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Issue 268 April 2019
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Official Newspaper of the Archdiocese of CardiffNewyddiadur Swyddogol Esgobaeth Caerdydd
New Catholics welcomed in Celebration of ElectionPages 4/5
Welsh Catholic rugbycoach admits he didnot pray for a winPage 3
Catholic youth event fires missionary enthusiasm!
By Christian Mahoney
Flame 2019 was held at Wembley Arena on2nd March. The event follows the greatsuccess of Flame 2017 and is the largestCatholic youth event in the UK and Ireland.
An amazing 8,000 young people gatheredtogether to celebrate their faith and witnesstheir love of the person of Jesus Christ. Thetheme of the event was ‘significance.’ In aworld where young people are judgedaccording to Instagram likes and Facebookupdates, the event proposed an entirelydifferent way of thinking. The young peoplewere invited to see themselves as the belovedof God with each young person having auniquely ‘significant’ mission in life.
Inspirational talks were given by Jean Vanierof L’Arche, Archbishop Eamon Martin, RobertMadu, Emma Borquaye (creator of ‘Girl gotFaith’) and Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Fantasticmusic was provided by artists such as TimHughes with songs such as ‘here I am toworship,’ and the rapper Guvna B.
The Archdiocese of Cardiff was represented
by young people from throughout Newport, theschools of St Richard Gwyn and CardinalNewman, St Mary’s Bridgend youth club andyoung people from throughout Cardiff. Over 60young people plus volunteers participated fromthe Archdiocese.
The young people returned to their schoolsand parishes as the best missionaries as theyshare their experiences with their generation.Perhaps one of the most loved catchphrasesof the day was provided by Robert Madu whoinvited the young people despite all thepressures to compare themselves to others to‘stay in their own lane and keep their eyes onJesus rather than constantly looking at otherpeople in other lanes.’
In summary the event was an exhilaratingexperience for the young people and trulyenflamed their hearts. By God’s grace manyvocations will have been awakened particularlyduring the time of Adoration when over 8000young people were still before the EucharisticLord.
More on Flame 2019 0n Page 7
2 CATHOLIC PEOPLE
BEL – Belmont Abbey – The Retreats Secretary - email: [email protected] or tel: 07799 811 646. Allretreats begin with Vespers at 6.00 pm – check-in at Hedley Lodge from mid afternoonLL – Ty Croeso Centre, Llantarnam Abbey, Cwmbran tel: 01633 867317PRC – Pastoral Resources Centre, 910 Newport Road, Rumney, Cardiff tel: 029 20360044St.P – St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Street, Cardiff CF24 3BA
AprilApril 5 Lenten lunch and Talk The Cornerstone 1.30pmApril 7 Lenten Retreat St David's College, CardiffApril 10 Station Mass at St Alban’s, Pontypool 7pm.April 17 Chrism Mass St David's Cathedral, Cardiff 1130amApril 18 Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St David’s Cathedral 6.30pm.19 April Liturgy of the Passion and Death of the Lord, St David’s Cathedral 3pm21 April Mass of Easter Day St David’s Cathedral 11am.
To list Archdiocesan and Deanery Events in this Diary contact: Dr James Campbell-Editor. Archbishop’sHouse, 43 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HD. Tel: (029) 2022 0411 Fax: (029) 2037 9036 Email: [email protected] Articles to be received by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the following month.
ARCHBISHOP GEORGE’S ENGAGEMENTS
APRIL 2019
Sunday 7 10.30 Lenten Retreat St. David’s College
Tuesday 2 Meeting of Diocesan Trustees ABH 9.30
Wednesday 3 Allen Hall, London 11.00
Thursday 4 Parish Visits am and pm
Friday 5 Lenten Lunch and Talk The Cornerstone 1.30
Saturday 6 First Confession St Philip Evens Parish Cardiff 4.00
Sunday 7 Mass at St Philip Evans Parish Cardiff 10.30
Lenten Retreat St. David’s College 12.00
Wednesday 10 Station Mass St. Alban’s Pontypool 7.00
Friday 12 Visit to Turin Shroud Exhibition 1.30
Tuesday 16 University Chaplaincy Dinner Newman Hall 6.00
Wednesday 17 Celebrates Mass of Chrism St David’s Cathedral 11.30
Thursday 18 Mass of the Lord’s Supper St. David’s Cathedral 6.30
Friday 19 Liturgy of the Passion and Death of the Lord 3.00
Saturday 20 Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter 8.30
Sunday 21 Mass of Easter Day Cardiff Prison 9.00
Mass of Easter Day St David’s Cathedral 11.00
Saturday 27 Order of St Lazarus Investure 10.00
Order of St Lazarus Dinner The Cornerstone 6.30
Sunday 28 Confirmation St. Helen’s Parish Barry 10.30
ARCHDIOCESANDIARY OF EVENTS
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Education OfficerCardiff, CF11 9HD
Salary: c £43K per annum for 35 hours per week
We are seeking to appoint to a joint position whichcombines working in a national Welsh role for theCatholic Education Service (0.6 FTE) with workingin education for the Schools Commission of theArchdiocese of Cardiff (0.4 FTE).
The core purpose of the Education Adviser (Wales)role is to provide educational advice to the CES onWelsh education policy; to build good relationshipswith the Welsh Government, Welsh dioceses andother key stakeholders such as the Church inWales. For the Education Officer (Cardiff) it is tolead and support the strategic review of Catholiceducation in the Archdiocese of Cardiff, to provideadvice and support to the Archdiocese oneducational issues; to build good relationships withothers involved in the provision of education in theArchdiocese.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE for both roles include:• Committed to Catholic education, supportive of
the teachings of the Catholic Church and its workin promoting the Common Good.
• Demonstrable, relevant and recent experience ofWelsh education policy in general and theCatholic sector in particular.
• Understanding of issues facing schools with areligious character in Wales and in particular theVoluntary Aided sector.
• Good verbal and written skills.• Ability to manage time effectively and to prioritise
work.The full job description is on the CES Website:http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/about-us/job-vacancy-education-adviser-walesThe role will be based in Cardiff but with some workrequired in other parts of Wales and occasionally inLondon and elsewhere.Applicants should forward a full CV and coveringstatement to: [email protected]
Closing date for applications is Wednesday 3rdApril 2019
Interviews will take place on Thursday 11th April2019 in Cardiff
CAFOD concert first for BelmontAbbeyA special concert will be taking place atBelmont Abbey on 11 April, with studentsfrom St Mary’s High School in Herefordplaying there for the first time.
A fundraising performance usually takesplace at the school each spring during Lent,with all proceeds in aid of CAFOD. However,this year, Abbot Paul Stonham has invited theschool orchestra, ensembles and soloists toperform in the wonderful setting of the abbey.
The performance will give the students agreat opportunity to explore the acoustics ofthe building, as well as providing a musicalfeast for the audience. There will also beincidental music from renowned organistRobert Lucas. Entry is by donation on the door,and all are welcome to the concert, whichbegins at 7.30pm.
Archbishops message of condolence
Having recently spent some days with CardinalJohn Dew, Archbishop of Wellington New Zealand,at a meeting of ICEL in Rome, Archbishop GeorgeStack of Cardiff was able to convey to him in apersonal message the shock and sadness of thepeople of Wales at the outrageous attacks on thetwo mosques in Christchurch.
He asked Cardinal Dew to convey to the Immamsof those mosques and all who have beentraumatised by these atrocities our sympathy andprayers for those who died, for those who havebeen injured and for those who have beenbereaved.
The Archbishop said: “That such violence shouldhave occurred whilst people were attending prayerand worship compounds the tragedy and calls foran ever deeper understanding and reconciliationamongst the many different communities whichmake up our cosmopolitan world”
CATHOLIC PEOPLE 3
Editorial
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Christian persecution in Iraq You can read on page 8 the sterling effortsof the Iraqi Christian community in Walesto raise funds for persecuted communities,not only in their own country but it otherMiddle East countries.
The Iraqi Christian Community in Wales(ICAW) held their now annual Middle EastBreakfast event which raised more than£2,500 to help fellow Christians in Iraq,where Christian persecution is rife in acountry which was one of the early cradlesof Christianity.
But there good causes will benefit,including a primary school in Jordan and amission in Syria.
It was fitting that the event was held inHoly Family Church, Fairwater, where theArchdiocese is housing Syrian refugees.
Well done the Wales Iraqi community!
Winners and losersYou can see on this page an article inwhich the Wales defence coach, ShaunEdwards, spoke at a fund-raising Lentensoup and bread talk in The Cornerstone.
A humble man, Shaun spoke of his faith butsurprised us with the revelation that he didnot pray for a win against Ireland but, as inall his career, he only asked God for achance to compete and service injury.
Wales may have won this game and Irelandwere the losers.
However, the real winner was the greatgame of rugby as shown by the welcomegiven to Irish people attending the Mass atSt David’s Metropolitan Cathedral the nextday.
A great talk by Shaun, with the alldonations going to the Archdiocesesupport for the Syrian refugee families weare hosting.
Editorial Dr James Campbell-Editor. Archbishop’s House, 43Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF119HD Tel: (029) 2022 0411 Fax:(029) 2037 9036 Email:[email protected] andArticles to be received by the20th of the month for inclusionin the following month
Advertising Tel: 0151 7097567Designed & Produced MerseyMirror, Suite 4, PacificChambers, 11-13 VictoriaStreet, Liverpool L2 5QQ. Tel: 0151 709 7567 Fax: 0151707 1678 Email:[email protected] of photographsPlease note photographssubmitted for publication mustbe in jpeg or pdf format. Thosein Word format cannot beaccepted
Your CatholicPeople…
Welsh Catholic rugby coachadmits he did not pray for awin against Ireland Wales beat Ireland 25-7on Saturday 16 March, butthe day before the Walesdefensive coach ShaunEdwards told a Catholicaudience in Cardiff thathe was not praying for awin.
He was talking to them on“Faith in a CompetitiveWorld”.
Shaun admitted that hefelt faith did not oblige himto ask God for a winninggame, but only for thechance to compete andsurvive injury. He said thathis father, also a rugbyleague player, had to retireat the age of 24 with acareer-ending injury.
A lifelong Catholic, onFriday, the day before theWales v Ireland game,Shaun faced a barrage ofquestions from the 120-plusaudience at TheCornerstone, a meetingplace opposite St David’sMetropolitan Cathedral.
When asked why heregularly attended churchhe joked: “I was scared ofmy mam,” adding that whilecaptaining the Wigan RugbyLeague team at the age of21 he was still an altar boy.His mother’s brother was apriest and influenced him.
“The Church has alwaysbeen a part of my life,” hesaid. “It has influenced meon how I do my job as acoach.”
He revealed that he wasnot a coach who shouted atplayers since that really hadan adverse effect. Heshowed compassion forinjured players and that veryday he had spoken to aWelsh international, out ofthe game for severalmonths with a knee injury,to make him still feel part ofthe team and to encouragehim to get better andresume his internationalcareer.
Shaun himself said whenhe was forced to retirethrough injury he was out ofwork for a year-and-a-half.He resumed his rugbycareer as a coach, workingat Wasps before linking upwith WRU head coach
Warren Gatland at Wales.“As a Catholic I still
respect other religions anddo a lot of reading onfaiths,” he said. But headmitted that he was anintuitive coach rather thanan organised one.
He also admitted thatthere were some thingsabout the Catholic Churchhe would like changed butwhen challenged to give anexample, he smiled, saidnothing, and reverted to hisposition as Wales’ defencecoach. You could see whyhe was successful indefence... as the Irish teamfound out to their cost!
George Stack, Archbishopof Cardiff, thanked Shaunfor his talk adding that it
was an inspirational oneand that evening at 6.30pmcelebrated a second StPatrick’s Day Mass followedby an Irish-themed dinner.Archbishop George wasborn in Cork.
The Friday talk was one ofa series of Lenten soup andbread lunches withdonations going to fundseveral Syrian refugeefamilies who are beinghoused and supported inempty diocesan propertiesin the diocese.
On Sunday after theWales v Ireland game therewas an 11am Mass at StDavid’s MetropolitanCathedral in which theCathedral Dean CanonPeter Collins warmlywelcomed Irish people tothe St Patrick’s Day Mass,although he had to say as aWelshman he welcomedthe result. There was afigure of St Patrick,surrounded by appropriategreenery, placed in theSanctuary.
At the conclusion of theMass organist and Master ofChoristers Jeffrey Howardplayed the Irish NationalAnthem heard at the startof the game as a tribute toIrish Catholics attending theMass.
It emphasised the factthat sport is a unitingforce...winners or losers.
Sean Edwards with Archbishop George at the inspirationaltalk given by the Welsh defence coach
Shaun Edwards talks faith on eve of Grand Slam decider for WalesAs the Welsh Rugby Squad made finalpreparations to take on Ireland at thePrincipality Stadium later today, assistantcoach, Shaun Edwards, took a break fromthe training ground yesterday to pop by theCornerstone and talk about his faith, life,and naturally the looming Grand Slamdecider, writes Archbishop George.
Shaun gave the second of six Lenten talkswhilst they enjoyed a Lenten lunch of soup anda bread roll. The Lenten lunches raise moneyfor a charitable cause, which this year is goingtowards the Diocesan Refugee project. In themidst of the build up to the Grand Slam game,Shaun said he welcomed the opportunity tocome and support the work of the Church inthis and other areas of social need anddeprivation.
Humility and honesty were thehallmarks of the Q&A sessionwhich was ably chaired by theDiocesan Rugby Pundit, CanonMichael Evans. Questions rangedfrom his personal outlook on life,on faith and on the challenges ofbeing at the top level of
professional sport. Most telling ofall, perhaps, when asked did hepray for victory, he said his prayerwas always to play fairly and well –and to avoid injury. It was apleasure and a blessing to spend athought provoking and stimulatinglunch with an extraordinary man.
Canon Michael Evans - chaired the talk withhumour and rugby knowledge
4 CATHOLIC PEOPLE
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St David’s MetropolitanCathedral welcomed peopleform all the parishes in the
Archdiocese for the Celebration ofElection.
Proud parents, godparents, childrenbrothers, sisters and other relativeslooked on with pride as ArchbishopGeorge spoke to each individual wishingto enter our Church.
First there was the presentation of theCatechumens who had completed their
period of preparation and were ready,after the celebration of the Scrutinies, tobe allowed to participate in thesacraments of Baptism, Confirmationand the Holy Eucharist.
After affirmation by the godparentsArchbishop George said: Your owngodparents and teachers have spokenin your favour. The Church, in the nameof Christ, accepts their judgement andcalls you to the Easter sacraments.
The Celebration of the Call to
New Catholics welcomed ABOVE: Those called for Continuing Conversion are greeted by Archbishop GeorgeBELOW: Catechumens are welcomed to the Sanctuary.
CATHOLIC PEOPLE 5
in Celebration of Election
The clergy process in to the MassArchbishop George personally greeted every candidate
Continuing Conversionfollowed for those to bereceived into the fullcommunion of the CatholicChurch.
Archbishop asked thegodparents to confirm thattheir godchildren had come toa deeper appreciation of theirBaptism in which they werejoined to Christ his Churchand was answered by a
resounding “They have”.It was a great moment for all
the who participated and forthe Archdiocese to welcomeso many people to the faith.
The Archbishop greetedeach Catechumen andCandidate for ContinuingConversion and, after theservice greeted all thosestreaming out of thecathedral.
6 CATHOLIC PEOPLE
St Mary's celebrates 20th anniversaryOn March 12, 1999, former ParishPriest of St Mary’s Catholic Church,Bridgend, Bishop Edwin Regan,returned to Bridgend to consecrateand bless the newly rebuilt parishchurch. Bishop Edwin was joined byArchbishop Stack to celebrate the20th anniversary of that special day.It was a key moment in the parish’scalendar of events during 2019 tocelebrate the anniversary.
The two Bishops were joined bypriests who have ministered, and areministering, in the parish and deanery,including former parish priest, Fr Isaacand Fr Carlito Reyes, from Swansea
University Catholic Chaplaincy, whocelebrates a monthly Mass for theFilipino community at St Mary’s, alongwith many invited guests andparishioners.
In his homily, Archbishop Stack drewattention to the design and art work ofthe church, and particularly the designconcept of the Pelican, which wasadopted to draw attention to theancient links of the Church withEwenny Priory and, with the ancientsymbolism of the mother Pelicanfeeding her young from her own breast,even further back to the dawn ofChristianity, when the symbol was
applied to Jesus Christ because of theChristian belief that Jesus feeds us withHis own flesh in Holy Communion.
In his introduction to the Mass, parishpriest, Fr Tim McGrath, reminded usthat St Mary’s Catholic Church is asacred space where we encounter theliving presence of Jesus Christ, OurLord. He writes, it is ‘where peoplegather to give thanks and praise toGod, and to be strengthened for ourmission to share the hope, peace andjoy of knowing Jesus Christ with allthose we meet. The quiet of silentprayer throughout each day as peoplecome to the church to pray, the
celebration of Mass and the othersacraments, the faith formation andsocial events held in the parish hall,and our outreach to the mostvulnerable in our community, are areminder of the love, peace, and joy ofour Christian faith.’
The social event that followed was anopportunity to catch up with old friends,including Bishop Edwin, former parishpriest Fr Isaac, the artist, Kevin Sinnott,and architect, Kevyn Davies. The Massand social event was a wonderfulcelebration of parish life and of the partthe parish church plays in thecommunity of Bridgend.
Archbishop Stack cuts the anniversary cake! Alongside Parish Priest, Fr Tim McGrath, Deacon PhilipManghan, former Parish Priests Fr Isaac and Bishop Regan, who consecrated the Church twentyyears ago.
THE SHROUD OF TURIN EXHIBITIONFrom the 6 – 20 April, throughout HolyWeek there will be a uniqueopportunity to visit the Shroud of TurinExhibition which is being held in thechapel at Nazareth House. Openingtimes are from 10.30 am until 5pmeach day. On Sunday, the image ofthe shroud will be on display fromMidday until 5pm. This will be aunique opportunity to see the only lifesize replica of the shroud in the UK.Speaking of the shroud, Pope Francissaid: “The icon of this love is theshroud that, even now, has attractedso many people to Turin. The shrouddraws people to the tormented faceand body of Jesus and, at the sametime, directs people towards the faceof every suffering and unjustlypersecuted person”.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The Chrism Mass will takeplace at St. David’s Cathedralon Wednesday 17 April at11.30 am. This important occasion in thelife of the Diocese is a witnessto the service of the priesthoodand the opportunity for prieststo renew their priestly vows. Thisis even more important duringthis time when we have beenunder such scrutiny both withinand outside the Church. Thepresence of so many of the layfaithful on this joyous occasionis indicative of how much theyvalue the ministry of theirpriests. Lunch will be served inThe Cornerstone following theMass and all priests anddeacons are invited to stay.
The Catholic InsuranceService Ltd has advised theArchdiocese that officialemail addresses should beprovided to all clergy, staffand volunteers working in theDiocese. Only those addresses should beused for diocesan or parishcommunication purposes. Thereare a number of reasons for this,not least the protection ofclergy, staff and volunteers.Official diocesan email accountshave the appropriate controlsand protection necessary toreduce the danger of virusinfection or hacking. Personalemails do not necessarily have
such high levels of protection. Ifa personal email was hackedand the personal data used forparish purposes werecompromised as a result, areportable data breach couldtake place and a fine imposed.The Archdiocese IT supportproviders have set up emailaccounts for all staff andmembers of the clergy, many ofwhom are using the emailsalready. Any member of theclergy who has not yet set up a‘public’ email account ( address:[email protected])please contact David Evans atArchbishop’s House. He willassist in this urgent andimportant responsibility.
The Diocese is now preparingto house its fourth refugeefamily, this time an IraqiChristian family. This work is close to the heart ofPope Francis who encouragesall dioceses and religiouscommunities to ‘welcome thestranger’ into their midst byproviding accommodation insurplus convents andpresbyteries. It also brings to lifethe Bidding Prayers we say eachweek “For the homeless andrefugees and those who areinnocent victims of war andviolence”. The Lenten Alms thisyear will be allocated onceagain to this project which ismuch appreciated, not just bythe families, but by the publicauthorities as well.
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CATHOLIC PEOPLE 7
“Somethingelse is neededin the Churchtoday...”Rev. Daniel J. Stanton
Wembley Arena was recently host to theUK’s national Catholic youth event, Flame,which saw the gathering together of acrowd of over 8,000 young people, topraise God, and, though a series of talksand dramas, to reflect upon an importanttheme which effects the lives of everysingle of them - indeed, the lives of everysingle one of us - significance.
One of the key addresses was given byArchbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop ofArmagh, and Primate of All Ireland. He usedhis recent experience of the Synod on YoungPeople, Faith and Vocational Discernment, tospeak with the young people gathered, theircatechists, and clergy, to reflect upon thecalling to holiness, and the living out of thiscall to holiness in building up the Body ofChrist, the Church, in the societies andcommunities in which they live. At the heart ofhis message, Archbishop Martin said that:
“Something else is needed in our Churchtoday. Let us look to our youth as God’schosen instruments in our Church and in theworld. Through them we look for a newPentecost”.
Echoing the thoughts of the Holy Father,who had recently said at World Youth Day inPanama that, “you, dear young people, are notthe future, but the now of God”, ArchbishopEamon encouraged those who attended of thesignificant place they have in the heart of Godand in the heart of the Church. TheArchbishop challenged the young peoplegathered: “dare to say ‘yes’ to the calling ofGod”.
The young people who had gathered fromthe different parts of the Archdiocese ofCardiff leftFlame encouraged and enthused;encouraged that the faith which they profess,which they try and live out in their lives, isyoung and dynamic. One of the attendeesfrom the Newport group explained howattending Flame had given her a “newperspective”. Jesus is speaking to them. Jesushas a unique plan for each of them. It goeswithout saying that the Flame Conference alsohad a profound impact upon the catechistsand clergy who attended the day. The FlameConference has been a reminder that theChurch is young; age and inexperience shouldnot become barriers in how our young peoplecontribute to proclaiming the Good News, toparticipate in the building up of the Body ofChrist in South Wales: the youth of ourparishes are “... God’s chosen instruments inour
Church”. Those who attended the day hadtheir eyes opened. Like those disciplesmaking the journey toward Emmaus, theparticipants of the day had an encounter: theyrecognised Jesus, in the people who they met,and in His abiding presence with us in theBlessed Sacrament, which concluded the day.
As the groups returned home, to theparishes around the Archdiocese, the questionarose from one of the young people: ‘whathappens next?’. It is a good question, and aquestion with has been asked in differentsphere’s in recent years. Through events such
as Flame and the World Youth Days, ourpeople experience something of the Church,and, as a consequence, experience the callingof the Lord to mission. Our young people needthe time and encouragement to be able todiscern and identify what their own vocation is,and how they are called by the Lord Himself tobuild up the Body of Christ in their parishes,indeed, in the Archdiocese of Cardiff itself.With a clear sense of mission which our youngpeople can identify with and relate to, and thesupport of the community, our young peoplewill become that “new Pentecost” for ourArchdiocese, pouring in renewed fervour andinsight for the faith. It is truly sad that for someof the young people who attended the WorldYouth Day in Krakow, for example, and alsothe many individuals who journey through theConfirmation classes, the faith which wasawakened in those encounters have now beenleft to dampen and fizzle out, discouraged.
The disciples who were journeying to
Emmaus, left immediately to sharethe encounter they had with therisen Lord. Our young people arechallenged with one of the mostdifficult tasks, almost impossible,and that is navigating a secularworld, devoid of God and devoidof the opportunity to encounterGod. Our young people need asafe environment where the seedof faith is able to grow, benurtured and cultivated so that itcan bloom. In a like manner, theirparents, as the primary teachers inthe faith, so often need to begiven the space to encounterJesus for themselves, in the firstinstance, before they can take the
next step and be able andconfident to share their encounterwith their children. Handing on theprecious gift of our faith will onlybe authentic when heart speaksunto heart.
As our young people continue toshare the experience of theirencounter at Flame, let us praythat the graces which theyreceived my continue to bepoured out upon our diocese; thatthey may be encouraged in theirfaith, and given the space to lettheir faith grow; so that, ultimately,that our young people may “dareto say ‘yes’ to the calling of God”.
Pope speaks on dialogue with IslamDuring the flight bringing Pope Francis back to Rome afterhis two-day apostolic visit to Morocco, Francis spent overhalf an hour chatting to reporters and answering questionson different subjects.
Asked what he thinks the consequences of this visit will be forworld peace and dialogue between different cultures, PopeFrancis said “I will say that now there are flowers, the fruits willcome later”.
He expressed satisfaction for having been able to talk aboutpeace, unity and fraternity during the visit to Morocco and alsoduring the previous one to Abu Dhabi, during which he recalledthe important Document on Human Fraternity that he signedtogether with the Grand Iman of Al-Ahzar.
8 CATHOLIC PEOPLE
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Iraqi Christians in Wales raise funds for persecuted communitiesBy Dr Mazin Alfaham, SecretaryThe IRAQI CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION IN WALES (ICAW)
The Iraqi Christian Association in Wales held a Middle EasternBreakfast event in the Hall of the Holy Family Church at Fairwateron Saturday 23rd March 2019.
This was a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast. The aim was to getour community in South Wales together and at the same time to raisefunds for our people in the Middle East.
Those people, at times of peace, would have normally be completelyself sufficient, most being trained and accomplished professionals suchas civil servants, teachers, engineers, nurses, farmers, and otherprofessions.
A wonderful event to raise fundsIt was a wonderful event and we were pleased to be joined bymembers of the Coptic community in South Wales. We share with themmany things but mostly our love of Christ and his Teachings; we alwayssay, ‘We are united in Christ’.
Several members from the local community attended the event andsome who could not do so sent us donations. We are grateful for theirsupport. It is wonderful to feel part of the bigger caring and civilisedsociety.
The event raised more than £2500. There are no expenses. All fooditems were donated and meals were prepared by our members. Ourmain targets are orphanages in Iraq but we also help a primary schoolfor deposed children in Jordan and a mission in Syria.
We continue to pray for Peace in the Middle East.
A delicious meal in aid of persecuted people inthe Middle East
Dr Mazin Alfaham with organiser of the eventLaith Khalaf
“Help to rebuild” pleato Catholic youthThe Catholic patriarchs of the Middle Easthave issued a message urging their Catholicyouth to remain in their homelands and helprebuild the region, hit by strife, persecutionand emigration.
“Be the heart of your countries, the artisans oftheir history, whatever the cruelty of the timesand of men.” This was the encouragement ofthe patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churchesto their young people of the Middle East.
“Faced with the difficulties and challengesyou confront because of the situation in theMiddle East and the haemorrhage of emigrationthat threatens your future and the Christianpresence throughout the East, we stand by youand share your pain,” the Council of CatholicPatriarchs of the East (CPCO) said.
The theme of the meeting was “Youth a Signof Hope in the Middle East Countries.”
The Catholic patriarchs urged the youngpeople to “remain firm in the faith and in theirlands” and at the same time to “contribute tothe construction” of their countries.
“We are a small number,” the patriarchs said,reminding them of Jesus who said they were“salt, light and yeast” and were a Church ofmartyrs.
“Believe and love as God loves all hiscreation,” they exhorted. “Be strong believers inyour love and builders of your lands of originwith all your compatriots, sharing in theirsuffering and sacrifice, to ensure prosperity andlife.”
The Catholic leaders admitted that the veryexistence of Christians in the region was underthreat but the faithful continue “to bear witnessto the Lord Jesus amid a turbulent worldinterrupted by mighty waves.”
