, but also with non-Catholics,                                                                                                                                    the mystery of the
                                                     really with all the islanders.”                                                                                                                                           consecrated life, are an
                                                        In fact it is thanks to the                                                                                                                                            offering to God in the
                                                     generosity of the community that the                                                                                                                                      Immaculate Heart of Mary,
                                                     sisters are able to continue their                                                                                                                                        one with Jesus on the altar.
                                                     mission.                                                                                                                                                                  Everything that we are, our being
                                                        Sharing in the poverty of Jesus                                                                                                                                        and our actions, becomes a loving
                                                     and Mary opens them to God’s                                                                                                                                              prayer to God in Mary’s Heart.”
                                                     spiritual riches, but it also puts them                                                                                                                                      The sisters have a further
                                                     under the care of those around them                                                                                                                                       connection with the community
                                                     who are inspired by God to sustain                                                                                                                                        through the Adoremus webmail,
                                                     them in their physical needs.                                                                                                                                             receiving frequent prayer requests
                                                        “Here on Alderney, from the                                                                                                                                            from around the Diocese.
                                                     moment we arrived, the people have                                                                                                                                           They pray for each intention that is
                                                                                                                                                                                            Led by Canon Hore the
                                                     been eager to take care of us in                                                                                                                                          entrusted to them, whether these
                                                                                                                                                                                                sisters take part in
                                                                                                                                                                                             Eucharistic Adoration.
12   Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Viva Voce Easter 2019          13
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Faith journey to
priesthood gave
profound
contentment
              OHNPROMISE Umeozuru was living a
  J           comfortable life with a great job and
              financial security – but he felt
something was missing.
    After acting on an early ambition to become a
priest, inspired by a religious teacher, and
completing two pontifical degrees as a
seminarian in Nigeria he had travelled to England
to get experience of the “real world”.
     But despite taking a Master’s Degree at
Cardiff Metropolitan University, and enjoying
widespread travel in his social worker job,
Johnpromise found that his spiritual thirst was
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Bournemouth Oratorians, left to right, Brother Francisco Hintikka, Father
still unquenched.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Dominic Jacob, Father Peter Edwards, and Brother Andrew Wagstaff
     “I was not fulfilled in my comfortable life                                                                                                                                                                                                   outside the French Gothic-style Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
because my heart was yearning for something
higher,” said Johnpromise, aged 37, who grew
up as a practising Catholic in South-East Nigeria.
     “I later discerned through the guidance and
support of my long-time spiritual director that
God was calling me to dedicate myself totally to
                                                                                                                                                               Inspiring Oratory is beacon of
Him in the Catholic priesthood.”
     During his subsequent faith journey
Johnpromise felt a “profound sense of
consolation, happiness and contentment” as
                                                                                                                        Seminarian Johnpromise
                                                                                                                        Umeozuru pictured at the
                                                                                                                        entrance to the Chapel at
                                                                                                                        St John’s Seminary in Wonersh.
                                                                                                                                                               hope and shining light of faith
he looked forward to a life with no material                                                                                                                              T’S a beacon of beauty and hope on        pastoral apostolate in the parish. On four           venerates Blessed John Henry Newman who in
possessions.
     “On the other hand, there was a deep sense
of desolation, sadness and emptiness when I
                                                      motives,” he said. He has also found it
                                                      “profoundly enriching” to carry out two practical
                                                                                                            Johnpromise, whose home parish is Sacred
                                                                                                          Heart and St Peter the Apostle, Waterlooville,
                                                                                                                                                                 I        the south coast of England – and its
                                                                                                                                                                          spiritual origins are unique.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    nights every week they host “Hope for Food,”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    with SVP and other volunteers feeding up to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         1849 established the first English Oratory in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Birmingham. Oratorians refer to the famous
                                                                                                                                                                   Bournemouth Oratory, one of seven such in        100 homeless rough sleepers.                         theologian as “Our Cardinal” and welcome his
considered hanging on to all I had with all the       placements while at Wonersh, helping and            Havant, looks forward to his priestly ministry
                                                                                                                                                               Britain, is a community of secular priests and           Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics               forthcoming canonisation which will deepen
trappings therein.”                                   assisting at Alcoholics Anonymous and attending     when he will “serve the people of God and
                                                                                                                                                               brothers living the life of St Philip Neri, the      Anonymous use the Oratory’s halls alongside          awareness of his universal influence, not least
     The sense of happiness and contentment has       to the spiritual needs of the female Catholics in                   minister God’s love and mercy to
                                                                                                                                                               sixteenth century “Apostle of Rome”.                 the church and parishioners hold regular tea         on the Second Vatican Council.
stayed with him ever since he enrolled in 2017        HM Prison Send.                                                        them through the sacraments
                                                                                                                                                                   Based in the imposing French Gothic-style        parties for the elderly and lonely.                      The Oratory provides the Catholic
for two years’ training at St John’s Seminary,                                                                                 of the Church”.
                                                                                                                                                               Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the               The “Little Oratory” (the original foundation    Chaplaincy to Bournemouth University, with
Wonersh, near Guildford in Surrey.                                                                                                 He invites people in the
                                                                                                                                                               centre of the resort, the Oratorians have daily      of laymen, integral to any Oratory) already          Sunday evening CathSoc meetings in the
    “There is an inner peace that has enveloped                                                                                 Diocese to be present at his
                                                                                                                                                               times for communal silent prayer and silent          comprises a dozen men being formed in the            Oratory, and one of the Oratorians being on
me ever since the Lord came calling once                                                                                       ordination on July 20 at
                                                                                                                                                               meals with readings.                                 spirituality of St Philip, while passers-by pop in   campus each week.
more and that has never left me in my journey                                                                               11am in St John’s Catholic
                                                                                                                                                                   As with every Oratory, daily life is guided by   for the daily Oratory prayers with many being            With the Oratory House currently under
of discipleship with the Lord,” he said.                                                                                  Cathedral in Portsmouth.
                                                                                                                                                               the Constitutions of the Congregation of the         drawn by the warmth and welcome, and taking          renovation, a subsequent redevelopment of
     “Like St Paul, I count every other thing                                                                                        “I humbly request the
                                                                                                                                                               Oratory established as an institute of secular       repose in stillness and silence of the Oratory       the halls and subterranean areas is planned.
including the great job, salary and life I                                                                                         people of God to pray
                                                                                                                                                               clergy by St Philip in 1556.                         church. “Oratorians are ‘fishers rather than             The Bishop’s vision for Bournemouth Oratory
had as rubbish for the sake of                                                                                                      that God moulds me into
                                                                                                                                                                   Since their arrival in 2017 – at Bishop Philip   hunters’ who draw people to the Oratory by           as ultimately a state-of-the-art centre for
Christ and his Church.”                                                                                                              an instrument of His
                                                                                                                                                               Egan’s invitation – Father Peter Edwards,            their availability, the cheerfulness and joy for     catechetics, formation and evangelisation is a
    Johnpromise’s ordination as a                                                                                                    love and mercy to
                                                                                                                                                               Father Dominic Jacob (co-founder of the              which St Philip was renowned and by beauty in        fitting destiny for what is already recognised as
Deacon last year has enabled                                                                                                          soothe the spiritual
                                                                                                                                                               Oxford Oratory), Brother Francisco Hintikka          liturgy and music,” said Father Peter.               a shining light of faith in the Diocese.
him to examine on a daily basis                                                                                                       hunger of his people,”
                                                                                                                                                               and Brother Andrew Wagstaff have                         There is now an additional Mass on most              In the words of Father Peter: “In the midst of
his thoughts, words and actions                                                                                                       he said. ■
                                                                                                                                                               enthusiastically pursued the Oratorian way of        mornings, extended periods of Eucharistic            much homelessness, and the attendant
in line with the life of Christ and                                                                                                    Johnpromise on his      life. There are daily familiar discourses on the     Adoration and Benediction on Sundays.                problems of alcohol and drug abuse and
the teachings of the Church.                                                                                                     Philosophical Graduation      Word of God, daily opportunities for                     As part of the Confederation of Oratories of     loneliness, the Oratory is increasingly
    “I find it liberating to be a                                                                                                   Day in Nigeria in 2005     Confession, Sacred Liturgy and music which is        St Philip Neri, Bournemouth                          recognised as a much needed powerhouse of
servant to all without ulterior                                                                                                     flanked by his parents
                                                                                                                                     Marcel and Elizabeth.     both beautiful and devotional, and a distinctive     Oratory-in-Formation (to give it its full title)     prayer.” ■

 14    Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Viva Voce Easter 2019          15
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Caring support to help rough
Major youth
event focuses                                                                       sleepers rebuild their lives
on impact of                                                                                    HURCH communities in
social media                                                                         C          Windsor have been
                                                                                                working together to help
                                                                                                                                  Service User Kevin McNally
                                                                                                                                  pictured at the night shelter
                                                                                    rough sleepers get off the streets            with his Staffordshire Bull
MORE than 300 young people
                                                                                    and rediscover a better quality of life       Terrier Diamond.
from around the Diocese were
among an audience of 8,000                                                          through a pilot night shelter project.
who enjoyed a day of prayer,                                                           Five churches in the Berkshire
adoration, catechesis and                                                           market town, including the Catholic,
celebration at the UK’s biggest                                                     Anglican and Baptist places of
annual Catholic youth event.                                                         worship, opened up their
   The theme for Flame 2019,                                                          community halls during the winter
which took place at the SSE                                                               to allow homeless people to
Wembley Arena in March,                                                                    spend the night in comfort and
was #Significance – and                                                                    with a bed to sleep in.
looked at the underlying                                                                       Volunteers cooked up hot
role social media can play in                                                                evening meals and supplied
shaping people's self esteem.                                                               breakfast and, importantly,
    It was based on the concept                                                             also provided advice, support
that in today’s society young                                                             and a listening ear to the
people often feel constrained                                                        people who turned up for the night.
to measure self-worth simply                                                           The project called More Than A
by Twitter and Instagram                                                            Shelter is all about relationship
“likes”, and responses to                                                           building – the aim being that by
Facebook status updates and                                                         working with the homeless people
                                                        Service User and musician
Snapchat conversations.                            Mark Caruso shares a meal with   and showing their care and
   Instead, Flame explored the                        Volunteer Andrea Gosztonyi.   compassion it may help them to
deep Catholic truth of our                                                          look for the kind of support that will
being – that people are God’s                                                       help them rebuild their lives, such
work of art and can only ever                                                       as drug recovery or alcohol
understand ourselves in              Caritas Director                               rehabilitation.
                                     Kevin Gallagher                                   This even runs as far as their pets
relationship with Him.
                                     talks with Volunteer                           as it is one of the only homeless         around 160 actually came forward            “But we also have a responsibility      “So we want to play our part
   Tom Sellars, Diocese Youth        Claire Groves at
Ministry Team Lead, said: “It        the night shelter.                             projects in the country where rough       from all walks of life. The main aim     to look at the origins of the problem   alongside local councils, the police
was very good at getting to the                                                     sleepers are allowed to bring their       of the project is to get people back     and try to resolve the issues that      and other agencies in coming up
root of contemporary issues to                                                      dogs along with them to encourage         into a more stable way of life by        lead to rough sleeping.                 with the solutions.” ■
do with social media and                                                            them to get involved.                     encouraging them and giving them
addressing them while                                                                  The project is run by a number         the confidence to seek expert                                                                      Street Angel Volunteer
exploring the core                                                                  of agencies including Caritas             advice.                                                                                                   Yvonne Conroy,
fundamentals of faith.”                                                             Portsmouth, the social action arm            “One of the main causes of                                                                             left, and Project
                                                                                    of the Diocese, as well as                people becoming homeless is                                                                                   Co-ordinator
   Throughout the day there                                                                                                                                                                                                                Emilie Chana.
were speakers alongside world                                                       Foodshare and Churches Together           relationship breakdown and this can
class music and drama.                                                              in Windsor.                               isolate people and make them feel
   They included Cardinal                                                              Caritas Director Kevin Gallagher       very lonely. So one of the things the
Vincent Nichols, the head of the                                                    said: “The pilot project was initially    volunteers look to do is to build new
Catholic Church in England and                                                      set up to provide a night shelter         relationships with them, which helps
Wales, Archbishop Eamon                                                             during the coldest months of the          restore faith in people and
Martin, Primate of All Ireland,                                                     year. At least one of the five            community.”
US gospel speaker Robert                                                            churches was open every night of             Caritas is now looking at the
Madu, Christian rapper Guvna                                                        the week and so there was always          possibility of rolling out the project
B and his wife Emma Borquaye,                                                       somewhere for people to stay the          to other deaneries – but to also play
founder of the Girl Got Faith                                                       night.                                    a bigger role in getting to the root
lifestyle blog.                                                                        “It is a purely voluntary led          cause of rough sleeping.
   Music and worship were led                                                       project, providing a high level of           Kevin added: “Windsor is no
by award-winning composer                                                           hospitality in terms of the cooked        different to any town around the UK
Tim Hughes, who has written                                                         meals and a warm bed. We were             in that rough sleepers can be found
worship songs including Here I                                                      overwhelmed by the level of               on the streets. That is why a project
Am to Worship, Happy Day, The                                                       response from the community.              such as this is so welcome and why
Way and Hope & Glory.                                                               When we first sought volunteers we        we are already looking to bring it
                                                                                    expected, maybe, 20 to 30 –               back next winter.

16     V i v a V o c e Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                             V i v a V o c e Easter 2019     17
Mini Vinnies shine in vibrant parish - News from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth - Sacred Heart Hook Catholic Church
Innovative
                                                                 Our man in Rome’s key role as
communicators
are needed
                                                                 pastoral tutor for seminarians
locally                                                               V
                                                                                  ISITS to the church of San
                                                                                  Luigi dei Francesi in Rome
                                                                                                               one of the Pontifical Universities in
                                                                                                               Rome.
                                                                                                                                                         at St John’s Catholic Cathedral in
                                                                                                                                                         Portsmouth as well as being the Bishop’s
THE communications department                                                     provide Father James            The Northern Ireland-born              Secretary with never a thought that he
invites the people of Portsmouth                                     McAuley with recurring inspiration in     specialist in Biblical Theology also      would return to Italy.
diocese to take part in three key                                    his faith journey.                        has responsibility for the overall           He is in Rome for a maximum of five
initiatives to be developed through                                     Within the walls of the holy           formation of one-third of the             years after which he will return to his
the year.                                                            building – close by the Venerable         seminarians as their pastoral tutor.      pastoral work in the Diocese.
   Firstly, a network of                                             English College where he is                  He meets each of the                      In his current role he finds the
communications ambassadors will                                      Academic Tutor – hangs a painting         seminarians at least three times a        commitment of many seminarians to
be formed. “We intend to hold a                                      by Caravaggio.                            semester for a formation tutorial,        personal prayer and to study “both edifying
series of training sessions for                                         The Calling of St Matthew,             and also teaches first-years Latin as     and personally challenging,” while he also
anyone interested,” said                                             depicting Jesus Christ summoning          part of their philosophy course.          admires their sense of mission exemplified
Communications Director Chris                                        the tax collector Levi to follow him,        “I discuss the four aspects of their   by periodic “Nights of Light” inviting people
Smith. “Our major focus is to share                                  speaks to Father James personally         formation with them, set goals and        on the streets of Rome to light candles and
the stories of ordinary people                                       because St Matthew is the patron          assist them in their development and      pray.
leading extraordinary lives, so we                                   saint of accountants – and that is his    progress,” said Father James, who            A high point of his time so far in the
need to support them locally                                         own profession.                           has a Law Degree from Oxford              Italian capital was meeting Pope Francis
through a network of                                                    “I visit San Luigi dei Francesi no     University and worked as a chartered      when the Pontiff received the College in an
communications representatives,                                      less than once a month and it is a        accountant before being ordained as       audience last April.
who can identify, communicate and                                    tremendous privilege to be able to        a priest in 2010.                            He was introduced to the Pope by the
cultivate these witnesses of faith.”                                 look at this wonderful work of art           “My primary responsibility as a        College Rector and His Holiness spoke
   The second initiative is to offer                                 which reflects the call to priesthood,”   seminary formater is to be as good a      words of encouragement for the
training to anyone interested in                                     he said. “A priest is first and           role model as possible, and I can         important job with which Father James
speaking on specific topics                                          foremost a disciple, a follower of        only do this with the help of God’s       has been entrusted.
regarding Church teaching and the                                    Christ and with every other disciple      grace.                                       “It was a wonderful opportunity to be
challenges of society.                                               he shares the vocation to holiness.”         “When I arrived in Rome two years      able to encounter in a direct way the
   “We need people to speak on                                          Father James’ admiration for the       ago it was a bit like coming back to      successor to St Peter,” he said.
behalf of the Church,” Chris                                         1599 masterpiece reflects his             my old school as a teacher because           “To hear words of encouragment from
asserted, “especially in areas of                                    absolute commitment to his work in        I had spent seven happy years as a        the Holy Father and to meet priests and
controversy where issues can be                                      assisting in the formation of future      seminarian at the Venerable English       seminarians from all over the world trying
highly emotive and pushed                                            priests of England and Wales.             College starting in 2003.”                to follow God’s will for them have both
aggressively by secular society.                                        As a member of the formation              In fact the summons to become          enriched my own personal life of faith and
   “The Church has a real                                            staff at the Venerable English College    Academic Tutor in Rome came as a          challenged me to respond more radically to
contribution to make” he                                             he has oversight of the academic          surprise to Father James, who had         the call to follow the Lord.
continued, “therefore we want to                                     component of the formation of the         spent three years as a priest in             “Faith is a gift. In order for it to grow, it
offer our faithful the training to                                   seminarians who all attend classes at     Jersey and then four years working        needs to be shared with others.” ■
enter this dialogue on the secular
stage”.
   Thirdly, the department invites
those working in the areas of
communications, media and
creative design, to form part of a
think-tank. “We’re seeking
innovative ways of telling the
stories of the people of the diocese
because ultimately it’s people who
inspire other people.
   “We recognise that across the
diocese there are many with
charisms and gifts who, through
their professional skills, could be a
vital help in generating ideas and
new ways forward, to fulfil our
vision of ‘bringing people closer to
Jesus Christ through his Church’.”      Father James McAuley                                    Caravaggio’s masterpiece
   To get involved with any of these    pictured in Rome with                                   painting The Calling of St
initiatives, please contact the         St Peter’s Basilica in                                     Matthew which Father
                                        the background.                                            James regularly views.          The Venerable English College in Rome where
communications team: media@                                                                                                        Father James is an Academic Tutor.
portsmouthdiocese.org.uk ■

18   Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                       Viva Voce Easter 2019             19
Diocesan pilgrims drawn to                                                                                                           SCAN PHOTO

Mentoring support for married                                                                                                                                                                                              LOURDES                                                                                    TO SEE VIDEO

couples is based on Christ’s love
             BA Shields and her team
 A           have put into place a
             dynamic, multi-faceted
initiative, providing much needed
support to married couples and
family life throughout the diocese.
    The team have been far and
wide, inviting everyone from
engaged couples, to seasoned
married couples, couples trying for
a child and even grandparents, to
take part in the programme, which
finds its roots firmly in the love of
Christ.
    A series of ministries have been
established looking at all the
different aspects of family life – all of
which are critical to the Church.
    They start with a sacramental
marriage preparation programme
called Smart Loving aimed at those
getting ready for a life together.
    “In an age where one in two
marriages end in divorce we bring
people back to the start to the
origins of love and marriage,”
explains Aba, the Marriage and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           A bird’s eye view of the
Family Project Worker for the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Lourdes basilique set in
Diocese. “We look at it from the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     the foothills of the Pyrenees.
perspective of God’s ideas on the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Photo courtesy of Père Igor.
subject rather than man’s.
    “We look at Jesus on the
cross and the intense love he
demonstrated when he died for us.
                                                “”
                                                The wonderful thing is that                                                                                       Young people to play pivotal role on spiritual journey
Married Christian love is based on
                                                those who deliver the course are                                                                                             IFTY young faithful have taken up the            “The young people’s desire is to serve the Lord
Christ’s love for the Church and for
us and that is what we convey.”
    The programme is delivered at               strengthened too – simply by talking
                                                                                                                                               Marriage and
                                                                                                                                             Family Project
                                                                                                                                                                   F         invitation of Bishop Philip to host this
                                                                                                                                                                             year’s diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           by serving their neighbour.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The aim of the pilgrimage is twofold. “We hope
                                                                                                                                                Worker Aba            The young people themselves are tasked with          that it will allow the young people to grow in their
regular sessions which take place
at parishes around the diocese.                 about the things which made their                                                           Shields pictured
                                                                                                                                                in St John’s
                                                                                                                                                                  inviting everyone in the diocese to join their journey
                                                                                                                                                                  to the grotto of Massabielle, where Our Lady
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           love of the Lord, of the Church, and give them a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           greater understanding of the commandment ‘Love
As well as being able to attend                                                                                                                   Cathedral,
face-to face people can also get                marriage strong in the first place.                                                             Portsmouth.       appeared to little Bernadette all those years ago.       Thy Neighbour,’” Father Smith explained.
                                                                                                                                                                  The invitation goes out in particular to the VIPs –         “Also, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus,
involved online via webcam.
                                                                                                                                                                  those carrying Christ’s cross through sickness and       we hope that the pilgrims will recognise Christ in
    The programme is split into
                                                                                                                                                                  infirmity.                                               their young neighbours who are reaching out to
seven different sections which are          marriage strong in the first place.”   and other ways of making the bond      contribution to the family, Church
                                                                                                                                                                      The customary activities of the pilgrimage will be   serve them, and experience a strengthening and
mission to love, dialogue, knowing             In addition to Smart Loving, a      stronger.”                             and society are as important now
                                                                                                                                                                  on in full force: liturgies, baths, torchlight           renewal in the vibrancy and joy that our youth will
me-knowing you, building unity, sex         marriage enrichment programme             Other programmes include            as they have ever been.
                                                                                                                                                                  procession, Eucharistic procession etc. But in           bring to the liturgies.”
as a sacred embrace, soulmates for          has been set up to help couples get    natural fertility awareness and          “They have a huge role in their
                                                                                                                                                                  addition, there will be a time of daily catechesis for      So far, around 60 people have booked on to this
life and natural fertility awareness        the most out of life together. This    planning, which helps couples          families in terms of praying, showing
                                                                                                                                                                  all the pilgrims, led by the young people.               summer’s pilgrimage which takes place from July
and planning.                               includes enrichment days, retreats     understand further the physiology      the way and passing on our faith.”
                                                                                                                                                                      This youth-focused pilgrimage is “based on the       24 to 30 and includes travel, hotel accommodation
    Aba said: “We use mentor                and support groups.                    of their bodies and enjoy intimacy
                                                                                                                                                                  vision for new evangelisation” said Father PJ Smith,     and meals. The pilgrimage will be led by Bishop
couples to deliver the sessions – so           Aba added: “This may help           and sexual embrace in line with
                                                                                                                           ■ Courses for all the different        Head of Educational Chaplaincies.                        Philip and Father PJ and supported by members of
they can draw from their own                couples who are in difficulty, where   the scriptures.
                                                                                                                           programmes are held regularly              “While it contains all the elements of the           the Youth Ministry team and as well as several
experiences to help other couples           there is a gridlock in communication      There is also the Catholic
                                                                                                                           around the diocese. To find out        traditional pilgrimage that we all know and love, it     members of the Fellowship of Christian University
as they begin their journey.                or where one party feels there is a    Grandparents Association, which
                                                                                                                           more visit portsmouthdiocese.          also has this notion of incarnational relationship,      Students.
    “The wonderful thing is that those      problem but the other doesn’t.         aims to unite people by the same
                                                                                                                           org.uk/marriage or email               namely, that the relationship we have with the Lord      ■ For more details or to book a place contact
who deliver the course are                     “We encourage self-examination      goal – doing the very best for their                                                                                                                                                           Grotto of Massabielle at Lourdes.
                                                                                                                           Aba at mandfl@portsmouth               strengthens the relationship we have with our            Father PJ Smith on 07780 221686 or email               Photo courtesy of Manuel González
strengthened too simply – by talking        and discussion of what brought the     children and grandchildren.
                                                                                                                           diocese.org.uk                         neighbour.                                               lourdes@portsmouth diocese.org.uk                      Olaechea y Franco.
about the things which made their           couple together in the first place        Aba added: “Grandparents’ vital

 20     Viva Voce Easter 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Viva Voce Easter 2019               21
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