PLENTY OF WORK STILL TO BE DONE

                                                                                                           photo by Barbara
The ladies of our Parish are putting their many and varied skills to good use on projects such as the altar backdrop for Easter and the proposed banner for the Hospitality Centre.

TO NAME OR NOT TO NAME?

This week our Blog is not naming its victims, in accordance with the wishes of the majority of those who have so far expressed an opinion, either personally or through the comment facility.   There is still time to tell us what you think, either through comments or by email to blog@gensearch.co.uk

FLOWERS THAT BLOOM IN THE SPRING TRA LA

The skill and patience required to create such a beautiful arrangement .....

These flowers were not born to blush unseen, or waste their sweetness on the desert air.

                               Our apologies to W.S.Gilbert and Thomas Gray, and our thanks to Brian for the photos.  

QUICKSNAP KID CATCHES 'EM IN THE ACT

Walking past Hadleys earlier this week young Jonathan spotted, through the glass door, some activity he thought might be worth recording.    Thanks to his quick thinking it was all over literally in a flash, but he'll have to wait three weeks before he will be allowed to see what the two embarrassed victims of his intrusion into their liberty did eventually buy!






photo by Jonathan

                                                                                                                    cartoon sent in by Gigi

As we had promised, where most of the people in one of the photos in our blog have already been named in an earlier edition we no longer publish a list of their names.      Please let us know whether you approve of this or not, by clicking on the word comments below, and making your views known.    

                                                                                                  Words and illustration by Ros                  

RYLIE JOINS AN EVEN BIGGER FAMILY

Proud parents Wayne and Carolyn Chrisp with godparents Fiona and Andy, carrying baby Rylie Douglas after his baptism, which was conducted by Fr Danny.     Rylie, already part of a lovely family, now also becomes a member of the community of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph, and a child of God.

MORE WOOLIES FOR THE AFRICAN WINTER

                                                                                                                             photo by Rini
The ladies of the Knit and Stitch Club are happy to show us yet another splendid batch of pullovers they have knitted for the Children of the Universe Foundation.

                                                                                                  cartoon supplied by Gigi

DANGER! CAKE DEMOLITION IN PROGRESS!

Please spare a thought this week for the members of the Friendship Club, who have to spend so much time chatting with their friends and then are expected to consume lots of homemade cake!

PARISH ACCOUNTANT GETS JUST DESERTS

The lovely Frances is persuaded with difficulty to pose with her well-deserved papal blessing, awarded for the huge amount of unpaid work she has done keeping the parish accounts going over many years.
                                                                                    photo by Den

RUNNING OUR OFFICE IS KITTEN'S PLAY

                       Newly appointed office volunteer Felix, having mastered the photocopier, tackles the job of opening the daily post.

                                                                                      photo by Frances

THE RISE AND FALL OF PEGGY'S LEGS

No, Peggy, it's not a toy.     You bought it to give your legs a chance to heal!

                                                                                           photo by Frances

HAPPY JANUARY FOR NICKY AND JOHN

February's going to be even more special!

                                                                                                                photo by Frances

MARY HAS CHOSEN THE BETTER PART

                                                                             photo by Barbara
All the rushing about at Christmas, and even now it's over Mary still had to wait until everyone had left so that she could make her steady way up the aisle to spend a few minutes meditating before our lovely crib, which looked even more stunning this year.

NORMAL SERVICE HAS NOW RESUMED .....

Let us hope that our recent enforced abstinence from morning coffee helps us to fully value the effect our Sunday after-Mass get-togethers have on the spirit of our community.   If we love God, if we believe in Jesus Christ, if we trust in the glory revealed in the mystery of Christmas and Epiphany, then we in turn must love one another, so that our daily lives continue to manifest God in our day.     (www.magnificat.com)                                                              

THEY ALSO SERVE WHO ONLY SIT AND COUNT

                                                                         photo by Frances
Another year begins for all the parishioners who work in the Church or the office voluntarily every week.     Without the help he receives from people like Tony and Gale Fr Danny wouldn't be able to carry out all the many duties which he performs at present.

EXCUSE ME, IS THIS THE RIGHT CASTLE?

                                                                                                                       cartoon submitted by Gigi
Our blog differs from some of its contemporaries because it doesn't attempt to lay siege to the fortifications of the mainstream Catholic media, or try to divert our attention from the worship of God by creating controversy about which rite is being used.

WE CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

Our Blog has made a New Year's Resolution not to take ourselves too seriously.       All contributors please note!