LIFE IN THE NOVITIATE
The sixth in a series of articles by Leo Coshan, describing his experiences testing his vocation in the Societas Verbi Divini (S.V.D. Society of the Divine Word)

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Greetings from Liverpool !
Since the last issue of the "Club News and Views" much has happened. We cempleted the academic year on June 18th. 0ur closing Mass at St. J'oseph;s, Mill Hill was followed by a social in which presentations were made to the successful students whose f'ormal studies ended this year. There were about ten degrees (S.T .B.) and several morediplomas in. Theology and one in Missiology, this last one being to Mill' Hill Sister. Most of the students began to disperse soon after. Amongst us SVDs, some went to their families' homes, others to work, ahd three of us came to Liverpool after having first had a month to spend with relations or friends.

It was around Easter that the Rector called us in and suggested a course in Theology during the summer break. After having completed  the year's study for the 'A' level Religious Studies and in the middle of doing five courses at . the MIL I was somewhat .reluctant  to continue studying tbrough the vacation. But it was put to us that this course which is an essential, would reduce the time towards ordination So we agreed, and here we are.

At the time of writing we are in our third week with another four to go. The course is entitled "Grace". We are looking 'into the meaning of the term and its relevance. The first two weeks we going I through the scriptures, exploring,the concept of the Grace of God found 'in Old  Testament thought and expressidn and its development in the New Testtiment. We are now
examining the Fathers, both Greek and Latin (or Eastern and Western). It is all marvellous retreat material.  But it is more than academic. It is rich nourishment for prayer 

Initially the idea of doing'the course in Liverpool was not an attractive one. But
that was bebecause of my ignorance of what Liverpool was like and I am enjoylng myself and even growing to love this city. Our houae, St. Gregory'e, is in Woolton, on the outsklets of Liverpool proper. It is quite pleasant with a quasi village atmosphere. 

Gateacre, the name of the area arount.here was originally a village. A twenty minute bus ride takes me into town. At present the buses are on a work-to-rule, so there is no guarantee. But before the diepute, whlch is over staff cuts due to econoimy ahd losses, the service was
regular and adequate and compared favourably with Lonnon Transport.

Besides'attending lectures for one hour a day Tuesdays to Fridays we are doing pastorall work of various kinds. Two of the students work with an inner-city project keeping youngsters off the streets. Two others work with the deaf and dumb and the remaining two of us (Brother Peter
and I go twice a week to the Cathedral crypt and help out at "Shelter". This is a hospice for vagrants. We prepare soup and tea. Together with a oouple of slices of bread this provides a meal for all who come from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Usually the bread runs out before the soup. For many who come it is the only meal since breakfast and some perhaps have had ho real breakfast. There Are 23 beds at Shelter for the regulars who need an address for Social Security purposes. The rest of those who come - and on Mondays there are as many as sixty - have to leave 1O p.m. We leave soon after. So far we've made contact with some of the men who are in the main alcoholics. Most of them have broken lives and are wounded by
society, a society which has rejected them because they do not conform to the pressures exerted on them. We try to listen to them. The two hours we spend with them are two hours of sharing which for them, we hope, is a good end to their day, a day of disillusionment and of
hopeless meandering and of being pushed around because of their unattractive appearance. A lot of what they tell us is probably woven out of their fantasies, a dream world that helps them to go on existing as they do. Their dreams are of the past and they have little hope in the existence that for them is life.

Shelter itself grew out of Petrus, a oommunity that sprang from the Simon community. It is voluntary  and a trust. Another house is expected to open in nearby Shaw street. During our evenings at Shelter we have met, apart from those who come for food and shelter, many of
the helpers and workers. As a result we've had an invitation to visit a commercially run doss-house, also in Shaw Street.  This we hope to do before the end of our course here.

In addition to the pastoral work I've been in touch with the Liverpool Catholic Ramblers' Association. The Catholic Directory gave an address where they were said to meet on Thursday evenings, but it turned out to be out-of-date. I almost walked into a Buff'alo Lodge meeting. A letter to the Secretary brought a phonecall giving a veue which turned out to be the latest in a series of temporary premises. However, a welcome was extended to me and an invitation to  accompany a coach-load on a ramble the following Sunday, which I accept.ed. Though three
grades (A, B  and C) were announced, there was just one paarty. The ramble was up a 2,660 foot mountain in Snowdonia, Moel Hebog. It was very enjoyable, but tough, especially for me. And it was wet. We reached the summit after about 3 1/2 hrs, stopping half-way up for a "butty-break" in which we had our packed lunch. That was around 3 p.m. No sooner had we "made"
the top - with me gasping and struggling with tautened leg muscles - than, because of the misty rain and obscured view, we began our descent, returning·the same way. The rain cleared up for a while on the way down, giving us a panoramic glimpse of the valley and town of Beddgelert
ahead. There were 22 of us and I really did enjoy the day, meeting up with many excellent people.

Because of losses due to unfilled coaches, the weekly rambles have been reduced to monthly, and occasionally, fortnightly trips out. The next one is to the Lake District in two week's time. Though a rambling association, many of those who attend on a 'Thursday evening never go
out on a ramble. So, one could call the [the old gestetner had a lapse at this stage and the next few lines did not come out in the printed version]...... It is part of apub, so one may drink beer or spirits and chat or dance to loud music. Total memhership is around 200 which compares about equally with St. Francls?

And So I've come to the end of my latest contribution to our quarterly "News and Views" Before I leave you I would like to comment on the answer to the Bible Quiz that appeared in the last issue, No. 13. on who wrote Paul's letter to the Romans,has for its answer Tertius (Rom16,22)
This is correct. He was the scribe or secretaty who wrote at Paul's dictation. The thought was, of course, Paul's and not Tertius's.

Space prevents me from expending on the subject of Grace, but if you refer to the prayers recommended by St. John Fisher, also appearing in the last issue, you will see much of the doctrine contained in them. I wish all my readers, rambling friends, the Grace and peace of God our Father in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

Continue to walk in the joy of each other

LEO COSHAN, S.V.D.

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