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The Ecumenical Friends of Fátima Association (EFFA) ‘Father, may they all be one, just as you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.’ John 17: 21 A Comment on Fatima 2009 from the Priest Director The May 2009 pilgrimage, led by Bishop Edwin Barnes included 13 priests, 1 deacon, 23 lay people and 1 religious. Bishop Edwin preached at the end of the pilgrimage and three key note addresses on the theme "Our Lady, inspiration for the (a) the Religious Life (b) for parish life and work and (c) for Christian Unity. These three excellent addresses were given by Sister Jean Mary, Dr. Gill James and Mr Christopher Daubney. Our Association (EFFA) donated 2000 Euros to hep with the Vida e Paz Community for its work amongst those caught up in drug addiction. The pilgrimage was spread over 10 days - 12 pilgrims from Worksop (Friday to Friday) and others from Monday to Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the whole group were together for the three key note addresses. On Wednesday 13th Bishop Edwin and the clergy were welcomed as 'Ecumenical Visitors' and joined in the great procession from the Capelinha to the Basilica steps where we were seated with the concelebrating priests (2 or 3 hundred of them) immediately behind the presiding cardinal - and the image of Our Lady of Fatima. A wonderful and privileged occasion. To look out to half a million people was something not to be forgotten. We had a glorious day by the sea at Nazare - some went out to lunch - some went for a paddle in the sea - some walked with their packed lunches. It was a hot day. Mass was said each day - twice in the Vida e Paz chapel - other days in chapels in the Sanctuary or the Verbo Divino chapel or Sao Paula chapel. Recent discussions have drawn comparisons with Walsingham and Lourdes. Walsingham being national - Lourdes being international - for Fatima - a term which seems to be coming into vogue is "global" - drawing people from Germany, Italy, Poland, Ireland, and many countries from beyond what once was the Berlin Wall. Shrines of Fatima can be found in many eastern countries, including Russia, China and Japan to mention three such places. Yes, 'Global" seems to be the right description for this place which Pope John called 'the Altar of the world'. A week in Fatima is packed with (real) religion and fun with so many fellow (catholic) Christians is an experience of some great worth. Nothing is ever the same again. To have such fun together as a group does a lot to help us overcome the ecclesiastical difficulties we have in our own country. Next years pilgrimage will be from Monday 10th to Monday 17th May 2010. Details from Father Gray. Don't be one of those people who say "I've never been to Fatima". To make such a claim is to say you have never lived!! Come and see and see what Our Lady of Fatima does for you. EFFA Festival 2009 September 12th 2009 at S.Nicholas Plumstead
The Ecumenical Friends of Fátima Association was inaugurated and consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima on Tuesday, 15th May 2001 by the Right Reverend Edwin Barnes, Bishop of Richborough and first Episcopal President of The Association, in the presence of His Excellency Serafim de Sousa Ferreira e Silva, Bishop of Leiria- Fátima.	Inside the new Church
EFFA promotes the worship of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, through encouraging devotion to the Most Holy Virgin especially under her title of Our Lady of Fátima. works for the re-union of all Christians under the patronage of Mary, Mother of the Church. organises pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima in Portugal. supports local festivals in dioceses and parishes in honour of Our Lady of Fátima. encourages personal prayer amongst its members to Our Lady of Fátima, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Belonging to EFFA Membership is open to all those who accept the traditional catholic understanding of the three-fold ministry and the seven sacraments. Members form a Living Rosary At present there are 97 members. EFFA AND THE VIDA E PAZ COMMUNITY The Comunidade Vida e Paz (the Community of Life and Peace) runs a centre just outside Fátima for the rehabilitation of drug addicts. From its outset, the founding members of EFFA did not want it just to be a pious club but wanted a serious social and practical commitment as well. This was discussed with Bishop Seraphim, and he suggested we could support this charity which is one of his own favourite charities in Fátima. After an exploratory visit, the members on pilgrimage that year (2002) were really impressed by the work that was being done by the Community, and decided to adopt it as the practical expression of EFFA’s apostolate. Each year we make a practical contribution to the life of the community, and support it with our prayers. So far donations have totalled just under £8,000. Sometimes this has been spent simply to help with the day-to-day running costs of the community, sometimes it has gone towards special projects.
In 2004 our gift went towards the Community’s Apartment of Reinsertion, (a Half-Way House) in the city of Leiria (about 25 kms from Fatima). It gives them the opportunity to experience “real life” once again, but having the Centre totally supportive in the background. In 2007 the Community applied our donation towards a new sculpture – a massive figure of Our Lady which stands on the porch of the chapel and dominates the main piazza and entrance to the Centre. In 2008, the money contributed to re-paving the garden area in front of the chapel. This year's contribution will be put towards updating their computer system Every pilgrimage enjoys the privilege of saying mass in the Centre’s chapel, which lies at the heart of the community. The Centre is concerned with the body, soul and spirit of its residents. At the entrance to the Chapel there is large ceramic roundel which highlights the three aspects of the community’s life: “compassion”, “adoration” and “evangelisation” • Compassion is seen within the community as people are weaned off drug dependency. • Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is becoming a real part of the day to day life in the community chapel. • Evangelism takes the form of teaching the faith, simply because that is part of that wholeness of life meant for everyone.	Vide e paz - outside the chapel Bishop Keith Newton presideing at Benediction
In such a spirit of prayer with and for each other lies our strength and the depth of our commitment to the call of Our Lady to make sacrifices for the sake of others. It is in this spirit that the Ecumenical Friends of Fátima Association is both honoured and humbled to be able to support the work of the Comunidade Vida e Paz at Fátima.