IS IT THATAWAY OR THISAWAY?

Joy and Pam are among a coachload of our parishioners who have come to Arundel to see the Carpet of Flowers.    But the arrow on this notice points away from, instead of towards it.  Will our intrepid duo be misled?

No, they've arrived safely in the Cathedral with the rest of the group.   There, looking as though he's just been on the receiving end of a left hook from Frank Bruno, is John, joining Rini to admire the flowers arranged down the centre aisle.

Marianne and Cathy stand near the edge of the sanctuary, so that they can look down the full length of the carpet of flowers.

A special memory for Marianne, as she contemplates the Cathedral organ, which her grandmother used to play.

END OF A DELIGHTFUL AFTERNOON

Smiles all round as Mike, Terry, Gerry and Jill, having spent all their spare cash at the St Dominic's Whit Monday bash, can now relax and enjoy a cuppa.

OUR PARISH GOES INTO THE RED

Pentecost Sunday's congregation is flecked with red as dozens of parishioners, in common with many Christians from other denominations in the town, don red vestments in honour of the feast.   The liturgy of the Mass is accompanied with balloons, and concludes with a solemnly recessed cake to the strains of Happy Birthday dear Chu-urch, to celebrate that first great Whitsun when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles to give birth to Our Faith.  Even the sun is shining more enthusiastically than it has for months, yet Paschal, Edward, Caroline, Kyle, Margaret, Joan and Catherine bravely withstand its glare for a few minutes so we can take this photo.

Meanwhile, in a slightly shadier spot, Freda chooses one of the rosary bracelets which Frances and Pat are selling for a charity which helps to support the welfare of young women in the Philippines.  Just think, girls, now you can have a rosary bracelet to match each of your outfits!

CHILDREN OF THE UNIVERSE

 Keith won't thank us for publishing this photo showing him being mobbed on arrival at the Umnqophiso Pre-Primary School!   Is this any indication of the kind of high jinks to be expected at the Walhampton Arms on Friday 16th July at 7.00pm?

 Thank goodness - Rini's here, and order has been restored!

If you'd like to join the fun on July 16th, and help some of the underprivileged children of South Africa to have a proper education, you can purchase tickets at £22 per person from Keith or Rini at 675386.

IT WASN'T MEANT TO GO ON FOR EVER!

We've enjoyed the 10.15am “Wednesday Word” (coffee, chat and look at Sunday's readings) so much that we (there's Audrey and Peter on the sofa: Cathy, John and Clare behind it) have decided, instead of stopping now as planned,  to continue each week EXCEPT NEXT WEDNESDAY JUNE 2ND (because most of us will be on the coach to Arundel that day.)

THE WONDER OF PENTECOST

This powerful painting shows the Holy Spirit descending not only on the apostles, but also on Our Lady and on other disciples.    We can't find the name of the artist - can anyone help, please?

NOT A SUBJECT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY

Last Saturday Paul Inwood, the Diocesan Director of Liturgy, came to St Joseph's School to tell us how we should take part in the liturgy of the Mass to parishioners of the four parishes in our Pastoral Area.  For almost four hours he kept his audience totally engrossed.    (This photo was taken over three and a half hours into the course!)  

During the morning coffee break groups, or pairs like Mary and Di, talked about the liturgical points Paul had raised.

Others, including Maureen and Alan, went round the room set aside for quiet reflection, stopping at one prayer station to examine it more closely or sitting down to meditate in front of another one.

For lunch, the two Johns (near the camera), with Tom, Paul, and Fr.Jamie chewed over the impending new translation of the Missal, using their sandwiches to emphasise points in the discussion.

SWANNING ABOUT AT ABBOTSBURY

photo by Jean

The Abbot was so delighted to see John, Joan, Sue and Freda at the Swannery that he was completely lost for words, so we left him behind, and went to see how the swans managed cope with their hatching problems.                                                                                                                 

Now you just wait there quietly while I get this last egg hatched!

Sue watches a pair that have successfully hatched their whole brood, and are now taking them for their first swim. 

GLORIOUS FOOD AT THE BROCK

The Parish lunch at Brockenhurst College, superbly organised by Patricia, was a great opportunity for parishioners, spouses and friends to meet in a relaxed atmosphere.    The food and the service were once again of the high standard we have come to expect from the College, and the concentration on the faces of most of the diners shows that they were absolutely determined to relish every bit of it!

For most Catholic mothers, to have one son ordained a priest would be among the proudest moments of her life.    Yet Joan has not only one, but two sons in Holy Orders, and so we were delighted that during one of his rare flying visits to see his Mum, Father Paul joined us for the Parish lunch.  Sadly as soon as the meal was over he had to rush back to London again.

ONE COALITION THAT WORKS WELL

The Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes at New Milton invited us to join them last Sunday afternoon for the annual Mass of Healing, and then treated us to tea and cakes afterwards.    This photo shows just one part of the crowded Parish hall.   At the table nearest the camera what can Peter, Mary, Pam, Adele, Louise and Clare be discussing so seriously?

Photo by Frances  

If they're trying to decide who's going to drive the coach home, they're too late.   Colin's already made his mind up about that, and it's not going to easy to get him out of that seat!

NO MITRE YET FOR FR.JAMIE

Pat was due to be confirmed last Sunday, but the Bishop was unable to come.      So in his absence Fr Jamie was granted the faculty to administer the Sacrament.     Here he is confirming Pat, whilst Kerry stands behind her  as her sponsor.    This does not mean that when the Bishop retires next Autumn, Father will be replacing him!

A VERY RAPID RECOVERY

Clare takes the biscuit, doesn't she.    She left hospital a few weeks ago after a serious operation, yet she's agreed to take on the unpopular task of managing the Living Our Faith fund-raising campaign for our parish.    Now it looks as if she's going to help Ellen and Pat with the refreshments!

THIS WON'T HURT A BIT

This looks like a dentist's waiting room, doesn't it.    No wonder!    Vanessa, Keith, Rini and Anne are members of the Living Our Faith team who have had the difficult job of phoning parishioners to ask if they would consider making a pledge.    We know, however, that they have received a friendly and generous response from many of you.

NEVER LET IT BE SAID .....

Ramona and Wendy do not make an unseemly dash for the door at the end of Mass.    That is why we found it so easy to catch up with them on Sunday just as they were coming out of Church.

THEIR VERY FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Fourteen of our young people were able last week to receive Our Lord's Body and Blood in Holy Communion  for the first time.   We pray that as they get older they will continue to grow in their awareness of the fantastic priviledge that they are being given, and that the graces they get each time they partake of the Sacrament will keep them strong during the difficult times of their teenage years.

NO FRIVOLOUS BLOGGING, PLEASE

There's obviously a very serious discussion taking place here.   Both Fr.Jamie and Mike are so involved in their discussion that they don't notice the camera.    We shall leave them to it, and quietly move on.

NO POWER AT THE NINETEENTH HOLE

No, the presbytery was not being sabotaged.   This hole was dug in order to correct a fault in the electrical supply which also affected the Church and several neighbouring properties.   For further information relating to holes in the ground as told by Bernard Cribbins click here.
(Sorry to make you click twice; Youtube doesn't seem to want our blog to have direct access.  Can someone advise, please?)

Our apologies for havng failed to record earlier the death of Norman Bodell, Fr Harry Holden's brother-in-law, whose funeral took place last week.  He had not been a parishioner for very long, and during much of his time with us he had been in very poor health.   May his soul rest in peace.

We were very sad to hear of the recent death of Marjorie Filbee, who was an active member of the Catholic Women's League in our parish.   She had collected archival material and was planning an historical account of the C.W.L. which she unfortunately did not have time to finish.   We pray that her soul may rest in peace.

We are also grieving over the sudden illness and death of Declan Good, who was a member of our Parish Council, and who edited, updated and produced the recently revised history of our parish: "One Hundred and Fifty Years A-Growing".   We trust and pray that his soul may rest in peace.

NOW WHAT WAS I GOING TO SAY?

No, Louise and Joan are not about to be evacuated.   They're members of the Friendship Club, who recognise that not all of us find it easy to remember who you are, and realise that we get on so much better when we don't have to keep on saying "I'm sorry, what did you say your name is?"   They admit, however, that they haven't yet found an answer to "I know I was going to ask you something, but I can't remember what it was."

TWO STRANDED PASSENGERS

Freda is shown here with our previous parish priest, Fr.Don Clements, in the chapel of The Little Sisters of the Poor at St Helier on the Island of Jersey.   Fr Don assures us that he is keeping well, and sends his best wishes to us all.   Is the reason why both of them are looking rather anxious is because they both had their flights home delayed?   Father is still unable to leave, but hopes to catch his much-delayed flight this Saturday.

• A striking feature in the Convent Chapel is this delightful statue of the Holy Family.  In the picture above this one you can just see it on the right hand side of the sanctuary.

A CHANCE FOR STEPHEN TO RELAX

No wonder Deacon Stephen looked so cheerful last Sunday!     For once he hadn't had to give a homily during Mass, and when he came out of the church Doris and Eleanor were there to greet him!

MORE VOLUME AT THE BACK, NOW!

John rises to celestial heights in order to install two new loudspeakers at the rear of the church, for the dual benefit of the heavenly host in the choirloft above and the angelic cherubs below.

ARE YOU BEING THOROUGHLY SERVED?

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Eileen: I'm sorry, but we simply can't get plain biscuits anywhere
Elaine: Are you sure you didn't put sugar in this?
Mike:  Sugar?  In the current economic climate?  You must be joking!

OUR BLOG IS BACK!

Thank you all for your patience.    Although our hard drive is still scrambled, the browser and the modem are now working, so we have been able to upload these Easter photos.

NEW FIRE FOR EASTER

The pouring rain did not prevent the new Easter fire from burning brightly, so Fr Jamie was able to ignite the first candle from it, and bring it into the Church to light all the other candles for the renewal of our baptismal vows.  

A Message from the Chair of our PPC

What did you think of the Church decorations? I thought they were absolutely marvellous, and I want to thank you all for your hard work and imagination - I know that things don't just "happen".  A lot of work behind the scenes went into all the preparations. The choir and organists spent a lot of time practising, and produced a great programme.
It was all just beautiful. Thank you all.
God bless
Clare.

THE TRUTHS BENEATH THE ALTAR

The model of the three crosses on Calvary and the empty tomb help to remind our youngsters of the basic truths of our faith: that Jesus died to save us from the eternal death that our sins deserve, and then rose from the dead in order to lead us to eternal life.

A WALK OF WETNESS

Lymington Churches Together's annual Walk of Witness down Lymington High Street took place in steadily worsening rain, until we reached the Quay.    There the rain fell so heavily that it was decided to hold the remainder of the service in the URC Church.     The journey back up the hill was made in record time!

We have good news to report this week!   Our system has now been repaired, and our modem seems to be working properly.   With luck we may have everything back in good enough order to upload photos very shortly.    We'll be back with you as soon as we can!

Sadly there will be no new items on our blog this week, as the photo uploading facility, along with the contents of the blog's hard drive and its modem, have all gone down at the same time.    The fault is being investigated and the system is being repaired.    Our apologies to you all; we shall be back with you as soon as possible!

What we did in Liturgy on Sunday.

First, Catherine read us a story about the Prodigal Son.    The adults in the Church were listening to the same story, but ours was told in words that were easier to understand.     Then Catherine asked us questions, and we talked about it for a bit.     Then she gave us work to do, and the Dads and Mums who were there helped us as well, and then we took our work into the Church.    Then we went up to the altar with it, and it became our part of the Offertory of the Mass.

OUR NEW C.T.S. STAND IS HERE!

Cathy:  These are super booklets but there's nowhere to put the money.
Tom:   There's a locked cashbox on the shelf behind my left elbow.
Cathy:  But Tom, how will people put cash in it if it's locked?
Tom:  There's a hole in the top of the cashbox, dear Cathy, a hole.

Reflections for Lent and Easter

Every Wednesday at 10.15am a group of parishioners get together in the Parish Rooms for about an hour to think about the Gospel for next Sunday.     Peter, Sue, Anne, Maura and Audrey are preparing to consider the story of the woman taken in adultery.    The stones on the table in front of them are there to help us realise what the story is actually about.

Guercino (1591-1666) The Woman taken in Adultery

This painting was first shown on our blog in November last year.    The original is at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

48 hours in the Life of a C.W.L. Member

The Catholic Women's League gather before this week's meeting

On Tuesday members of the Catholic Women's League listened to an interesting talk by Fr Jamie, who spoke of his years in darkest Malawi, where he with one other priest serviced nine churches and some 20,000 parishioners, travelling between villages on a motor bike.  
Only two days after this talk most of those involved in the organisation, the running and the staffing of the Lenten lunch at St Thomas's were C.W.L. members.     After the lunch there was  interdenominational acclaim for the variety and quality of the soups which had been provided.  

NEW FOREST PASTORAL AREA PILGRIMAGE TO GREECE

In the Footsteps of St.Paul

Fr.Jamie will lead this pilgrimage from April 4th -11th 2011, travelling by air to Greece, then by coach to Thessalonica, Philippi, Berea, Neopolis, Delphi, Athens and Corinth.    Sites to be visited include St Demetrius Basilica, the clifftop Monasteries of Meteora, the Temples of Apollo and Zeus, the Acropolis and the site of St.Paul's sermon at Areopagus.   The price of £785 (30 in group), £835 (25 in group), £895 (30 in group) includes 3/4* twin-bedded accomodation, airport taxes, coach transfers, travel insurance, entrance fees and an English speaking guide.    There are application forms at the back of the Church (£100 deposit required).

WHERE SATAN TEMPTED OUR LORD

freestockphotos.com

Up beyond those high cliffs lies the Judean desert, where Our Lord was tempted by the devil.    In England until quite recently Catholics were expected to fast and abstain every weekday and to abstain every Sunday throughout the whole of Lent.    What a contrast from today!

New Forest Pastoral Area - Confirmation 2010

Tutors - Sr. Maria and Sr.Julie from St Dominic's

First session: next Thursday 11th March from 7pm to 8.30

Sessions will start with a light fun game, bring in some of last year's candidates to share their faith journeys, explore our Salvation History, and look at modern and past saintly heroes. We will study in depth the Sacrament of Confirmation and find out why we need the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We hope parents of this year's candidates will take part in the final part of our sessions by joining with us as we end with a traditional Catholic form of worship - we will pray the Rosary, spend time in Adoration, explore Novenas, the Angelus and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, attend Benediction and during Lent, the Stations of the Cross.

Welcome to our Newest Parishioner!

Last week Rebecca Alison Theodosia Diffey was baptised in our Church.   

 Here are Terry, proud parents Katie and Colin with Rebecca, Sheila, and Colin's parents Veronica and John.     Rebecca is wearing her great-great-great-grandmother's baptismal gown, and her third Christian name Theodosia has been a Christian name in Terry's family for at least seven generations.    What a wonderful start to your Christian life, Rebecca!

Blow Away the Blues .... and All That Jazz!

To see the Ron Dabidge Quartet, click on the dark area at the top of the picture.

As soon as Sunday Mass was over Patricia, Freda and Joan made their way to the King's Arms, where they found themselves in a whoopee spot .... where the wine was cool .... but the saxe was hot .... and All That Jazz!    Just look at those relaxed faces.     But it's Lent!     Never mind, they've resolved to be good tomorrow. 

The Friendship Club Meets Again

Two lovely smiles - on the left is Pam, and that's Joy on the right.

Oh dear, what can the matter be?  Everyone wants to know who was the brave heroine of the dramatic events of the last Friendship Club meeting.   Don't tell them, Pam!

But Joy, surely you're not going to accept a slice of Adele's delicious coffee cake?     You know you shouldn't!