‘Don’t forget to pray for me’

‘Don’t forget to pray for me’

By Ronnie Convery

The Pope urged people to examine their lives through the lens of those who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, poverty, or persecution, asking how we can act in solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalised.

“It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathise with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father. This would be a good examination of conscience for all of us wayfarers.”

The Pope called on Christians to examine their daily actions: “Do we stand with our brothers and sisters who are seeking refuge, or do we turn away from them in fear and suspicion?

Patience

“Journeying together… means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded. Let us all walk in the same direction, tending towards the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience.”

“This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs.”

The Pope also used the message to remind Catholics of the need for repentance: “Let us ask ourselves: Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice and fraternity, to care for our common home and in such a way that no one feels excluded?”

He ends his message with a passage written with striking honesty about the approach of death:

“Sisters and brothers, we are sustained in the hope that does not disappoint … It moves the Church to pray for everyone to be saved and to look forward to her being united with Christ, her bridegroom, in the glory of heaven.

“This was the prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila: ‘Hope, O my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one.’”

Archbishop condemns foreign aid cuts

By Ronnie Convery

Archbishop Nolan has expressed ‘incredulity’ that money pledged to help the world’s poorest people has been diverted to spending on armaments by the UK Government.

The Archbishop joined a chorus of voices expressing dismay at the plan to boost defence spending by cutting overseas development funding.

He said: “I am incredulous that foreign aid should be cut and that the poor should be asked to pay the price for increased military spending.

“The way to peace is not for conflicting sides to be armed to the teeth but to seek reconciliation with their enemies.

“The foreign aid budget itself promotes peace by helping to relieve poverty and stimulate development, thus eradicating some of the underlying causes that can lead to conflict in various parts of the world.

“The UK government should bow its head in shame at abandoning so many who till now have looked to the UK for help.”

Anne Callaghan, SCIAF’s Campaigns and Advocacy Officer expressed similar disgust at the decision:

“SCIAF is absolutely shocked at the announcement that the UK Government will be slashing the UK aid budget by 40% to fund defence spending. This is once again balancing budget decisions on the world’s poorest people.

Defence

“The aid budget shouldn’t be treated as a handy piggy-bank for spending for other priorities, including defence spending. UK aid plays a vital role in supporting millions around the world who face extreme poverty, famine, conflict, gender-based violence, and lack of access to basic services like health and education.

“Providing aid is a much cheaper way to try to avoid conflicts from flaring up by investing in peace and security.

“This cut is an enormous strategic own goal. Following in the wake of President Trump’s decision to obliterate USAID, this is not a recipe for restoring the UK’s international standing.

“Rather, this slash and burn approach to UK aid is going to cause widespread devastation.”

The Vatican body which overseas development work around the world has also denounced the decision of the UK Government (and other nations which have slashed aid).

Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, said: “The UK’s decision to cut its aid budget by another 40% is just the latest display of cruel indifference to the poorest billion people in the world who face war, famine and dehumanising poverty.

“This will kill millions and betrays hundreds of millions more who will suffer greatly as a result.”

Sacred Heart’s shining lights of faith

By Brian Swanson

Sacred Heart Cumbernauld was once hailed as the church with the best stained glass windows in Britain – and now they are shining more brightly than ever thanks to new exterior lighting paid for by a generous benefactor.

The exquisitely detailed stained-glass windows depicting the Stations of the Cross were created by artist Sadie McLellan for the opening of the church which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year.

Despite the church once being memorably denounced as a “disused bingo hall’ for its concrete-box appearance, the stained-glass windows have long been a source of pride among parishioners.

It was always planned to install more exterior lighting and that has now been achieved.

It means that parishioners attending Mass inside and those who drive past can both now marvel at the dazzling display.

The windows of Sacred Heart so impressed award-winning Glasgow author Peter Ross that he singled them out in his recent book Steeple Chasing as ‘the best church windows in Britain’ making Sacred Heart, one of 14 modernist Catholic churches built by the architectural practice of Gillespie, Kidd and Coia between 1957 and 1972, the only church in the Archdiocese to feature in the publication.

Deacon Kenny McGeachie, who is based at Sacred Heart, said: “The modern stained glass windows depicting the Stations of the Cross were beautiful anyway but the new light shining through them from the outside, presenting the image of Jesus moving towards his Passion in a radiant and colourful way is nothing short of glorious.”

Parish Priest Father John Campbell said: “Someone once described being in Sacred Heart, especially at sunset, was like sitting inside a jewellery box with the walls covered with colour. I’d say that’s a very fair description – but from the outside who would know?”

‘I’m very proud of the church. Over the years we’ve had countless architects, artists and other people who make a point of coming to the area just to look at these magnificent windows.

“I always tell them to come as the sun is setting which is the very best time to get the full effect – I never get tired of seeing them even after all the years.”

The windows were created by internationally acclaimed stained glass artist Sadie McLellan, who pioneered an innovative technique known as dalle de verre which involved painstakingly setting thousands of pieces of coloured glass into concrete.

Sadie, from Bearsden who died in 2007 aged 92, also created windows for Pluscarden Abbey, Glasgow Cathedral, The Robin Chapel, Edinburgh, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church Cardonald.

Don’t take your Wee Box for granted this Lent. It really can deliver big change

By Lorraine Currie

“A bomb came in through the roof. When it exploded, I was standing just 10 metres away. I was 17.”  

On the morning of May 2nd, 2002, Luis was sheltering in the church of San Pablo Apóstol in Colombia with his family and hundreds of local people. On all sides, armed men were closing in. The church was surrounded.  

“When the bomb hit the room, everything went dark and smoky,” Luis said.  

“When the darkness lifted, a little boy begged me not to leave him. I picked him up and took him outside. He died in my arms. When I got home, I just cried and cried.”  

Miraculously, Luis’ whole family survived. But 119 others were not so fortunate and perished that day. 

The attack left the church in ruins. But despite the carnage, the ‘mutilated Christ of Bojayá’ – a crucifix of our Lord Jesus – survived, albeit with His arms and legs missing. Today, this striking relic (right) is a powerful symbol of the conflict in Colombia – a reflection of the suffering inflicted on communities, but also a sign of hope, of better things to come.  

 “The role of the Church is to do social work in the poorest communities,” Luis explained, “because, the truth is, the Church is the only organisation that is always here.” 

SCIAF works with Church partners in Chocó, the poorest part of Colombia. Its yellow beaches and soaring rainforests present an idyllic image, but round every corner, behind the smiles, lurks horrific violence. There are drug gangs, armed groups, illegal gold miners. Children are snatched and forced into illicit activity; women and girls are subjected to sexual violence as a weapon of war; and families are turfed out of their homes.  

One of our brave local partners, Fr González, delivers life-changing care so children have safe places to play and recover from conflict. 

“Some of the children we work with have seen their parents killed. One girl was given over to gangs for sexual exploitation, to meet her family’s financial needs,” Fr González said.  

“Another was sexually abused by the armed groups. These atrocities are normal for people in this area.”  

“Through the arts, poetry and music the children can express their feelings. We help them better understand their situation and protect them from dangers. And, most importantly, we have fun together. We’ve seen some big emotional changes in the young people.”  

For this vital work to continue, however, we need your support.  

“We must continue working with the most vulnerable as our children are the future. We’re very grateful to SCIAF and hold them close in our hearts for all that they are doing for us,” added Father González. 

At SCIAF, we believe that no one should be left behind – and that a better world is possible. 

In the world’s poorest places, we bring these beliefs to life by providing emergency care during people’s darkest days, and remaining with communities long after other organisations have gone. In Colombia, this means we help communities to campaign for justice and peace, so that atrocities like the Bojayá bomb don’t ever happen again. It means we tackle the underlying causes of poverty that drive illicit activity, by helping people earn a living.  

Please put your faith into action this Lent and use your WEE BOX to make a BIG CHANGE. With your help, a better world is possible.