CATENIANS CELEBRATE MASS IN THE FOREST

Our thanks to John Stephenson for this photo of Catenians and their wives taking part in the Mass in such a delightful setting.  The celebrant was Canon MacDermot-Roe and he was asisted by Deacon Stephen Short, who is the current Circle President.

THREE'S COMPANY WHEN YOU'RE IN HARMONY

Louise and Deirdre have just popped into Church to practice some hymns, and Ann has come along as well to accompany them on the organ.   They are part of our choir, who enjoy music and love to sing.    If you like singing, why not come along sometimes?    You'll be made welcome, even if you can't always come on Sundays.

BRIGHT SUN ON THE COSTA DEL LYMINGTON THIS WEEK

Pedro and José are two of our most loyal Sunday morning Mass attenders, and this week they allowed us to photograph them in the bright Spanish sunshine outside our church.   Muchas gratias, Señores.

ISN'T FORMULA ONE A BABY FOOD?

Young William's not interested in having his photo taken.   He wants to watch the cars attempting to gain pole position on their way out of the car park.   Peter and Dolores will have to watch him, he'll be wanting to try it himself soon!

A BROADER VIEW FOR HAPPY COUPLES

Bishop Crispian celebrated Mass at Basingstoke last Saturday for some happy married couples, including Alice and Leslie Dobson.   Alice, who moved into our parish quite recently, but is already a dedicated post-Sunday morning coffee consumer, allowed the Blog to scan their wonderful wedding photo, which we are proud to show you.  They have been married 63 years!

Another  happy couple are Suja and Jacob, here for once without their lovely family.   "What's the purpose of the Blog?" some people ask.    Well, for one thing, it helps us to get to know one another better, doesn't it.

We could not, of course, show the whole of the Needles Eye Cafe while our Friendship Club were having their annual cream tea there.   Such a sight would have been most indigestible.  So from among the many friends who were present we've just selected one couple, Hazel and Mary.   They certainly enjoyed themselves, and we know that all the other friends had a good time, too.   Thanks, Joan for organising it, and for this photo.

Now here's a couple of happy people.   Nora and Mike have just qualified as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  Nora has already begun her ministry, and Mike will be starting his in the next few days.   Our congratulations to them both!

And here's our final couple for this week, Wayne and Derek Hayward, who helped to clear unwanted items from our Parish Rooms last Monday.  We are very grateful to them for the use of their muscles and the van and for being such good sports to let us blog them, and we thank Margaret (Derek's husband) for lending him to us, and Frances for the photo.   Furthermore in recognition of their achievement in having got everything in the van without removing either the walls or the roof we would like to dedicate this gentle refrain (click!) to them. 

YET ANOTHER CONFIRMATION PHOTO!

Here is another picture of the group who were confirmed last week, from a different angle.  Our thanks to David Lawrence for this shot, which shows to good advantage in our new wider template.

BISHOP CONFIRMS OUR YOUNGSTERS

Chris was one of the ten candidates from our community who presented themselves to the Bishop at New Milton last Friday evening.   Here he is, surrounded by his family, receiving the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Crispian.

Young people from the four parishes of the New Forest Pastoral Area gathered around Bishop Crispian at the end of the Mass, which was held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

report and photos by Cathy

CWL EXPERIENCES FLOWER POWER

These lucky CWL members are about to experience a transformation.   From the bucketful of flowers, Pat produces a variety of glorious arrangements, and shows her audience how to emulate her.

  They are able to share Wendy's excitement as Pat's produces stunning groupings, some of which  have now been placed in the Church.

Afterwards, this candle, beautifully decorated as part of Pat's demonstration, was presented to Doreen.  She is still an active member at the age of 97, and first joined the CWL when she was eighteen years old!

photos by Freda

MORE HELP FOR THE COSTA ROSTER

Welcome to the Sunday morning coffee rota's latest recruits Martha and Kate, who joined Eileen this week to help quench the thirst of our Sunday morning Massgoers.   (No, that's not Martha's halo - it only happens when she stands under a hole in the roof and the sun's shining!)

FATHER DANNY McAVOY, S.M.M.

The man who is to become our Parish Priest in September of this year is Fr Danny McAvoy, who is a member of the Montfort Missionaries.  Although this will be Fr Danny’s first experience of ministering full time in a parish community, he has regularly helped parishes out at weekends, mainly in Southampton.   At first he was a prison chaplain, although as he always worked in a different prison to Canon Peter Wilkie they’ve never met, so that’s one pleasure he’s looking forward to.  For the past twelve years he has been attached to St Joseph's Pastoral Centre at Ashurst, initially running a 25-bed centre for refugees from countries such as Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.  After the work in the refuge was completed he went to work for three days a week as Chaplain to Alabaré Christian Care and Support, a wonderful charity founded by five Catholic families in Salisbury which now boasts 47 projects which take care of the most vulnerable in our society.   He is a qualified psychotherapist, specialising in trauma work with survivors of abuse and emotional deprivation.  He hopes to continue with this work in a way which supports his commitment to the Parish.

Fr Danny was born in Scotland, and although his and Fr Jamie’s careers have followed different courses, they have been friends since their days at school together in Paisley.   He will be coming to us in September, together with Mollie and Margaret Mary, of course.    (Margaret Mary’s the grumpy one.)  We shall all be looking forward very much to their joining us.   When Fr Danny was asked how he felt about taking on this new role as a Parish Priest he replied that working in a Parish setting will bring for him a real difference both in mission and in ministry.   Is he looking forward to it? “Oh, yes, very much so.”   

No, no, they’re his cats, silly!

          

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.