HOUSE MASS FOR MARY’S NINETY-FIRST

                                                                                                                                    photo by Frances

Last Thursday Fr Danny celebrated Mass in Mary’s flat on her 91st birthday.     Why only four candles left on the cake?      Did you blow away the other eighty-seven, Mary?

PARISHIONERS VISIT LOURDES AGAIN

Several members of the Parish of Our Lady of Mercy have visited the shrine this year.    This view of it shows the crowds continually moving to and from the Grotto, which is on the right of the photo with the statue of Our Lady in the niche where Bernadette saw the apparitions.

It is difficult at times to fully comprehend the numbers who go to Lourdes.    This photo shows the congregation at an International Mass in the Underground Basilica.     The tiny brown rectangle in the middle of the photo is the altar, which is in the centre of the Basilica.    Although you cannot see them, there are as many people on the other side of that altar as there are on this side, and the whole seated congregation totals about a quarter of the number of visitors entering the Domaine each day during the summer season.

Much further down the Gave are the new Stations of the Cross, beautifully sculpted in white marble, which were  completed and installed earlier this year.

LIVERPOOL'S METRPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

Members of Our Lady of Mercy Parish have also visited the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool this year.    This view is of the front entrance with its striking glass steles facing the top end of Hope Street, which has seen so much ecumenical activity in recent decades.

The Cathedral, which was designed by Lutyens, was originally intended to be the largest Cathedral in the world.   The crypt was completed by 1939, but by the time the War was over common sense had prevailed and a less gigantic but very fine building was erected. 

  The huge crypt remains as a reminder of the intended ambition of the Catholic community of Liverpool.

Less recent, but no less striking than the Stations at Lourdes are those in the Cathedral.   They are the work of  sculptor Sean Rice and were donated to the Cathedral by the late Archbishop Derek Worlock.

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

It is with great sadness that we have to record the death of Winifred (Wynn) Calvert, a popular and much-loved member of our Parish.      

Also this week we grieve at the passing away of Anthony Ennis, a longtime parishioner who was also a dedicated subscriber to the Association for the Propagation of the Faith.  

We send our sincere condolences to their relatives and friends, and promise to remember them in our prayers.   

I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE

"I am the bread of life sent from above,

And those who eat of Me shall have that life,

Will know the fullness of My Father's love,

And know no more of heartache, grief or strife."

We are so far removed from those words said

By Christ himself when He was here on Earth;

We never saw or heard Him.  We have read

His words, however; we believe their worth.

But why?  when those who heard Him were upset,

And argued, doubting Him?  Still He proclaimed,

"My flesh and blood will give you life," and yet

Their protestations left Him unashamed. 

We may wish we'd been there; if we had,

Then would we have believed, or thought Him mad?

Our thanks to Ros Browne for this splendid sonnet, which she composed for the twentieth Sunday.    We’re sorry we couldn’t publish it during that week.   

ST ANNE'S - VERY MUCH ALIVE IN THE LORD!

Thanks, Mary, for the photos and caption.

FIFTY-TWO HAPPY YEARS TOGETHER

Clare and Peter celebrate their anniversary by cutting a cake for the members of the Friendship Club, some of whom are shown in this photo wishing them joy and good health for many more years.    And so say all of us!

IT’S NOT ALL WORK AND NO PLAY!

Lisa, Rita and Fr Danny get away from it all to enjoy the flume at Thorpe Park.
                                                                        Our thanks to John S for transmitting this super photo.

KRZYSZTOF JUNIOR BECOMES A CHILD OF GOD

Here proud parents Krzysztof and Kamila Perlowski  are seen holding Krzysztof Junior for a photo just before his Baptism, through which he entered the gateway to life in the Spirit, became part of the Church and was marked with a seal that can never be broken. We rejoice for him and welcome him into our Parish!

CWL MARK FOUNDER’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

Our local branch of the CWL joined their colleagues in the National Pilgrimage to St Aloysius Church, Oxford to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of their founder, Margaret Fletcher. 

   Margaret, Maureen, Joan and Eileen were among the group from our branch, who then attended an official reception at the Town Hall.
                                                                                                   Our thanks to Joan for the photos.

PARISHIONERS VISIT MUDLESS GLASTONBURY

                                                                                                                                 photo by Joan 

Not a drop of mud in sight as Audrey and Pat relax in the Glastonbury sunshine.      Joan was with them, too.   Well of course she was - she took the photo!

WHAT! NOT ANOTHER RETIRED TV STAR!

                                                                                             photo by Louise
We had wondered what would happen when Muffin the Mule grew old!     Doesn’t time fly!

THE WEDDING OF ROSALIND AND ARREN

                                                                 photo kindly donated by Michael Harris (mjh1972@me.com)
On Saturday we were delighted to be able to attend the marriage of well-known  parishioners Ros Hayward and Arren Barnett, which was conducted by Fr Danny.    We all wish them every joy and happiness in their future life together.

YET MORE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR SITE

Thanks to John S, for the very smart lighting to help those who use the back entrance on dark Saturday evenings.

Thanks to Gerry, who organised the removal of this unsafe wall and the replacement of the back door of the coffee-serving area …..

…..  by a new disabled access door, and the gold medal goes to Ros, for being the first competitor to arrive through it!

STRAWBERRY TEA AT MILFORD ON SEA

This strawberry tea was held at the church of St Francis of Assisi, Milford-on-Sea, on Sat 11th August.     About 30 attended and a good time was had by all!     The weather was excellent, sunny but not too hot.
                                                                  photo and report by Anthony

HOW BLUE SUEDE SHOES CAME TO AFRICA

Here’s the answer to the question we asked you two weeks ago:   The tall pop star who visited June in 1968 while she was living in Rhodesia was Vince Eager, who helped to popularise some of Elvis’s tunes as he toured Africa.

THE ASSUMPTION LOOKED AT FROM THE EAST

On Wednesday this week Christians throughout the world celebrated the wonderful Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.   We in the west are used to seeing medieval pictures of her flying up towards Heaven.   Yet paintings from the eastern tradition often have a different take on the words of Pope Pius XII “…when the course of her earthly life was finished (Mary) was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory…” (Munificientissimus Deus).    We haven’t been able to trace the origin of this superb painting showing Our Lord coming down to bring her up to Heaven with him (well, surely he would have, wouldn’t he?)  …. Can anyone help?

MINISTERS OF A VERY SPECIAL MINISTRY

As the congregation leave the Church, the duty Eucharistic Ministers clean and polish the ciborium and chalices and store them away ready for the next day’s Mass.     Kevin and Agnes are among those who have the privilege of serving Our Lord in this most important duty.

NO GOLD MEDAL FOR FR DANNY, IT SEEMS

Why was the post box painted gold which stands directly opposite the presbytery?     Had the dive with triple somersault and twist from the three-metre ladder to the church floor been recognised as an Olympic sport?    Or was the post box opposite the wrong house?    (Ben’s is on the right side of the church entrance.)      And now we’re told that the painting had been done illegally!    Here’s principal suspect Rob being interviewed by South Today.    But he hasn’t had his trial yet!     Where’s the justice in that?    As always, we welcome your comments.

GEORGE IS NOW A MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH

George Joseph Myers with his parents Claire and William, his godparents, his family and their friends being greeted by Fr Danny at the entrance to the Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph.   A few minutes after this photo was taken George entered the gateway to life in the Spirit as he was baptised and became a son of God.      We welcome him into our Parish, and congratulate him and his family on this great occasion.

FOR THOSE IN PERIL ON THE SEA

On Sunday afternoon the annual RNLI service, promoted by Lymington Churches Together and led by Lifeboat chaplain the Rev Peter Salisbury, took place on the Bath Road Recreation Ground.      Popular hymns were led by the choirs of St Thomas’s and St John’s Boldre accompanied by the Town Band and supported by Christians of all denominations.

IN TOWN THIS MORNING

It’s Saturday morning again.   And once more the mighty roar of Lymington’s market is hushed as we tiptoe into the Parish Hospitality Rooms for our weekly shot of CWL coffee, scones and cake, delightfully served this week by Anne and Wendy.    Nearly all of the £1500 or so raised annually by the lovely ladies of the CWL at Saturday coffee mornings is donated by them to selected charities.

A GARDEN IS A LOVESOME THING, GOD WOT

Many parishioners with truly sensitive natures had long hoped that when the huts behind Our Lady of Mercy were removed, they would be replaced by an attractive garden, with a lawn and sweetly scented floral borders.   Yet now anyone who is unwise enough to stand and chat there after Mass does so in a noxious atmosphere of hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide pumped out by departing cars.    So we are publishing these photos today to express our gratitude to Pat, who with Brian’s support keeps pots of beautiful flowers blooming outside the doors of the church, the presbytery and the hospitality suite.     

HOW GREEN IS THEIR VALLEY

Last weekend your intrepid editorial staff boldly travelled westward to spend a few days with Rosemary and Jim, ex-parishioners who now live in Neath, South Wales.  (Jim is the folk musician and sculptor whose Bernadette now graces the Lourdes grotto at the north-west end of Our Lady of Mercy’s grounds.)   On Sunday we all went to Mass at St Joseph’s Church in Neath.   Its wide sanctuary often accommodates as many as ten red-cassocked primary school children who between them accomplish all the servers’ duties, while the young pig-tailed thurifer is able to move around easily to complete the incensations fully and with quiet dignity.

Surprisingly, there is no choir at this Welsh valley church, but the Lady chapel adjacent to the sanctuary hosts the music group who accompany the hymns and anthems on a variety of instruments.    We are grateful to them for allowing us to photograph them for our blog.

In the afternoon we went to a light-hearted medieval re-enactment in the ruins of Neath Abbey, a huge twelfth century Cistercian monastery which housed before its dissolution in 1539 some fifty monks and about a hundred lay brothers. 

  







Some of the spectators had dressed for the part, too, and this twelve-year old was delighted to be rewarded with a proposal from the victor of the jousts.

HOW BLUE SUEDE SHOES CAME TO AFRICA

Here’s a teaser for those who remember the pop scene in 1968: Who’s the big star on this photo with June, a recently joined member of our congregation, taken when she was a young housewife in Rhodesia?   If you think you recognise him, please leave a comment.

            Thank you very much, June, for allowing us to reproduce your precious photo.

A GREAT MILESTONE FOR OUR PARISH BLOG

     Today the Parish Blog welcomes its 30,000th reader!

OUR WELCOME VISITOR FROM ROME

It was great to have Fr Paschal with us again at Our Lady of Mercy last Saturday.     After Mass he joined us for coffee, and told us that he is still working for his Masters degree in Rome, but does not yet know what he lies ahead for him once he has completed it.    Whatever he does, we know he will give of his best, and we wish him well.

CHILDREN GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

At our School's end of term Liturgy this year the centre piece was a 6' x 4' heart edged with strawberries and the centre filled with blueberries.  Fr Danny asked the children why they thought a heart had been placed at the centre of the Liturgy service and one of the smallest children in the school answered 'because it stands for Love'.  We wish all the year 6 children leaving Our Lady and St Joseph's school our love as they start new beginnings in their next schools. 
At the end of the Liturgy the children, staff and families were invited to enjoy the fruits of the heart until they had 'as much as they wanted' (Jn.6:11).
Happy Holidays everyone!!
                                                                              photo and report from Cathy

QU’ILS MANGENT DE LA PIZZA!

                                                                                               photo by John S
Once again, into the breach stepped Pat and Louise to allay the hunger of the crowds at the Convent fete with hot dogs and delicious pizza cooked by the Sisters.    Now we know for certain that Summer has arrived!

A VERY WELL DESERVED HONOUR

On Saturday evening at Mass Fr Danny presented Cathy with a Papal Blessing.    He told us what a tremendous support she had been to him, how much good work she had achieved for the Parish and how much she had done for individuals needing help.    How true that is.    Her cheery face greets us as we come into the Sunday morning Mass, and encourages us to go to her for advice or comfort.    She does much good that is not generally known about, so this honour, granted to her on her xxth birthday (don’t ask – if you knew you wouldn’t believe it!) is really appropriate.

THEIR FLAME WAS NOT DAMPENED

This is a photo of a dry Peter, Clare, Megan and Jonathan  who were asked to help form a guard of honour for the Olympic Flame as it passed the church entrance. 

By the time the flame arrived the rain had been bucketing down and everyone was soaked to the skin, but their enthusiasm still burned strongly!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR PEGGY

                                                 
To her delight Fr Danny celebrated  Holy Mass for Peggy on Friday in her flat on the day of her ninety-first birthday.     We all wish her every happiness and improved health.    Keep smiling, Peggy!

 photo by Mike C.

MGR PHILIP EGAN WILL BE OUR NEW BISHOP

We join with everyone in our parishes in welcoming the appointment, announced yesterday, of Mgr Philip Egan, currently Vicar General of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, as our new Bishop.     He is 56 years old, was born in Altrincham, a market town near Manchester, and was ordained to the priesthood in August 1984.    Since then, among his other appointments he has served as a parish priest, as a hospital chaplain, as a chaplain at Cambridge university, and as Dean of Studies at Oscott Seminary.   In 2008 he became Parish Priest of Lady and St Christopher’s, Romiley, near Stockport, where he is now.     Bishop Hollis is a hard act to follow, and we wish Bishop-elect Egan every success in his difficult task.

PETER BECOMES A FULL CHURCH MEMBER

Last Sunday at the Church of Our Lady of Mercy Peter Lawes was received into the Catholic Church by Fr Danny as a confirmed Communicant member, with Deacon Stephen Morgan as his sponsor.      We congratulate Peter, who is already playing an important part in the life of our Parish, and welcome him into full membership of the Church.

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!