AN OAK HAVEN FOR THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

On Monday, parishioners from both Lymington and Milford on Sea attended a short service of blessing of the new Tabernacle at the Oakhaven Hospice. Also in attendance was Andrew Sharpe, the cabinet maker who constructed the Tabernacle using English Oak. Any resident (or member of staff) will now be able to visit the Chapel to sit before the Blessed Sacrament. It will also mean that Mass can now be celebrated in the Chapel at any time.

                                                                                                    Report and photo by Cathy

SUCCESSFUL FIRST PARISH CRAFT FAIR

Despite competition from the Priory and the Masonic Hall, the Craft Fair held last weekend attracted some work of high quality, and a number of parishioners as well as market shoppers came in to see the goods on display, and to make purchases.

The stalls were attractively laid out, and stallholders like Julia stayed quietly in the background, allowing the quality of the goods to sell themselves.

YOU SHOP, YOU DROP FOR BASICS BANK

 

 Shoppers at Lymington’s Waitrose this weekend will once more be greeted, for the second and final time, with a request to donate an item of food for distribution to the poor and needy of the area. 

 

The great generosity of Waitrose customers who gave at last weekend’s trolley drop resulted in a huge contribution to the stock of Basics Bank during these winter months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much was collected that it took the staff a whole morning to sort and store it all.     Our thanks to everyone who donated.

 

                                                         photos by Mary

PARISH St VINCENT de PAUL FOUNDER RETIRES

                                                                                                                                          photo by Cathy

Tom Turnbull, on the left of this photo, has been forced by ill health to give up not only the presidency of the Lymington Conference (above), but also the leadership of the Southampton District Council.     He started the SVP in Lymington, and it is largely due to his wise counsel and tireless efforts that it has survived and flourished.

Members of a number of local SVP conferences attended a retreat last weekend in Winchester’s fine new Parish Centre. They ate their lunchtime sandwiches in its splendid refectory.     This is a long photo; to see more of it use the right arrow key.   

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE

On Saturday 17th November the CWL attended Mass for their deceased members.  Next year they are hoping to attract new members.  They meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.15 if anyone would like to join them, or just observe with a view to joining, they will be very welcome.  The next meeting will be on January 8th 2013.
                                                                                                                   photo and report by Barbara

SKITTLING THE BLUES AWAY!

                                                                                                                                    photo by Anthony

The annual Milford v New Milton Skittles bash was graced this year with the addition of our friends from Brockenhurst and Lymington parishes. Two teams were formed and battle was joined, with the outcome far less important than the social occasion. Everyone played their part and got stuck into their “pub grub” meal with as much energy as they bowled the skittles. With all the dire news assaulting our ears these days it was a pleasure to take time out to chuck a few balls and send the skittles flying. Well done and three cheers for everybody who took part. Here’s to the next time!

                                                                                Thanks, Rita, for this report.

ANTIPODEAN VISITORS GET CHORAL WELCOME

Our intrepid reporter risked all to take this shot of members of the choir of Our Lady of Mercy as they were entertaining Nicky’s daughter Ruth and her friend June, here on holiday from New Zealand.

ST ANNE’S CELEBRATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY

 

 We spotlighted our Statue of St Anne for our Celebration Mass, and created a historical display at the back of the Church. Retired Deacon Hilary Parsons gave a superb Homily about the way that Catholicism has evolved in this country from his memories of his youth. He outlined the  difference it made to the Catholics of this area whenSt Anne's was consecrated. We feel very proud and privileged!

 

 

 

 

Photo and report by Mary

THEY WERE HAPPY TO BE SENT TO COVENTRY

                                                                                                                                     photo by Margaret

Margaret, Eileen and Jaqui had the privilege of representing our local CWL at the AGM and annual conference of the Catholic Women’s League of England and Wales at Coventry last month.      The photo shows the members being welcomed by Councillor Gary Crook, the deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry.

HOSPITALITY IN THE CENTRE OF OUR PARISH

Linda and Giselle were the two lovely ladies who took their turn serving and washing up to raise money for charity last Saturday morning in the Hospitality Centre.      We are grateful to them and to everyone else on the rota who makes it possible for us to relax over a cuppa after a busy morning shopping in Lymington  market.

INTERDENOMINATIONAL PRAYER WORKSHOPS

Mary And Sean were at Romsey Abbey for a Day called A Celebration of Holiness. 220 people came for Prayer Workshops, which took place as part of an all-day Liturgy celebrated by the new Bishop of Winchester. Mary's was one of 19 Workshops, and the two doves were her symbol to represent the Spirit present in a session of Spiritual Direction.  It was a truly energised and wonderful day!

photo by Mary

SEVENTY-FIVE AND STILL GOING STRONGLY

 On Sunday November 11th St Anne’s Church in Brockenhurst, with its unusual triptych of tribute in glass to three holy mothers, celebrates three quarters of a century since its foundation.     Have a good party, parishioners!

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY AT BASICS BANK

As a result of the generous donations received from local churches at their Harvest Festival services Louise, Phil and their colleagues will have no difficulty in providing food for  needy people in our area over the winter period.      Yet within a few months these shelves will begin to look bare again and Basics Bank will be relying heavily on monetary donations to buy food for those who cannot afford to do so themselves.  So for a short period from this week Localgiving will match any donation up to £10, and it can still be giftaided!    Go to http://localgiving.com/charity/newforestbasicsbank for details.

HIDDEN PARISH TALENT STAYS UNDERCOVER

What a super picture of the view from the Isle of Mull!   As soon as we saw it we begged to show it on the blog.     Can you guess who painted it?     The artist is a popular and well known parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy.       Sorry, we have been sworn to secrecy!    

 

DOUBLE BAPTISM AT OUR LADY OF MERCY

The stars of last Sunday's baptism ceremony were Dolly and Harrison, shown here with Fr Danny, their godparents and their proud grandparents Maria and Sean Colon. We welcome them into our parish family, and wish them every blessing in the future.

WEEKLY PRAYER SESSION AT ST ANNE'S

Every Friday at 10am, in the Lady Chapel at St Anne's Church, there is a prayer session. It takes different forms - the Rosary, A Service of Word and Communion, Morning Prayer from the Prayer of the Church, and a Meditation. This was part of our meditation on Bartimaeus, the Blind Beggar.


Thanks, Mary, for this photo and report.