Dear Parishioners,

We have already reported on the Bishop’s policy document concerning the Permanent Diaconate and Confirmation. Today we begin to look at Baptism

The general principle: “Good preparation for Baptism is essential and can also have very positive benefits for the parents of the child being baptised, often being the opportunity to bring them back to a committed practice of their faith. We must seek to provide for the best catechesis and preparation for this sacrament, in all our parishes.”

To ensure this, children must be baptised in the parish in which they live but if for good reason, such as regularly attending Mass elsewhere, parents ask for baptism in another parish, they must obtain a letter of permission from their parish priest.

Each parish is asked to recruit a number of parishioners who will offer a warm welcome to parents when they come along to arrange a baptism, to record their details and share with the family the importance of their commitment to bring their children up in the practice of the faith.

Following the initial welcome, parents will attend a baptism preparation course along with the godparents.

One godparent must be a practising Catholic! The other may be a baptised Christian of another denomination. This is important because the godparents need to be people of living Christian faith so that they may be examples of faith in practice and an encouragement in faith to the child and its parents.

Practice of the faith includes regular attendance at Sunday mass. Catholics are obliged to attend Mass every Sunday, except when prevented for grave reason! Sadly, there are many children in our primary school who would love to come to Mass but are prevented from doing so because their parents will not bring them. The Bishop writes: “As an indication of the parents’ willingness to embrace the call to live as part of the Church, it should be required that they, or at least the Catholic parent, attend Mass for at least six Sundays in preparation for baptism.” However, where there is a willingness to do this but also genuine serious difficulties (work commitments, single parent, illness etc) then the situation can be discussed with the priest.

Other requirements for Baptism will be dealt with next week. Meanwhile if you have difficulties with any of these issues then please do speak with me or Fr Kevin.

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

In the month of November when Catholics remember and pray for their deceased family, friends and neighbours, our Bishops have launched a new website that offers help and support to those grappling with issues around the meaning of dying and death. It features real-life stories about dealing with the journey through death to eternal life. It is called, The Art of Dying Well (from the ancient Latin name Ars Moriendi) and is drawn from Catholicism’s rich treasury of resources and reflections as well as consulting with experts and professionals in palliative care, ethics, chaplaincy, history and the media.

It is found at www.artofdyingwell.org. It will be of particular interest to those who are dying (that’s of all of us!) to family, friends and carers. At the back of each church there are cards with the address of the site and a prayer for the dying.

Last week I dealt with the Bishop’s response to the recent consultation on deacons. Today I quote his decision on Confirmation.
“Having considered all the opinions and arguments, I would like to see the Sacrament of Confirmation celebrated with candidates aged 13 (Year 8) or above, which is within the age range agreed by the Bishops’ Conference. Normally, I would hope to celebrate the Sacrament myself. The precise logistics still need to be worked out but I would prefer to confirm from Easter to the summer school holidays and, if necessary, into the following school term. We might also consider holding some celebrations at the Cathedral or some of the larger churches of the Diocese (such as St. Alban’s, Blackburn) to give the candidates a sense of being part of the larger Church.
“Other details still need to be finalised. The plan is that the invitation to young people to prepare for Confirmation will be addressed by me to them at the end of Year 6 in Primary School with our schools and parishes working together to prepare them for Confirmation over the following two years. Following their confirmation, I hope that schools and parishes and the diocesan team will be able to offer our young people ongoing spiritual formation which focuses on:

• growth in prayer and worship
• the call to ministry
• the call to serve those in need.

In practice, this will mean that the first group of candidates will be invited, before they leave Primary school, in summer 2019, to prepare for Confirmation after Easter 2021”

At Forum on Wednesday we shall consider these and other decisions made by the Bishop following the consultation.

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

Following the headline announcements last week regarding upcoming changes in the diocese, the back page is back!

First the Diaconate. Recalling that 2017 will mark the 50^th anniversary of the establishment the Permanent Diaconate the Bishop writes: “This anniversary offers an appropriate opportunity for us to begin formation for the Permanent Diaconate in our Diocese. In doing so, we can respond to our current pastoral need, and the clear mandate of the Diocesan Consultation, and form men to help animate the missionary dimension of local communities through the ministry of word, sacrifice and charity that is particular to the Diaconate.  This will be a significant help to us – bishop, priests and people – as together we learn how to shape and develop missionary parishes for the future. Introducing the Permanent Diaconate now allows us to learn from fifty years of experience and practice of other dioceses and benefit from hindsight and a wealth of theological reflection and good practice.

At the time of the Council there were those who felt good people were already carrying out the work of this ministry effectively without formal recognition or ordination. The Council Fathers sought to enhance their role through ordination.  Some people still question this as a further clericalization of the Church and wonder whether there is anything that a Permanent Deacon may do which is not already possible for a lay person. Our response should echo the Council Fathers: why deprive the Church of the grace that ordination brings?  Learning from experience in other places, I believe that in our Diocese we can form a complementary relationship of collaboration between priests, deacons and people, under the pastoral guidance of the bishop.”

So now the process has begun with consultation and discussions to decide on a strategy of recruitment, selection, training, conditions of service, remuneration and the rest. If you have any thoughts on these matters, then please do submit them to me in writing (hard copy or email) and I shall forward them to Fr Philip Caldwell who is the Bishop’s delegate for these matters.

Finally, November is the month during which in our Catholic tradition we pray for all our dead and request their prayers of us. The last wish of St Monica, mother to the great St Augustine, was “All I ask of you is that, wherever you may be, you should remember me at the altar of the Lord.” During the month of November we should do no less for our deceased family and friends.

Fr John

Dear Parishioners,

On Wednesday Pope Francis again made an appeal on behalf of our planet and the poor, observing that natural disasters could be limited if we would take better care of the environment. He concluded: “Therefore I encourage you to join far-sighted efforts in the protection of our common home.” Well this parish has started by discussing his landmark letter on “The Care of Our Common Home”, Laudato si.

Moving on from last week’s very successful meeting which looked at the introduction to Pope Francis’ letter, this Wednesday we shall look at the first section which asks “What is Happening to Our Common Home?”. We shall divide into three groups, with each group looking at one of three important issues: pollution and climate change; waste of resources; global inequality and how we may combat it.

These issues are important to us all not only as individuals and communities but also as a nation.  Pope Francis has pointed out there are many opinions on the causes of and cures for our current ecological crisis and this is your opportunity to have your say. Each group will look at one issue and then feed back to the groups as a whole for general discussion. This will provide the opportunity for everyone present to share their thoughts and views on these important issues.

We all care about the world around us and the people in it though it is sometimes hard to know and feel how as individuals we can help. This is your chance to listen to Pope Francis’ thoughts, discuss these with others and provide your own views and thoughts.

If you were not able to come to the introduction last week, this does not matter. Each session works independently to the others. We will be looking at all six sections of Pope Francis’ teachings over six evenings between now and Lent and you are welcome to come to one or all of the sessions as you are able or wish.

Tea and coffee will be provided as usual from 7:15pm onwards. The meeting will start at 7:30pm and we will finish at 8:30pm. If anyone wishes to continue the discussion for a little longer, they are more than welcome to do so.  The session will finish with St Francis’ inspirational Laudato si song which, if you have not yet heard it, is an uplifting, foot tapping, inspirational hymn. Some were left humming the tune all week!

So come along and have your say on these important issues.

Fr John

(Download Laudato Si here…)

Dear Parishioners,

The last Parish Forum accepted a proposal that we launch an occasional parish walk following Sunday Mass. As both on this and next Sunday I will celebrate the 10am Mass in Dunsop, we shall launch the first walk next Sunday 16^th October, with a six mile romp around and over Hodder Bank Fell. For those who prefer a shorter walk there is the option of a 3 mile ramble up and down the river Hodder. The land is very wet, so whichever walk you wish to join you must wear either boots or wellies. We shall start after the 10am Mass and call in to Puddle Ducks on our return to Dunsop where as a group we can discuss the possibility of an outing in early December. Do come and join us.

The parish group that went on retreat recently report:
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we all long for a chance to step aside for a while. This we did two weeks ago at Craig Lodge in Scotland. The Craig Lodge Community is group of people who have chosen to walk the path of the Gospel together through prayer, service and evangelisation in honour of Our Lady, Queen of Peace.  It is also the home of ‘Mary’s Meals’. Nine parishioners attended a retreat given there by Fr. Kevin.  A few from Scotland and Ireland also joined with us.

We received a wonderful reception from the staff at the Lodge, many of whom were young people committed to serve for one year in the community to do domestic chores, spend the time in the service of others and take an active part in the religious life of the Lodge They were an inspiration.  Nothing was too much trouble for them.

There was the opportunity for us to join in the spiritual life of the community at Mass, the rosary and other devotions.  There was also time for walking in the surrounding countryside or just simply relaxing.

Fr. Kevin enthused us with prayer, poetry, parable and praise, not only in discussion but in music, with his own musical compositions and his own accompaniment. What an amazing writing experience of faith, fellowship and friendship, as we grew in compassion and understanding through our writings. Thank you Fr. Kevin. Also thank you for driving the minibus!

If anyone gets the opportunity to attend a similar retreat – take it.  You will not regret it. For further details, visit their website at www.craiglodge.org Leaflets are also available in the church porch.

Fr John