WE SEE IT HERE, WE SEE IT THERE …….

Frances and Nicky have boldly gone in search of the parish bookshop/library, only to discover that it’s back where it was before, in the Paul Duffy room.    And what fantastic value!     You can buy (suggested prices £1 for hardbacks, 50p for paperbacks) or borrow any of the almost new books.    Some are even current bestsellers, and all the children’s books are free.     And if you have books that you no longer need, remember that those you have donated so far have already,  thanks to the hard work of Frances, Francoise and Len, raised more than £2000 for parish funds! 

MISSION IS WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

Fr. Ephraim Odhiambo visited Milford, Lymington and Brockenhurst on Sunday to appeal on behalf of the vitally important APF Mission Society.     Although we shall not know the results of his efforts immediately, his mission certainly seems to have been successful, for a good number of forms were completed.     

EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT, ABSENT FRIENDS!

On Monday Clare, Joan, Eileen, Pam and Adele saw to it that the members of the Friendship Club had their annual strawberry cream tea in the Hospitality Centre, with delicious scones baked by Cathy P., lovely homemade jam from Patricia S. and nice strawberries from Goodalls.      Doesn’t it make your mouth water!        (It’s too late now, I’m afraid.    You’ll have to wait until next year.)

WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

There’s a new board in the Paul Duffy room now, which will be used to display the work produced by the children at their Sunday Liturgy sessions.     And look, Rini and Keith came all the way from South Africa to put it up for them!

A WELL DESERVED PROMOTION

We were delighted to hear about Mgr Edwin’s elevation; it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.    In his own blog, Ancient Richborough, he explains it away by saying that the Holy Father's decision to make him and two other former Anglican Bishops Papal Chaplains automatically gives them the title of Monsignor.   Typically, he doesn’t mention all the work he has done for the Bournemouth Ordinariate, all the travelling he does to support his fellow clergy, or the time he finds to come and support Fr Danny by celebrating or concelebrating Mass at Our Lady of Mercy.     Our best wishes to him for all he does for the Church, and to Jane for all the support she gives him.

AN ENJOYABLE VISIT TO ST PATRICK’S DALE

                                                                                                                                       photo by Pat

Louise and Pat M had a short holiday in Patterdale where this photo was taken.     Pat writes:     
 “It was on a walk from Patterdale along Ullswater that Dorothy and William Wordsworth saw the daffodils which inspired the poem. We also went to the Beatrix Potter Museum - what a Lady - she owned 14 farms and founded the Herdwicke Sheep Society and insisted all her Tenant farmers bred them.    She is largely responsible for farming being in such good shape up there today.   Patterdale is situated at the Southern tip of Ullswater and has Helvelyn to the West  .We do not mind admitting our ignorance  that we did not know the connection between Patterdale and St Patrick. Historically early in the 5th Century  he landed at Duddon Sands and walked the 30 miles to the Valley that is now called Patterdale converting many to Christianity.  There has been a St Patricks Well and Chapel there since very early days.   This knowledge added another dimension to our holiday and we raised our glass to him every evening.” 
                                                       Our thanks to both of you, for letting us share your memories.

A VERY ENGLISH SUMMER AFTERNOON

                                                                                                  photo by Barbara
A peaceful scene at the Bath Road Recreation Ground in Lymington as the band plays last Saturday afternoon.

THE SUMMER FETE AT ST ANNE’S PARISH

We had thought that we would not be able to publish any photos of last week’s fete at St Anne’s, but fortunately Derek came to our rescue and supplied us with these pictures.

  Unfortunately, says Derek, I was so busy on the raffle that I only had time for these four photos!

Thanks, Derek, for sending them to us.    It looks as though everyone had  a good time!

ANCIENT CHRISTIAN GRAVES ON LUNDY

Recently a pair of your fearless editorial staff boldly crossed to the island of Lundy in the Bristol Channel, and saw these ancient Christian standing stones from the fifth and sixth centuries.      There are a few other places in the south west or in Wales where such stones are found individually, but this is reputed to be the only spot in the United Kingdom where as many as four Christian standing stones are found in such a small area.       More recently, they have been moved and placed together just inside the churchyard, slightly apart from the other more recent gravestones.

                                                                                     photo by Nicky

Lundy is also notable for the work which is done there to assist research into bird migration under the auspices of the British Trust for Ornithology (www.bto.org)    This willow warbler has been caught, measured, weighed and ringed, all in a few minutes, and is just about to be released. 

THE CHEAM PRIEST HOLE IS CONFIRMED

Two weeks ago on this blog we showed a photo of what we thought was a genuine priest hole in the Red Lion pub at Cheam.     In response Pat M. has sent us a copy of a page from Cheam Councillor Mary Burstow’s website confirming that it is of the right period, that it was certainly used to conceal people wanted by the authorities, and giving examples of Catholics hiding up in Cheam at that time.    She adds an account of the bravery of the Anglican Rector of Cheam during the Commonwealth, when threatened with death by a Cromwellian soldier for using the Book of Common Prayer in the Church.      These fascinating accounts are on her site at www.cheam.mycouncillor.org.uk/2012/05/01/the-red-lion-and-its-priest-hole/
                                                                                                                               Many thanks, Pat.

PARISHES JOIN FOR FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

At Our Lady of Mercy last Sunday twelve children from this parish and St Anne’s took the most important step in their lives since their baptisms.      To mark the occasion the St Anne’s singers joined ours and the old rafters rang with the concerted choral celebration rising from the crowded choir loft.     The conduct of the children, coached by Cathy, was impeccable as they received Our Lord for  the first time, and Fr Danny made sure that the youngsters will remember this day for many years to come.

GREEN PASTURES HELPING THE HOMELESS

The photo shows John with Joy Bingham, Michael Crofts and Janet High all of the River of Life Church, and Rory Paget-Wilkes (nearest the camera).       Rory, who addressed the Council of Lymington Churches Together on Tuesday, is from Green Pastures, a non-denominational Christian Community Benefit Society which started in Stockport in 1999 but now is spreading rapidly throughout the country.    It has already provided accommodation for more than a thousand previously homeless people.      It is largely funded through the housing benefits of its tenants, but is supervised and administered by volunteers.      For more information visit www.greenpastures.net

FULL STEAM AHEAD FROM THE PARISH

                                                  Our thanks to John, who sent us this photo and his account of the trip.
Mary and I went on a Steam Train excursion last Wednesday, 6th June. This was part-funded as a gift from Fr Danny and the Parish in association with the Apostolic Blessing I received from the Pope, earlier this year.
We joined the train at Brockenhurst and travelled to Windsor, at the height of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. We had excellent, first class service, with refreshments provided throughout the journey there and back. Along the way, there were one or two stops to replenish the water for the locomotive. 
The photo shows Mary and me beside the loco (the 'Duke of Gloucester' a Pacific 4-6-2 locomotive).

MORE HOSPITABLE THAN EVER

Thanks to the PPC's hard work, and especially to Jacqui’s determined investigations, a 50” television/computer screen with DVD facilities is installed in the Paul Duffy room.

The new blinds being safely fitted in the hospitality suite.    

                                                                                                                                       photos by Jacqui

LABYRINTH MYSTERY REVEALED TO ALL

                                                                                                                                 photo by Mary
There was a revelation for visitors to the fete arranged by the Brockenhurst Parish Council on Saturday, for the indefatigable parishioners of St Anne’s presented them with a labyrinth, and explained its religious significance and value to anyone who ventured near.

……. FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE …..

                                                                                                                
When you have the misfortune to slip and tumble from the narrow path into a patch of brambles and vicious stinging nettles, how would you expect your life’s dedicated companion to respond to your plight?       Would you expect her to ignore your anguished cries for help, pull her camera from her pocket, slowly adjust the focus and then take a photograph of you lying there before even offering to help?

TODAY IS THE FEAST OF THE VISITATION

When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.         Luke 1:41

CWL ASSISTANCE REMEMBERED AT THE NMA

In 1914 Cardinal Vaughan asked the CWL to help the armed services and a Recreation Hut was started in Boulogne for troops passing through. Gradually other huts were opened and manned by the CWL all over Europe during the First World War.    In 1939 the War Office allowed the canteens to be used again and three were opened in France.   

 

These huts/canteens were much appreciated by the armed services and when the National  Memorial Arboretum was built, a seat was dedicated to the CWL in recognition of their help in both wars.

                                       Our thanks to Peter and Barbara for the photos and text.

GOD IS GOOD! GOD IS BEAUTY! PRAISE HIM!

                                                                                                                                   photo by Nicky

Marine thrift blooming on the clifftop at Milford underlines the splendid view.     

PIPER LEADS AT LYMINGTON WEDDING

At last Saturday’s wedding between Simon Maguire and Catherine Putt at Our Lady of Mercy the bride was piped into the church by Piper Iain Russell.

Fr Danny officiated at the marriage, which took place in a packed church.    We wish the happy couple every blessing in their life together.

                                                       photos by Jacqui and Barbara

A PEACEFUL LUNCH AT BROCKENHURST

                                                                                                  photo by Barbara

With noisy demolition under way at Our Lady of Mercy, it was a pleasant relief for members of that parish to be able to gather at Brockenhurst College with their friends from other parishes for a quiet Pastoral Area lunch beautifully served up by the students on the catering course.

THE ENGLISH POPE WAS BROUGHT UP HERE

Jan has been to visit the church of St Saviours in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire.    (Although it is a modern church it has a a peaceful, uplifting and spiritual feel to it.)     It is situated close to the Anglican church, which was dedicated to St Laurence the Martyr in 1154.  

That same year, Nicholas Breakspear who grew up in the parish of Abbots Langley, became the only English Pope - Pope Adrian IV.
One wonders whether the people who use Adrian Road, Popes Road or Breakspear Road in the village know the reason behind their road names?

                                     report and photos by Jan                                                                                

WERE CATHOLIC PRIESTS HIDDEN HERE?

Has Nicky found a genuine priesthole?    It certainly looks like it.     It’s by the fireplace at the Red Lion in Park Road, Cheam, and there is a small cramped staircase leading into it.    The staff assure us that the pub is between 450 and 500 years old, so that fits.    Not so sure about the stool and the missal, though!     Does anyone know more about it?

HEALING MASS AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES

                                                                                                                                   photo by Frances

Last Sunday, people from across the combined parishes gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in New Milton for a special Mass for the Sick.        It was Father Danny's last formal service as parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes.     He welcomed in-coming parish priest Father Richard Sakson, shown here with his lovely bevy of loyal helpers in the kitchen.     Fr Danny was assisted at Mass by Father Richard, Father Edwin Barnes and Deacon Michael Welch.

                                                                                                                            photo by Frances

Father Danny, here talking to Peggy after the Mass, had brought along a beautiful little crucifix made from matches and cork, given to him during his time as a prison chaplain at Wandsworth. . He spoke movingly about the prisoner who had made the crucifix after becoming blind, and who told Father Danny he could only truly see with his heart after losing his eyesight.

                                                                                                                                 photo by Gigi                                                                                                                       

After the service, several people said that the Mass had engendered feelings of real peace and goodwill in their own hearts. The sun beamed through the hospitality rooms as we tucked into a wonderful tea prepared by the ladies of the parish, including Cathy's delicious strawberry scones.

                                                                                                           Our thanks to Gigi for this report.

24 SECONDS IN THE DEATH OF A CLASSROOM

2012-05-11

09.26.10

Look out - there's someone coming up behind you!

09.26.20

Hey, what's going on?

09.26.24

That's not fair!  Stop it!

09.26.34

Aaaaaaaaaaagh!

SO WHAT'S GOING TO REPLACE THE HUTS?

Much as we'd love to express our opinions on the subject, we have to accept that it's not the job of a Parish Blog to anticipate the future, but to illustrate things that have already happened.    So as today is the one hundred and fifty third anniversary of the consecration of our church we reproduce, without comment, a plan of this site copied from a document dated 1864, when the parish of Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph was still in the Diocese of Southwark, whose Bishop at that time was still the same Thomas Grant who had consecrated our church five years earlier.    
Unfortunately it is not clear what the hatching on some areas represents.     Is that a wall around the garden?    If so, it seems to be rather a thick one!     Note that the building opposite the Church porch is not the old school (now the hospitality centre) because that was not built until 1885.

OH SON OF MAN

 Oh Son of Man, Oh Lord, the one true vine,

Whose victory over death we celebrate,

Who ordinary water turned to wine,

Gladness of heart and joy to demonstrate,

Protect us all, your branches, keep us firm,

Come, fill us with your spirit and your grace,

So that we may, with rock-like faith affirm

Your teaching and your love, and hate erase.

Give us courage that we may bear your fruit;

That we your fine example might employ,

Fearless, and faultlessly to follow suit,

And eat and drink and share that fruit with joy.

True Vine, protect your branches, lest they fall;

So strengthen us, that we may hear your call. 

                                    Ros Browne.  May 6^th 2012

WITH A HUGE COLLECTIVE SIGH OF RELIEF

At last the demolition team have arrived, and the task of removing the old modular classrooms has begun.     The Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy are much relieved, and grateful to Fr Danny and to the fellows of the Finance and Property Committee who worked so hard and overcame so many obstacles to reach this point.

ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION FINDS NEW HOME

Our felicitations to Fr Brian Croughan, Diocesan Archivist and ex-Lymington Parish Priest, who has now recovered sufficiently from January's operation to be able to chair yesterday's meeting of Parish Archivists.   During an interval in the proceedings it was agreed that our own 2009 exhibition "History of Catholicism in the New Forest" will now find a home in the Archives Department at the Portsmouth Cathedral Discovery Centre.

A CARPET OF BLUEBELLS IN ROYDON WOODS

                                                                                                                            photo by Nicky

BEGIN WITH THE SIGN OF THE HOLY TRINITY

                                                        Rublev’s Angels at Mamre (the Holy Trinity)

Yesterday, in the first of Cathy’s Wednesday evening chats on the Mass, she threw light on its repeated references to God the Holy Trinity.  If you missed this first talk, do come along to her second one next Wednesday at 7.30pm, for her expertise and informal style made last evening profitable and enjoyable to her listeners, no matter how little or how much we already knew. 

PART OF THE DRIVING FORCE

A little party was held last week for the local WRVS Meals on Wheels Organiser who is retiring.  You may recognise a few familiar faces from Our Lady of Mercy Parish.   Pat, Marianne, Joan and Brian are all Meals on Wheels Drivers.    

                                                                                                                photo and report from Pat

…. AND THEY PLAY CRICKET, TOO!

We’re glad to report that Frances is safely back from her latest spell in Oz.   She has been telling us what nice people the Australians are.    When they found out that she was leaving, they all came to say goodbye to her.

SO MANY MEMORIES AT EVA’S WAKE

We were very sad to hear of Catherine (Eva) Hurton’s death. At the funeral her grandson Nicolas told us how dearly her family had loved their “honest-to-goodness down to earth Mum and Granny.”     The reception afterwards was full of memories, and Eva’s daughter Marlene kindly lent us this photo, taken at the Catholic Club in Ashley Lane, but we’re not sure when.     We think that’s Eva on the extreme left with Violet Bennett (later Loader) and Diana Walsh next to her.     There’s Eileen Finn with the short open jacket, while the three men in the centre are Fr Bernard Heeran, Joseph Walsh and Colonel Weld.       Do you think we’ve got it right so far, and can you help us with the other people in the group?       Please click on “comments” below.

PARISHIONER’S BEAUTIFUL GARDEN

Louise’s lovely garden looks fresh and bright after the recent showers.     Have you a garden which we could show on our blog?       Let us know if you have – we’d love to feature it.