Storm Desmond hit the north-west of England on December 5, causing heavy rain and flooding across the region. Two people lost their lives, 5,000 homes were flooded, roads were closed across Cumbria and Lancashire and dozens of people moved into shelter after their homes were flooded. Carlisle United’s Brunton Park ground was so flooded that three koi carp were seen swimming in the goalmouth.
Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, said in a statement last week: “Having learnt of the devastating effects caused in the North of England and in Cumbria in particular by Storm Desmond in these last days, I should like to convey to you and your people, along with the civic authorities and support services, the closeness of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and my personal sympathy at this time.”
He added: “I wish to assure you of my prayers for those who have tragically lost their homes or been injured, as well as for their relatives and friends. May the Lord grant them comfort and strength in facing the future.”
A Mass on December 8 to celebrate the opening of the Year of Mercy at Lancaster Cathedral was cancelled due to the storm. In a statement Bishop Michael Campbell of Lancaster offered his sympathies to those affected.
He said: “My heart goes out in particular to those of you who now have had to endure such upheaval and destruction for the second time in recent years. I know that the wonderful spirit of community solidarity which sustained you then, will again give you the courage and determination to meet and deal with the present dreadful adversity.”
Bishop Campbell also offered his gratitude to radio stations, power companies and emergency services in the area “for their unstinting work”.
In addition to thoughts and prayers, the bishop encouraged Catholics in the diocese to donate to the Cumbria Community Foundation, which has so far raised £1.1million for the affected areas.
In Carlisle, where the worst of the damage was done, one Catholic school was left with severe damage after water rose to seven feet. Newman Catholic school lost all its RE textbooks and equipment after the flood hit last weekend. Michael Merrick, an RE teacher at the school said: “Our chapel, dedicated last year by Bishop Michael Campbell and where we are fortunate enough to have the Blessed Sacrament permanently reserved, has been destroyed – everything from flooring and lighting, to vestments and altar linens, to sanctuary lamps and Mass handouts, to artwork and our much-cherished reed organ.”
He added: “Our experience has been, in many ways, tragic – but it compels us to redouble our efforts and orient ourselves toward service, with Christ the foundation stone upon which the bricks and mortar, which we will be putting back together over the next few months, is truly built.” Anyone wishing to help the school can email [email protected].
Landmark church wins grant to fix leaking roof
Two Catholic churches have received grants for repairs from the National Churches Trust.
St Joseph’s church in Burslem, Staffordshire, an arts and crafts church built by unemployed men in the 1920s, has been awarded £40,000 to fix its leaking roof.
St Joseph’s, dubbed “the church of genuflexions” by Potteries author Arnold Bennett, had already received £100,000 via the Government’s roof repair scheme earlier this year. Work on the roof has now started.
The other Catholic church to win a grant, St Bride’s in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, is a 1960s brutalist church building. It has also been given £40,000.
Fr Christopher Miller, parish priest at St Joseph’s, said: “We are delighted that St Joseph’s Catholic church has been awarded a £40,000 National Churches Trust Cornerstone Grant. An ambitious design of the 1920s, much of the interior decoration was carried out by local volunteers under the supervision of Gordon Forsyth, director of the local school of art.
The church is an important local landmark in an area of deprivation and has suffered neglect over recent years.
This funding will allow us to complete the urgent roof repairs and secure the exterior fabric of the building. Once this phase of work has been completed we would like to turn our attention to developing our facilities available and improving access to church.”
Huw Edwards, vice-president of the National Churches Trust, said: “I’m delighted that this Christmas the future of 29 churches and chapels is being safeguarded by National
Homeless charity wins grant
Catholic homeless charity Caritas Anchor House has been awarded £300,000 by the Big Lottery Fund to help homeless people enter education and employment. Last year the charity helped 27 per cent of its residents find a job, nearly double the average of 14 per cent for the homeless sector. Chief executive Keith Fernett said the funding would help to improve the prospects of more people in the area.
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