Seafarers are our heroes. Please make a donation for these people who risks their lives across the oceans and seas of the world

Here's a message from Bishop Paul Mason, our Bishop Promoter for England & Wales ahead of Sea Sunday this Sunday 20th December. Please do read it. Now more than ever we need to let seafarers know that they are not forgotten.

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What did you have for breakfast this morning? A banana? A cup of tea or coffee? 

I ask this because it highlights one of the remarkable aspects of the crisis that has gripped us this year. The global trade of goods has continued virtually unaffected. Food continues to arrive in our kitchens from all around the world. Not to mention medicine, medical equipment and any number of other items. 

In fact, 90% of the products in our shops and homes have arrived here by sea and have been brought to us by seafarers. These hardworking men and women who crew container ships, oil tankers, fishing vessels and transporters are among the true frontline heroes of 2020. On Sea Sunday this Sunday (December 20th), we thank God for them, just as we clapped for carers back in the Spring . 

But in the coming week, many seafarers face a miserable, lonely Christmas, thousands of miles away from their families. Right now, around 400,000 seafarers are stranded around the world because of the pandemic. National quarantine rules, airline cancellations and ongoing disruption mean they cannot return home. Many have had their contracts extended again and again, and some have not seen their families for up to a year. Seafarers are exhausted and anxious.

This is a humanitarian crisis, but few outside the maritime sector know about it. As we reflect upon the Nativity scene in the crib, let us remember that some seafarers will miss the birth of their child while stranded at sea this Christmas time. Like all of us, they just  want to be with their loved ones for Christmas. 

This Sea Sunday, I hope you will join with us at Stella Maris to make Christmas special for stranded seafarers. 

Here's how you can help please. 

At Stella Maris, we have chaplains and volunteers working in ports up and down the country and across the world. This week - even on Christmas Day - they will be out, as usual, visiting seafarers on the gangway or dockside. They will (safely) hand out small gifts and provide vital pastoral care. They will provide welfare packages of food and toiletries and faith resources: rosaries, Bibles and prayer books. And they will make videos of Gospel readings and email them out to crews stuck onboard ships. 

But all this can only happen with your support. Today, please, will you do two things? 

Firstly, please remember seafarers in your prayers. Thank God for them and the vital role they play in all our lives, often working in difficult and hazardous conditions and harsh w eat her. 

Secondly, please could you give a donation? Your gift will help seafarers who are stranded and who won't see their families this Christmas. It will show your appreciation for these often-forgotten key workers. And your support will be a generous expression of God's love. You can donate in one of three ways: 

• use the giving envelope provided in churches where available 

• text SEA to 70460 to donate £5 

• give via the website: www.stellamaris.org.uk/donate 

Thank you so much for playing a part this Sea Sunday. We are very grateful for all your support. 

Bishop Paul Mason, 

Bishop Promoter for Stella Maris in England & Wales.

Taken from https://m.facebook.com/StellaMarisOrg/photos/a.10150229689433938/10159231370318938/?type=3

Happy feast of *St Edmund Campion SJ* (1540-1581)

Happy feast of *St Edmund Campion SJ* (1540-1581)

Edmund Campion was born in London on January 25, 1540, received his early education at Christ’s Hospital, and, as the best of the London scholars, was chosen aged thirteen to make the complimentary speech when Queen Mary visited the city. He then attended St John’s College, Oxford, becoming a fellow in 1557 and taking the Oath of Supremacy on the occasion of his degree in 1564. Two years later he welcomed Queen Elizabeth to the university, and won her lasting regard. He was chosen amongst the scholars to lead a public debate in front of the queen. People were now talking of Campion in terms of being a future Archbishop of Canterbury, in the newly established Church of England. Although holding Catholic doctrines, reinforced by his reading of the early Fathers, he received deacon’s orders in the Anglican Church. Inwardly “he took a remorse of conscience and detestation of mind.” Eventually he went to Douai where he was reconciled to the Catholic Church and received the Eucharist that he had denied himself for the last twelve years. The college was a centre of intellectual excellence and Campion found himself reunited with many of his former Oxford friends. His studies completed he left for Rome, travelling on foot and alone in the guise of a poor pilgrim. He then entered a novitiate with the Jesuits, and spent some years in Vienna and Prague.

  In 1580, the Jesuit mission to England began. Campion entered England in the guise of a jewel merchant, and at once began to preach. His presence soon became known to the authorities, not least because of the challenge he made, known as the “Challenge to the Privy Council” to his allies and as “Campion’s Brag” to his enemies. As a result his position became increasingly difficult. He led a hunted life, preaching and ministering to Catholics in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Lancashire. On his way to Norfolk, he stopped at Lyford, near Wantage, where he celebrated Mass and preached both on July 14 and on the following day. Here after a long search he was found in hiding above the gateway. He was taken to London with his arms pinioned and bearing on his hat a paper with the inscription, “Campion, the Seditious Jesuit.” Committed to the Tower of London, he was questioned in the presence (it is said) of Elizabeth, who asked him if he acknowledged her to be the true Queen of England. He replied in the affirmative, and she offered him wealth and dignities, but on condition of rejecting his Catholic faith, which he refused to do.

  He was kept a long time in prison, where he was twice racked, and every effort was made to shake his defiance. He took part in a number of public debates and reportedly conducted himself so easily and readily that he won the admiration of most of the audience. He was indicted at Westminster on a charge of having conspired, along with others, in Rome and Reims to ‘raise a sedition in the realm’ and dethrone the Queen. He was sentenced to death as a traitor. He answered: “In condemning us, you condemn all your own ancestors, all our ancient bishops and kings, all that was once the glory of England — the island of saints, and the most devoted child of the See of Peter.” After spending his last days in prayer he was led with two companions to Tyburn and hanged, drawn and quartered on December 1, 1581, aged 41.

WalesU20 7 ItalyU20 17

Today the Rugby Six Nations has started. Italy U20 has won in Wales: WalesU20 7 - ItalyU20 17.

St David pray for us Happy St David's Day

This is taken from CAFOD http://www.cafod.org.uk

Prayer:
"Saint David,You chose to live a simple life, and helped others whose lives were simple not through choice but circumstances. Pray that I may consider my choices and live more simply in order to make a big difference to others.Show me the way to make small tasks occasions of prayer. Kindle in me a love of God so that in everything I do, I will keep that spirit of prayer.Amen."

Feast Day 1 March
Birthplace Caerfai, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Born Date unknown, around 500
Died 1 March, around 589
Canonised Around 1120 by Pope Callistus II
Patron saint of Wales, vegetarians and poets

The life of St David

The earliest biography that we have about St David was written about 500 years after his death, so it is difficult to know for certain which of the legends and traditions about him are true.
St David is believed to be the son of King Santof South Wales and St Non. He was ordained as a priest, lived as a monk and later became the Bishop of Meneviaand Archbishop of Wales. Tradition teaches that while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land he was consecrated as an archbishop by the Patriarch of Jerusalem. This is also an example of one of St David’s missionary journeys.During his life, St David founded a number of monasteries. The monks were known for eating and drinking very little –water and bread with salt and herbs, perhaps watercress –while ploughing the fields without oxen and looking after the beehives during the day, and praying and studying in the evenings. The monks were not allowed any personal possessions –it was an offence to say “my book”.The monks also provided hospitality, food and clothes to pilgrims, other travellers and people living in poverty in the local community.This simple life meant that David became known as DewiDdyfrwr, David the water drinker. Despite his frugal vegetarian diet, which no doubt included leeks, one of the symbols of Wales, he is reported as being tall and strong.There are many legends about St David. One of the best known is that as he was preaching to a crowd of people, a hill rose up where he was standing so all the people could see him, and a dove landed on his shoulder. This is where the village of LlanddewiBrefiis today. It is also said that he cured his elderly teacher, the monk St Paulinus, of blindness.In his sermon the Sunday before he died, St David said:“Be joyful and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have heard about and seen me do. I will walk the path that our fathers trod before us.”
St David’s body was buried in the grounds of his monastery, where the Cathedral of St David now stands.

Nigel Owens uncovered: The letter that left me in tears and the best player I've ever refereed The official from Mynyddcerrig sets a Six Nations record this weekend

Nigel Owens uncovered: The letter that left me in tears and the best player I've ever refereed

The official from Mynyddcerrig sets a Six Nations record this weekend

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/nigel-owens-uncovered-letter-left-14229027.amp?__twitter_impression=true