Catholic Truth Society – News

At the close of the Papal General Audience on Wednesday 15th April, Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue (who retires from Lancaster diocese at the end of April) had the opportunity to present Pope Benedict XVI with his two ground-breaking documents – Fit for Mission? Schools and Fit for Mission? Church, both published in an expanded form by CTS and now joined by Fit for Mission? Marriage Preparation course.

The Holy Father departed from the usual protocol and spent quite some time going through both documents with Bishop Patrick, expressing his obvious delight at the wide­-ranging scope of the work.

Bishop Patrick explained to Pope Benedict that these were diocesan documents that concentrated on fostering an authentic Catholic identity in our schools and a correct interpretation of the Second Vatican Council in our parishes. The Bishop stressed that the initiative was an attempt to encourage all to think clearly about what it is to be Catholic today.

He went on to say that the overall objective of Fit for Mission? was to propose practical ways of balancing continuity, in the life of faith, with change in the midst of an increasingly secular world.

Towards the end of their meeting the Holy Father thanked the Bishop for all his work of renewal in the Lancaster Diocese.

Bishop Patrick also presented the Holy Father with a letter briefly introducing the third and final document in the Fit for Mission? series – Fit for Mission? A Marriage Preparation course, which was published by the Catholic Truth Society on the very same day as their meeting in St Peter’s Square.

Bishop O’Donoghue made the following comment:

I am so grateful for having the opportunity to personally explain to the Holy Father what we have being attempting to achieve through our Fit for Mission? initiative in the Diocese of Lancaster. His obvious interest and enthusiasm confirms me in my conviction that over the past two years – despite the difficulties and controversies – we have been on the right track, through the aid of the Holy Spirit.

CTS is delighted to be working again with Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue to publish the final instalment of the acclaimed Fit for Mission? series.

Bishop O’Donoghue, soon to retire from his diocese of Lancaster, recently met with Pope Benedict XVI and was praised by him for this work; this praise has followed that given previously to this series by a number of Vatican congregations.

The new Marriage Preparation Course seeks to combine the wisdom of the Church’s teaching, including recent advances in understanding made under John Paul II, with the experience offered by married couples who live out that teaching. It is also published in 2 forms allowing the course to be adapted both to regular churchgoers, and to those who are less involved with the faith or have little or no knowledge of it.

Samples can be viewed through the CTS website:

DOWNLOAD SAMPLES:
> Introduction from Presenter’s Book
> Session 4 (standard course) from Couple’s Book
> Session 4 (standard course) notes from Presenter’s Book
> Session 4 (Preparation Plus course) from Couple’s Book
> Session 4 (PreparationPlus course) notes from Presenter’s Book

Bishop O’Donoghue commented:

In the weeks leading up to the launch of my new document, Fit for Mission? Marriage: A Preparation Course I have been greatly encouraged by Cardinal Llovera’s commendation of my previous work on Liturgy. The Sacred Liturgy is always the life-blood of the Church, which must always be treated as a precious encounter between the life of God and the life of His people.

My concern is that in a Church where many lapsed and even non-believing Catholics present themselves and their children for the sacraments – for whatever reason – that the sacraments should not be cheapened or treated with disrespect, no matter how unintentionally.

Fit for Mission? Marriage sets out to respect the divine truths communicated by the Rite of Marriage and to respect the couple’s stage of Faith development. It is my hope that the approach pioneered in my Marriage Preparation Course might serve as a template for future sacramental preparation programmes that seek to meet the challenges of the New Evangelisation.

Together we’ve helped to change the lives of prisoners

 We were truly overwhelmed by the generous response to our recent appeal to send Bibles to prisoners!

In just a few months we received gifts to enable us to send over 3000 Bibles to UK prison chaplains; and as you can see from the message below, they are truly grateful for your assistance.

The Bibles for Prisoners appeal is now closed, but we welcome suggestions for future appeals to help specific groups of people who would benefit from sponsored copies of CTS publications. You can also support the full range of CTS’s work by joining as a CTS Member.

Pictured: Mgr Malachy Keegan, Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain with HM Prison Service, with Fergal Martin of CTS and some of the Bibles which donors have sponsored.

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From the Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, HM Prison Service

Dear CTS,

I would like to thank all the CTS members who have, very generously, donated bibles to men and women serving sentences in our prisons. The Word of God has the power to connect us with the Lord of love and truth and forgiveness. Our brothers and sisters in prison deperately need to meet our Lord in his tenderness and wisdom. Reading and reflecting on the Word of God brings new hope and new life.

Recently I met a serving prisoner who had received a free copy of the CTS New Catholic Bible. He had just read Chapter 23 of St Luke’s Gospel and spoke to me about it. He was visibly moved and close to tears because the Word of God written there had just entered his heart and soul. He couldn’t contain his joy after reading the response of Jesus to the good thief, “Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

There are almost 83,000 people held in our prisons in England and Wales. Many are people of Faith. Normally about 16,000 are Catholics. Prison Chaplains care for the needs of prisoners, especially their Faith needs. Increasingly, we are trying to organise support structures for former prisoners, when they leave prison, in the outside world.

If you would like to know more about our work and how you might be able to help, please contact me.
My email address is: malachy.keegan@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

Thank you for all your kindness and support.

Mgr Malachy Keegan