Newsletter

Lancaster

Summer 2014

For the love of .....

. ..... we’ll act on climate change

What’s on your list of things that you love the most?

Your family and friends? The simplicity of new life at spring? A delicious cup of good coffee? Good food? The fresh sea air? A stunning sunset?

The things we love are a real comfort and joy to us.

Climate change is the biggest threat to each of those things we love the most. A recent report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) cites Climate change

as the biggest threat to security, food and humankind we face today. That’s a huge claim and one we can no longer shrug off.

CAFOD is a member of the Climate Coalition, over 100

organisations, representing over 11 million people from the Women’s Institute to The Salvation Army to the RSPB to the National Union of Students – it’s time to act, the love of the things that matter to us the most.

With this newsletter you will find an offline action reflecting

‘For the love of....’ You may wish to complete this yourself or invite others to do so too. More copies of this can be downloaded from the CAFOD website at www.cafod.org.uk/fortheloveof

We invite you to find out more about this and to be part of a growing movement to protect the planet we have been gifted with. Our faith calls us to be in right relationship with our God, with each other and with Creation.

Those things we love are just too important to lose.

As ever, we hold your continuing support with deep gratitude.

Rosa and Patrick

CAFOD Lancaster

For the love of...

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CAFOD on the Run

Huge thanks to John McCann

who completed the London Marathon for CAFOD in April. John, a deacon at Blessed John Henry Newman Parish in

Morecambe, has been running for over 30 years and has completed over 70 marathons – what an amazing record! Thanks also to John’s wife Julie, who’s always

there to show support.

And the best of luck

and our very best wishes to Anna Moir of Our Lady and St Edward’s

Parish in Preston as she trains to run the Yorkshire Marathon for CAFOD in October

Best of luck to student Bethany

Monaghan-Wilson and friends from Cardinal Newman College in Preston who are running the Color Run on 5th July

– a 5k Fun Run in Manchester which involves being sprayed with lots of colour!

The Great Manchester Run was

polished off by Peter Newsham from St Anthony’s Parish in Preston on 18 May. ‘I’m doing it because I can and

because one day I won’t be able to!’ said Peter before the 10k run.

Thanks Peter - we salute you!

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Stand up for the things we love

that are threatened by climate change

Neil Thorns is chair of The Climate Coalition and

Director of Advocacy and Communications at CAFOD

From chocolate and coastlines to bee and butterfly habitats, we need to protect the cherished things that climate change

endangers

I don’t usually expect to be picking my way through seaweed,

pebbles and assorted debris from the sea when I stroll along the promenade in Brighton, but after the recent storms this is what I found as beach and pavement merged into one.

Walking along the seafront is one of the pleasures of living in

Brighton, the commute to London is not. Both were disrupted in the storms, although nothing like the misery caused to people on the Somerset Levels and fellow commuters using the main rail link between Devon and Cornwall. All along the south coast

thousands of seabirds were washed up dead on the shoreline.

We know that these extreme weather events are in line with scientists’ predictions of the impacts of climate change. Now these impacts are being felt on our own doorstep, affecting the everyday things we love and depend on – our homes, our public

transport, our coastlines.

For a long time organisations concerned about climate change have used the large and looming long-term threats to gain attention on this issue. It has created a good movement for

Driftwood and pebbles blown up

from the beach litter Hove

promenade in Brighton on the

south coast of England due to high

winds from a winter storm. Photograph: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images

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change, but any relevant

campaign must move with the times.

In 2005 more than 100 faith, environment,

development and trade union groups came together in an unprecedented partnership to make a stand on climate, and Stop

Climate Chaos was born. Four years later we held The Wave, the biggest climate march this country has ever seen.

But fast forward five years and the world has turned, we have

had one of the most serious economic crises in history with huge impacts on people all around the world. The rush to pull ourselves back into growth has meant the concerns of the poorest people and the planet have not been top priority. Meanwhile the experts have learnt more about how our land and

seas are responding to climate changes and the scientific consensus has strengthened.

We knew that people were concerned about climate change and cared about the things which are all around us but that wasn’t

being translated into a strong voice within our society; so we realised we needed to talk to people about why. Some surprising things emerged. Many of the people we need to reach – those who care but haven’t turned that concern into action – are turned

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off by doom and gloom messages about ice caps

and apocalypse.

They understand the problem, but aren’t motivated to act. So we tried some different approaches, and the one that really resonated was

talking to people about the things they love and cherish and which are threatened by climate change.

There are so many things close to home that we take for granted that have an uncertain future

because of the changing climate. The most important, of course, is our children. But we have been hearing stories about communities in the world’s poorest countries suffering, bees and butterflies whose habitats

are being lost, and even chocolate prices soaring due to loss of plantation land in West Africa.

These, and many more, stories will be told through our campaign and captured on our website at www.cafod.org.uk/fortheloveof

The strength of this partnership is in its extraordinary depth and breadth. When else would we see the Women’s Institute, Oxfam and CAFOD standing shoulder to shoulder with the RSPB, WWF

and Unison on one issue? So we have changed the name to celebrate this – we will now be known as The Climate Coalition.

We have got big plans from online campaigns and

lobbying opportunities to large scale events and public engagement aimed at recapturing the political and media spotlight.

We know that we need to change tack if we are to keep up the momentum needed to wean us off fossil

fuels. As politics and society has changed, our message has also evolved. We will not be sidelined, ignored, placated or put in a convenient political box – the things we love are just too important.

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STEP

INTO

THE

GAP

My time in

Sierra Leone

Neal Gilbride, our gapper, recalls his trip to Sierra Leone

It has been nearly 3 months since I arrived back in the UK from my trip to Sierra Leone with CAFOD.

These 3 months feel like years and I miss the country deeply but I still have my videos, pictures and memories to remind me of what a great time I had.

One of my fondest memories of the trip was staying in a small rural village called Rufenka, just outside Makeni in the north of

the country. We were welcomed with open arms and felt very at home straight away. We were shown the mud house we would sleep in for 2 nights and then whisked away quickly to the neighbouring village to see how the Temne tribe celebrate special

events as a community.

Over these two days I got to know certain people in the community quite well- one being a young boy no older than 5 who didn't speak a word

of English. This young boy spent the whole 3 days following me around, holding my hand, carrying my water and making me smile and although

we come from completely opposite lives I still felt that connection and will never forget our time together.

One of the biggest challenges of my trip was sanitation-

Neal

Neal in

Sierra

Leone

with

little

friend

9

everywhere I looked there was rubbish. It wasn't collected

weekly like in England. If piles of rubbish at the sides of the road or outside someone's house got too big they would burn them giving an awful smell and black cloud of smoke. Sewers were open and often flowed into rivers contaminating them. These

were the same rivers children would play in or wash in and people would collect water for to cook with or even drink. Seeing this kind of poverty really made me value our sanitation system and realise we take for granted even the most basic necessities like clean water.

I visited a community in Kenema to the east of the country in the village of Tissor. We spent 3 days interacting and learning about how they work as a village and the everyday struggles they encounter.

I was lucky enough to spend time with Isaac and we chatted about the recent civil war but I also found out how his life had changed, thanks to CAFOD, through a poultry and fish farming

project.

Isaac, was an ex soldier living in the Tissor community who had a very hard time after the war had finished. He still carries visible and mental scars from the war but through CAFOD he has

become one of 30 beneficiaries of the poultry and fish farming project.

The poultry and fish farming projects have only been up and running for a short time but we could see how excited the

community was about it. With over 500 chickens being delivered shortly before we arrived, everyone was working to keep them healthy so that the eggs they start to lay can be sold at market to give families extra money. This enabled them to send their children to school or buy books and stationery or be able to

afford food during the rainy season when they are unable to harvest.

These farming projects change lives, for the better. It was a privilege to be able to see for myself how CAFOD’s support make

a difference.

Isaac

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St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary

School in Wigton raised the roof when they sang a hymn from Swaziland as part of an assembly when CAFOD received a cheque for

£155. Members of School Council suggested a Bad Hair Day for CAFOD – hope the teachers joined in. And great singing, children of Wigton!

The children of St Peter’s Catholic Primary

School in Lytham raised an amazing £488 through cake sales and a sponsored walk. Walking the walk as well as talking the talk—brilliant!

School News

During Lent schools throughout the Diocese were busy thinking

about how they might put their faith into action. Here are just some of the schools who supported the work of CAFOD during Lent – but a huge thank you to them all!

St Ignatius Catholic Primary School in

Preston held an enterprise day, amongst other activities, and raised £445 during Lent. We love the idea that the children make items which their parents then have to buy!! But for

a good cause, of-course. Children used the CAFOD Stations of the Cross to guide their prayer during Holy Week.

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St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in

Millom raised a fabulous £305 during Lent. They literally ‘dug deep’ by digging over their vegetable beds and planting vegetable seeds donated by the children’s families. They plan

to sell the vegetables. They also had a non-uniform day and a cake sale. Fantastic!

St John Vianney Catholic

Primary School in Blackpool did all sorts for CAFOD: a sponsored silence, which was blissful for the staff, and sponsored cricket as

well as an own clothes day

and a sponsored

Easter Bonnet

Parade.

It all amounted to

an amazing £1,500 for CAFOD.

Wow!

The staff and pupils of St

Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in

Cockermouth did a fun Zumba session and raised

£55 for CAFOD. What a great idea! Many thanks

to you all.

We are doing library

silently!

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Students at Austin Friars St Monica’s School in Carlisle raised £602 through Lent for

CAFOD. What a great achievement!

School News cont’d

Christ the King Maths and Computing College in Preston

held a ‘Feaster Day’ offering sweet and spicy foods for CAFOD. We were

bowled over by the energy and commitment of the 20-strong Charities Group in the school.

They raised a fantastic £507 for CAFOD through Lent. Inspiring stuff!

In Memoriam

Norah Mercer Mary Alice Ibison

Kath Kneen Vincent Grice

Elisabeth Fox Margaret Baron

Thomas Andrew Regan James Duncan Bennett

Grace Aspden

Monique Bennett

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Joe and Patrick tell their MP the

world is hungry for change Preston sixth-form students gave their MP food for thought at a

meeting in Parliament on the issue of global hunger.

Patrick Warren and Joe Meldrum, both year 12 students at Cardinal Newman College in Preston, met Mark Hendrick MP, at a national event in Parliament. The event was organised by CAFOD as part of our Hungry for Change campaign – calling on the Prime Minister to

provide greater support to small-scale farmers, who are being hit first and worst by the effects of climate change.

Patrick and Joe were among thirty-four students from across the country who toured the Houses of Parliament, watched Prime Minis-ter’s Questions, and had a private audience with the Speaker of the

House of Com-

mons. Before visit-ing Parliament, they took part in workshops to learn about how cam-

paigning can make a difference to the decisions taken in Parliament, as well as how they could

use the trip as an opportunity to put their faith into ac-tion.

Patrick said “Our time in Parliament was a valuable insight into how people are represented when it comes to running the country, and

how the process of change for the better happens.”

Mark Hendrick MP explained that there is a monthly 30 minute talk about international aid in Parliament, which can sometimes link to climate change. He considers international aid to be important; he explained that as developing countries grow industrially and gain

more power internationally, it strengthens the UK’s international standing to offer support. Furthermore, he expressed support for

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renewable energies, not only due to their alleviation of climate

change, but also because they lessen the UK’s reliance on other countries for electricity and fuel.

Here are some of Patrick’s thoughts:

Your first impressions of the Houses of Parliament? It very much gave the impression of being the heart of British gov-

ernment - the ornate decoration, high-level security and people in suits rushing everywhere all gave it an air of importance.

A memorable moment at the Houses of Parliament? One of David Cameron’s comments to Ed Miliband during Prime Minister’s Questions: “The honourable gentleman enjoys a game of bingo; it’s the only time he gets close to Number 10”.

A nerve-racking moment? I introduced the group to the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon John Bercow MP and I hadn’t had much time to prepare my speech. ‘Making it up as you go along’ whilst speaking to one of the most important politicians in Parliament was a bit nerve-racking

to say the least!

What will you remember about the experience? Several of the politicians we posed questions to were quick to devi-ate from the subject of the question and go off on a tangent about some vaguely related board they’d been on 10 years ago - you

have to be alert to make sure they’re actually giving you a relevant answer! However, I was surprised by the sincerity of some of the politicians, and their interest in our campaigns; there is hope!

Has it changed your views on anything? Absolutely - I now consider campaigning by the public and by chari-

ties like CAFOD to have much more power than I previously

thought. I do think that we had an effect, however small, on several of the MPs we spoke to, and if enough people do similar work to us, then real change will happen.

Glad you went? Definitely - asides from getting to make a difference at the

heart of British Government, I met lots of great

people from all over the UK and enjoyed their company.

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Parishes & Communities

Thank you to..... Lent 2014

.......Churches Together in

Egremont and District, who organised a series of Lenten Soup Lunches. They took place on Thursdays during Lent at Egremont

Methodist Church. Donations were sent to both Christian Aid and CAFOD.

..........Lancaster Cathedral for

offering a CAFOD Lenten Reflection evening of prayer, readings and song. A time to pause and to pray during Lent.

Almsgiving

Prayer

.......Ss Mary

and James’ Parish in Scorton for hosting a Mass

in memory of Archbishop Oscar Romero, assassinated on

24 March 1980. The parish is connected

to the community of Puentecitos in El Salvador through CAFOD and so it was a fitting venue for this memorial to the inspiring church leader that Romero

was. Fasting

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.....The Catholic

Women’s League in Ulverston for their sup-port and for their generous Lenten donation of £460

Coming soon…

Loaves and Fishes all around Morecambe Bay 7 – 15 June

We invite you to celebrate the wonders of Morecambe Bay, and encourage every coastal community and school between Barrow-in-Furness and Fleetwood to host a ‘Loaves & Fishes’ meal open

to people of all faiths or none, sharing fish, seafood and bread in a shore-side picnic, school meal or parish party.

This will be an opportunity for welcoming those who know little

about the wildlife and culinary delights of the sea and shore, who hesitate to cook and eat together or who cannot afford a decently cooked meal. Will you join us in embracing local communities and our fellow creatures in the sea, against the beautiful backdrop of the Bay?

The week starts with a Blessing on the Beach, with Bishop Michael Campbell joined by other local ecumenical church leaders, on Monday 9 June, at noon, on Arnside Promenade.

Newly caught fish and fresh bread will be blessed after which we will enjoy our own bread and fish picnics in the company of others against the glorious backdrop of Morecambe Bay.

Thank you also to....

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A day in the life of a

Gapper

James Budzynski-Seymour, one of the gappers

based at St Mary’s Catholic College in Blackpool, shares an untypical day in his life

To write down what a day in the life of a Gapper is like is by no means easy, since the words monotony and sameness are far from being the case, rather unexpectedness and difference are;

that is to say each day is different, to use that annoying phrase each day is an adventure. Here at St Mary’s there are six of us in total in the chaplaincy team; the ‘boss’ Mr Stewart, and then our resident ‘mother’ Mrs Higgins, the musical Miss Crutch, the two

Gappers, me and Neal, and then also Mr Gibson who is just mad!!! As a team we all get on really well and there is a great atmosphere- that is, after our morning brew that builds our spirits up.

But what does a normal day in the chaplaincy entail? Well in short there is no normal day, everyday is different. Every student who comes to us is unique and has a different concern, each with a different requirement of need. It is our role and responsibility in the chaplaincy team to be that caring hand; that ear that listens

to whatever problem that is shared to us. There are of course our normal daily duties. Morning Prayer in form groups is a great way in which we Gappers can make ourselves known to the pupils of the school.

I personally have had the privilege of helping out in Rainbows, a group for students who have either gone through bereavement or are having problems with family at home. It is a really rewarding as well as humbling and something that really does open your

STEP

INTO

THE

GAP

James

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eyes; it reminds you that each student coming here to St Mary’s

has their own story, their own problems - not one is the same.

Every week on Thursday lunchtime there is form Mass. One of us chaplains will, prior to Mass, lead that class in Mass preparation where we will explain the Mass and the elements of it, reflect on

the Sunday Gospel and share out jobs from prepping the altar to reading and writing a bidding prayer. Mass itself is celebrated with Fr John Winstanley, and tends to be really informal but it is good that way!

Every Tuesday and Thursday

afternoon I go out to my two local primary school’s that I help out in. I work in the year 6 classes and am

involved with RE lessons and work with small groups with their work.

After my overseas trip to El Salvador, which is another

great aspect of this Gap Year, I had the great opportunity in which I shared my experiences to the students at St. Mary’s as well as the parishioners of the Diocese. I had the chance to speak during the homily slot at

churches. At school I went into morning form where I shared my experiences, as well as leading assemblies to around 220 students per form! I also went into countless numbers of classes ranging from RE to Spanish!!!

The support that we get as Gappers is really important. Not only do we get great support from the chaplaincy team here at St. Mary’s but every Wednesday morning we go to Preston to the CAFOD Lancaster office. There we go through our week’s work with Rosa and Patrick our Diocesan Officers; we log what we have

done as well as catch up over the customary brew!!!

My time so far at St. Mary’s with CAFOD on their ‘Step Into the Gap’ programme has been really rewarding. It has shown me that I really want to work in a school environment, whilst

developing as a young adult with all kinds of ages and people.

James in

El Salvador

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A Celtic Blessing

May you recognise in your life the presence, power and light of your soul.

May you realise that you are never alone,

that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately

with the rhythm of the universe.

May you have respect for your own individuality and difference.

May you realise

that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the façade of your life

there is something beautiful, good and eternal happening.

May you learn to see yourself

with the same delight, pride and expectation with which God sees you in every moment.

John O’Donohue

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CAFOD Lancaster, St. Walburges Centre, St. Walburges Gardens, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2QJ

Tel: 01772 733310

E-mail: lancaster@cafod.org.uk

Web: www.cafod.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter @CAFODLancaster

Diary

Date Event Location & time

7-15 June Loaves and Fishes around Morecambe Bay

Morecambe Bay

Monday

9 June

Blessing on the Beach, followed by picnic-time

Arnside Promenade

Morecambe

12 noon

Saturday

28 June

CAFOS Campaigns Energiser Day

Fulwood Methodist Church

Watling Street Road, Preston

10.30am—4pm

Thursday

3 July

Great Generation Day

for secondary school groups

Christ the King Catholic College, Preston

Friday

3 October

CAFOD Harvest Fast Day

10 year old Elliot from Wythenshawe designed this

winning Fairtrade sock for CAFOD.

Now on sale at The Sock Shop, with 10% of the sales donated to

CAFOD. Available from

www.sockshop.co.uk