SEEKING OUT TRUE WORDS OF GOD

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Seeking out true words of God

I read with interest, Mark W Jaques's letter ("Catholic critic is wide of the mark", Mailbox, March 25).

I was particularly interested in the comment which reads: "It should be understood the Church cannot change divine teachings for convenience."

I agree with this, but while Mr Jacques is referring to the forbidding of contraception, when talking about divine teaching, I am referring to teachings that can be found in God's word, the Bible, not doctrines that have come from men who think their ideas can supercede God's word.

It must seem as though I want to knock the Catholic faith. I don't.What I really want to see is the truthfulness of God's word accurately represented by those who claim to follow the Bible's teachings.

God, in His wisdom inspired the Bible writers to say what they did for good reason.

To try to replace its teachings with the doctrines of men is most unfair to honest-hearted individuals who are earnestly seeking the truthfulness about God. 

Keith Coleman, Ashby

SECULARISM PART OF BIRTH RATE FALL

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Secularism part of birth rate fall

Gerald Danaher ("Global birth rates are down, but are hardly in free-fall", Mailbox, March 15) states: "The Vatican maintains that the use of artificial contraception is a grave sin, while the majority of Catholics – such as myself – believe it is not a sin at all."

If I did not believe in what the Catholic Church teaches, I would not call myself a Catholic. Why follow something you think is a lie?

Mr Danaher is right in pointing to the dramatic fall in fertility rates across western Europe. This has been caused by birth control and virtual abortion on demand.

The population is heading for what Japan already faces by 2055 – a demographic winter, with a huge number of elderly people and a tiny number of young people to support them.

In Leicester, 2,500 babies were aborted in two of our city hospitals in 2011-12. That's more than two comprehensive schools of children who will never live to work, marry and have children of their own.

Despite having a Christian heritage, Europe, including the Catholic countries Mr Danaher cites, is now the most secular continent on the planet.

It is its secularism, not its Christianity, that will lead to its own demographic winter.

Francisca Martinez, Leicester

WELFARE SHAKE-UP IS FUELLING BAD FEELING

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Welfare shake-up is fuelling bad feeling

I am more and more worried about the racism in society today.

A lot of talk on social network sites about the Government's welfare reforms, and their impact on people in the city, contains bad feeling towards immigrants and their families.

I have heard people talking about throwing immigrants on to the streets and denying them help and assistance. This is worrying.

Surely, the Government must be aware of the amount of bad feeling in the country created by its reforms?

These kinds of situations can blow up on the street of our cities.

As for the situation concerning stateless immigrant children dumped on our streets by parents who believe we will not let children starve – don't you believe it. There are thousands of children starving in Britain.

I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think welfare reform is the way to go.

I can only see that hard-working, low-paid families are being put under stress yet again, creating tensions in our communities.

Concerned citizen, address supplied

THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (1,915)

Regular update on the number of pageviews received from different parts of the world in the week just ending.

1. United Kingdom 659
2. United States 610
3. Russia 303
4. Ukraine 94
5. Germany 77
6. France 74
7. Poland 37
8. India 28
9. Spain 18
10. Canada 15

This week's total: 1,915 (last week: 2,161). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's analytics doesn't show the numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country and they don’t show the cumulative total including those additional countries, which is undoubtedly larger than the number shown above.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (i.e. in the last two hours), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time". They're updated each time I look at them.

TEMPLES TO COLLECT FOOD FOR THE POOR

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Temples to collect food for the poor

The city's Sikh community will be collecting thousands of pounds worth of food to help the poor and celebrate Vaisakhi.

The festival of Vaisakhi, when farmers traditionally give thanks for their harvests, takes place on Saturday, April 13.

Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar.

The occasion, which dates back more than 300 years, not only celebrates the Sikh New Year and harvest but also commemorates the establishment of the sacred Khalsa ceremony in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh, when Sikhism was transformed.

At the East Park Road temple, in Leicester, which is attended by up to 25,000 visitors each week, there will be a food drive for the British Red Cross, Fareshare and Leicester's Dawn Centre homeless shelter.

Temple secretary Surinderpal Singh Rai said: "This is a new thing this year, and we're doing it because it's needed in this economic climate.

"Our temple has a kitchen that serves free food to a few hundred needy people each week, so we see the increasing importance of this sort of help.

"Our food drive will just be for packaged, non-perishable things such as rice, beans and cereal, as well as toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrushes.

"I know our community here will be very generous. I'm sure we'll get items worth a total of several thousand pounds."

The temple, which is known as the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, will be holding the food drive in partnership with Oadby Gurdwara.

As well as worshipping, Vaisakhi is a time of the year when selfless service is encouraged.

Simone Connolly, Fareshare's project manager for Leicestershire, said: "This will make a big difference as the food will be distributed to our community groups who help almost 2,000 of the most deprived people in the county.

"We are also very keen to engage with the different communities in Leicestershire, so we're happy to be working with the Sikh temples."

During the food drive, a marquee will be set up as a collection point, outside the East Park Road temple. Food will be collected between 9am and 4pm.

For religious reasons, donations should not include any meat, eggs or alcohol.

The food drive comes the weekend before Leicester's Vaisakhi parade, which will see thousands of Sikhs from across the region joining a colourful parade from Holy Bones, in the city centre, to the East Park Road temple.

It will take place on Sunday, April 21.

Mr Singh Rai said: "I'd expect between 15,000 and 20,000 people will attend, depending on the weather.

"We've had a few wet and cold years recently but on a good day the event gets up to 35,000 people."

MONEY RELEASED TO DRAW UP DETAILED PLANS FOR CATHEDRAL GARDENS SCHEME

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Money released to draw up detailed plans for Cathedral gardens scheme

Money to draw up detailed plans for a revamp of the area outside Leicester Cathedral has been approved by the mayor.

Church leaders and the city council are working together on a £3 million project to develop Cathedral Gardens.

The council has agreed to provide £150,000 so plans and other documents can be completed by July, when the cathedral is expecting decisions on its funding application for the bulk of the projects costs.

The scheme could be completed by next spring, in time for the opening of the Richard III visitor centre, opposite the cathedral, and the reburial of the monarch's remains.

A further £77,000 has been agreed to bring forward work to pedestrianise and improve St Martins and Peacock Lane, along with £33,000 for related project management costs.

Sir Peter said: "By funding this preliminary work now, the project teams will be in the best possible position to complete in time for the opening of the visitor centre.

"We can't afford to miss this unique opportunity to create something the whole city can enjoy and be proud of.

"These projects will provide a wonderful setting for our cathedral and help to make this historic area an even more attractive destination for visitors."

Leicester Civic Society opposed elements of the scheme, such as the near removal of a grade II-listed wall, but planning permission was granted.

Acting Dean of Leicester Cathedral, Canon Barry Naylor, said: "We are delighted and thankful the city council is helping move the Cathedral Gardens project forward quickly.

"This will transform an area which had become a bit of a backwater into an oasis of peace, that is much more welcoming to visitors."

CHINESE CENTRE FORCED TO CLOSE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Chinese centre forced to close

Financial problems have forced the closure of a Chinese community centre.

The building, under Burley's flyover, Leicester, had been a base for thousands of Chinese residents since 1989.

However, Leicester City Council stopped its funding in 2005 and since then the centre's committee has struggled to make ends meet.

Chairman Paul Ng estimated there were between 3,000 and 4,000 Chinese people in Leicester, not including students, and said many relied on the centre and the activities it provided.

While many clubs and groups that used the centre have found alternative venues, the closure of the centre has meant the loss of an advisory service which helped people who struggled with English.

The Chinese New Year celebrations in Humberstone Gate were organised by the centre and will cease.

Mr Ng said: "It's very sad but we can't continue.

"In 2005, we lost our grant, which was then about £50,000 a year and covered our rent, wages and the cost of the luncheon club we run.

"The clubs which used the centre have moved elsewhere and our luncheon club for the elderly will continue temporarily at the Peking restaurant, in Charles Street.

"Our Sunday Chinese school students have all moved to other schools in the city but our major services, such as the day-to-day advisory service to members, will end."

Kung fu instructor Derek Fearson, who has moved his classes to the Peepul Centre, in Orchardson Avenue, Belgrave, said: "I'm gutted. We've been involved with the centre since it opened and do the lion dance at the Chinese New Year celebration each year.

"I know most of the other groups are also in new locations, but it's a shame not to have the centre.

"I'm hoping when the dust settles we can get together and organise something for the Chinese New Year again."

Many of the people who used the centre came to Leicester from Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Most newcomers today are students visiting temporarily from the Chinese mainland.

Evelyn Lee, who was the development officer for the centre for the past two years, said: "There are more Chinese in Leicester than before but most of them are students.

"They have their own services and societies."

PRINCESS ANNE PRESENTS LEICESTER TEACHER WITH OBE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Princess Anne presents Leicester teacher with OBE

A teacher has collected an OBE awarded for services to education and community cohesion in Leicester.

Dipak Kumar Fakey, a teacher at Abbey Primary Community School, in Ellis Avenue, Belgrave, was presented with his medal by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, on March 12.

Mr Fakey runs a Good Values Club at his school on Saturdays. The club is based on Sathya Sai Education in Human Values.

It is based on five human values – truth, love, peace, right-conduct and non-violence.

A number of schools and other educational institutions have adopted the programme.

Mr Fakey said " I found the investiture very thrilling and HRH Princess Royal charming and knowledgeable. She said she knew about the club and was impressed by my work."

THOUSANDS AT OPENING OF HINDU TEMPLE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Thousands at opening of Hindu temple

Thousands of people queued for hours to visit a new Hindu temple.

The Shri Shirdi Sai Baba temple, at the grade II-listed former Guild of Disabled building, in Colton Street, Leicester, is the second of its kind in the UK and follows the teachings of Baba, a Hindu guru born in 1835.

Bhavisha Narotam, 24, from Evington, Leicester, visited with her cousins, who had travelled from London for the opening.

"It has been the most amazing experience," she said.

"It has been a really lovely day and made people remember how important it is to help others.

"When I got to see the Sai Baba statue it was very spiritual and seeing it made me feel very happy.

"It is very significant for me to have this temple in Leicester and I am sure the attendance and donations will really increase.

"People queued from 6am to get in and see the temple. But people do not mind waiting because it is a blessing."

Baba's teachings focus on patience.

Rita Jivanji, 32, from Rushey Mead, Leicester, was one of the volunteers helping to co-ordinate the day.

"It has all gone really well," she said.

"We are very happy to have this temple here and I'm very proud to be here for the opening.

"So many people have come today from all over because they want to see their Baba's temple.

"People are very excited because so many devotees wanted this temple here in Leicester."

Inside the temple a fire was set up in front of a statue of Baba, with offerings placed in the flames.

Families queued up to receive food.

Cousins Dhruvika Durcadas, nine, and Diya Hasmuklal, 10, from Melton Road, Leicester, went to the temple to pray.

Dhruvika said: "We were amazed when we saw inside the temple."Diya said: "We really like it."

The organisation's first temple was opened in Wembley, London, in January 2010.

A member of the management team at the temple said he hoped the opening would spread the message of treating others with politeness and helping the needy, as well as having trust and patience.

The Guild of Disabled building, completed in 1909, is believed to have been the first building in Britain – and possibly the world – to have been designed to be wheelchair-friendly.

CELEBRATING EASTER, WITH BAPTISM & BONNETS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Celebrating Easter, with baptism and bonnets

Worshippers plunged into a freezing outdoor water tank as part of an atmospheric baptism ceremony at dawn to celebrate Easter Sunday.

The build-up to the service began on Saturday, when about 100 people gathered at Leicester Cathedral for an all-night prayer vigil and to remember the Easter story.

Just before dawn, they went outside to light candles from a bonfire, bringing light into the cathedral, before an outdoor baptism as the sun came up.

Kumari Neelam, 43, from Rowlatts Hill, Leicester, was one of eight people to be baptised.

"It was very good and I am feeling very good. I have now gone forward to Jesus Christ, our saviour," she said.

"I am very happy to be baptised and now I feel very free and I feel alive."

Teenager Reese Musk, from Syston, said it was a ceremony he had been looking forward to for a long time.

The 19-year-old said: "Since I was little I have wanted to do this and I just never did.

"Now I have done it, it feels right.

"It was brilliant. I was a bit nervous beforehand – and it was really cold – but as soon as it was happening I was fine."

Ravinder Kaur, 35, from Beaumont Leys, Leicester, was also baptised.

She said: "At the time, lots of things were going through my head.

"My mum was baptised already and she asked me if I wanted to do it.

"I read up about it and my priest asked if I wanted to do it on Easter Sunday and I thought 'yes'."

The service, which began with a bonfire in darkness and ended with the first sunlight, symbolised the Christian belief that Jesus brings light to the world, even in death.

Entering the water and then emerging symbolises resurrection.The ceremony was led by the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens.

"It was a joyous occasion, with eight new Christians making a commitment to follow Jesus Christ after a night of prayer," he said.

"I was particularly encouraged that this included people of other races and different faith backgrounds."

Homemade chicks and carefully-coloured paper eggs adorned hats at an Easter bonnet parade.

Dozens of children made elaborate headgear for the event held at Leicester Market.

Ayaan Khan, from the city centre, made his hat with some help from mum Nishath.

The five-year-old said: "I had to get some things from the shop to help me make it and then stick it all on with some glue.

"I like the sparkling bits that are on the front and the bits that are hanging off.

"I learnt about Easter at school and I know that the Easter bunny will come and give us some Easter eggs and he will hide them and I will have to find where he put them."

Richard Dowsing, six, from Glenfield, made his Easter bonnet,

complete with dangling eggs and a huge chicken, by himself. Even if he did leave mum Bridgette to do the clearing up.

"I cut some eggs out and put some stickers on it and then coloured them in," said Richard.

"I made it all by myself because I love making things. I like it because I like the eggs hanging off my hat and the big chicken, too."

Proud mum Bridgette, said: "He's very creative. Anything to do with arts and crafts, you just set it out and away he goes."

Nine-year-old Lucy Houghton took inspiration from the seaside for her tall Easter hat.

"It has a slide that goes round the hat and then a bit of sea at the bottom," said the youngster, from Hinckley.

"I got the idea from my mum and I have never made a bonnet before.

"I think I might do really well because I think they will like how it pops out – like 3D."

Three children from each category won a bike, paid for by donations from traders.

In the six and under age category the winners were: Rhys Taylor, four, from Syston; Harshiv Naker, five, from Abbey Park, and Gabriella Webster, three, from Saffron Lane.

In the eight to 12 age category the winners were: Jade Owen, nine, from Birstall, Kira, seven, from Braunstone, and Kyil, nine, from Narborough.

There was also Easter family fun at Great Central Railway, which has been holding a vintage festival over the bank holiday weekend.

Quorn and Woodhouse stations were filled with traction engines, steam rollers, showman's and miniature steam engines, steam lorries and other historic commercial vehicles.

One of the star attractions was an 1898 Gavioli fairground organ, on display for the first time since 1923.

There were craft and trade stalls, a children's funfair at Rothley and a real ale tent with live music.