IT’S LADIES’ AFTERNOON AT THE LIDO

                                                                                                                                        photo by Nicky
Some boatowners moor their dinghies between Lymington Quay and the pontoon.      This dinghy hasn’t been used or even emptied, and provides a graphic illustration of the amount of rain which has fallen this summer.       For ducks here is a chance to wash out all that horrid salt which damages their feathers and exposes them to the cold.   They have spent the afternoon washing and preening themselves in their freshwater bath, and are now having a few minutes quiet time.   Their drakes do not condescend to join them, but swim by contemptuously.    Fancy making all that fuss about a little bit of salt in your underfeathers!

MISSION APPEAL FOR SPIRITANS RAISES £536

On Sunday Our Lady of Mercy and St Francis of Assisi Churches were visited by Fr Terry Donnelly (second from right in this photo).    He gave a stimulating Mission Appeal on behalf of his congregation, the Holy Ghost Community (the Spiritans).    The appeal raised a total of £536.73, and a further £25 can be recovered through gift aid.   For more information about the work of the Holy Ghost Fathers, click on: www.spiritans.co.uk
        

SUCCESSFUL MUSICAL EVENING AT ST ANNE'S

Our thanks to the Sisters for this photo, which is a still from the video which it is hoped will appear on the new Priory website (live but under construction) at www.dominicansistersofstjoseph.org

A concert by the Grainger String Quartet has boosted the funds of St Anne’s Catholic Church in Brockenhurst.      The program was very varied and included a wide range of musical styles from the classical to the contemporary in its 10 pieces.  Sr.  Mary Catherine from the Priory at Sway joined them in performing the Mozart Flute Quartet and the truly surprise item was a string quartet arrangement of the Dr Who theme.       The concert ended with a jaunty performance of Makin Whoopee and everyone agreed that this was a fitting conclusion to a thoroughly enjoyable evening.                               
Refreshments were served in the Parish Rooms during the interval and with an attendance of 65, the concert raised £336 which will be used for repairs and improvements.
                                                                                      Thank you, Michael, for this report.

A WELCOME VISIT FROM ELAINE AND NICK

At weekends Elaine and Nick Mellish sometimes visit Elaine’s sister Andrea in Pennington and come to Mass here on Sunday.      Elaine is a speech and language therapist, mostly helping pre-School children.       Nick was a pupil at Downside School at the same time as Lulworth’s owner Frederick Weld, whose ancestor Joseph gave the site and the Church of Our Lady of Mercy to us.    Also at Downside with Nick was Philip Hansom, the great great grandson of Joseph Aloysius Hansom, the architect of our Church.   As a senior pupil Nick recalls playing squash with and losing heavily to the Ampleforth Abbot (later Cardinal) Hume when he visited Downside.       We enjoyed chatting with Elaine and Nick, and look forward to seeing them again when they next visit us.

There's a photo in this week's blog which is too wide for the page.    So if you want to see the rest of it, use the right arrow key!

YEAR OF FAITH BEGINS WITH VATICAN II TALK

                                                                                           photo by Dave Hill, Portsmouth Youth Advisor
Last Thursday evening many of us from our Pastoral Area were privileged to hear Rev Father Gerry O'Collins give a very informative talk on the Second Vatican Council.  It is now 50 years since the start of Vatican 2 and 25 years since the publication of the revised Catechism of the Catholic Church.  At the start of the Year of Faith it gave us all a good spiritual beginning to remind us of the important Documents emanating from that Council.
                                                                           Thanks, Cathy, for this report.

DORIS RECEIVES PAPAL BLESSING AT 97YEARS

Fr Danny presented Doris Smith with an Apostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict on the occasion of her 97th Birthday.  Fr Danny commented afterwards that 'she couldn't have been more pleased if you had handed her 100 gold bars!'  Doris continues to receive the Blessed Sacrament in her home in Pennington from her faithful band of Ministers of Communion.
                                                             report and photo by Cathy

AN AREA RETREAT, THOUGH NOT AS PLANNED

The Pastoral Area’s Day of Recollection on Saturday was held partly on the site of Our Lady of Mercy and partly at the Lymington Community Centre.     Sadly the speaker, Fr Dermot Power, collapsed on his way here in the morning and was taken to hospital, but Fr Danny and Cathy gave us plenty to think about in the talks they gave when substituting for him at such short notice. 

One element of the day which did go as planned was the provision of refreshments.    The Authentic Paella Company were up to their usual high standard, whilst in the small kitchen Martha, Liz, Eileen and Frances cheerfully coped with everything, refreshed everybody and washed up after us all, then went down to the hospitality rooms and did it all again.     What would we do without them!

BEST BIRTHDAY TREAT JOAN COULD GIVE

For Fr Richard Hayward there could have been no better present for his sixtieth birthday than to be visited by his mother, Joan.     He has been living in Sweden and working as a priest there and in other parts of Scandinavia since 1984.      Here they are with Joan’s daughter Maureen outside the main doors of Stockholm Catholic Cathedral.

QUARR ABBEY'S ONE HUNDRED TOMORROW!

                                              Our thanks to the community who allowed us to go into their sanctuary to take this photo.
The day after this blog is published is the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Quarr Abbey, which took place on October 12th 1912.      At one time there were over a hundred monks there, but even though the community now numbers only eight, they continue to be a powerhouse of prayer in support of the local Christian parishes.  

 At the back of the Abbey building is the Pilgrims’ Chapel, which for individual visitors is an ideal place for quiet meditation with its separate altars and wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS FUN?

Last Saturday evening a very enjoyable quiz night was held in the Hospitality Rooms at Our Lady of Mercy, thanks to Fr Danny who also gave the ploughman’s supper which lovely Frances prepared.  Our thanks also to Egans, the Ship, Lounges and several parishioners for the generous prizes, and to Leigh and Georgie who did the raffle.    And of course, very special thanks to Jacqui and Peter who planned and arranged it all, and to quizmaster David who can be seen in our photo taken moments before the action started wondering what he’s let himself in for!

                                                                                       photo by Leigh

The Four Graces were the team that won first prize, and look what they got!     They received the shield, which will be engraved, and a bottle of wine each.  No wonder Liz, June, Pat and Louise look so happy.        They can’t wait for the next event that our super new social committee are arranging!

AUTUMN SPLENDOUR IN MADEIRA WALK

A fine Virginia Creeper coats the wall of this old alley behind the High Street where it connects with Captains Row, a hundred metres from the gates of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy.

MAY HE REST IN PEACE

We were saddened to hear of the death of Eddie Colehan.    A private, very devout man with a love of scripture, he sometimes read at daily Mass.    We send his family and friends our sincere condolences; his funeral will take place at St Anne’s Church on Tuesday 16th October at 11am.     

A MOMENT TO RELAX, THEN THE JOB BEGINS

                                                                                                                         Diocese of Portsmouth                                        
This photo of Bishop Philip, looking very relaxed, was taken a few days before he became our bishop.    At his ordination he prayed that he might be “a humble and holy, orthodox, creative and courageous Bishop of Portsmouth.”   Less than a week later he is already showing us what kind of a leader he is going to be.    When interviewed by Emer McCarthy for Vatican Radio this week he talked about us “gently evangelising” our land, once known as Mary’s Dowry. He emphasised the need for belief and for witness, and suggested some practical examples of small ways in which we can witness to our faith: wearing a crucifix, making the sign of the cross before a meal in public, and saying ‘Thank God’ when we hear good news.     But all this needs to be accompanied by a deepening spiritual devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.     To read more of what he said, or to listen to the interview, go to http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/10/01/from_mary's_dowry_a_gentle_new_evangelization/en1-625949

THE ANGELS MICHAEL, RAPHAEL AND GABRIEL

 

                                                                    Copy of icon by Arlene Tilghman.

Oh, Michael, mighty soldier of The Lord

Stretch out your arm when sin tempts us away,

Guard us from evil with your gleaming sword,

Hit hard and drive Satanic force away.

Raphael, come to us with healing balm,

With whispered words to cool the fevered brow,

When trouble rages, speak to us of calm,

Stay with us at this moment, here and now.

And Gabriel, God's messenger of peace,

"Glad tidings of great joy" for all to hear,

"Be not afraid," with these words all fears cease,

Both then and now and throughout every year.

Archangels three, protect us with God's love,

And guide us all to His kingdom above

                                                                                                 Ros Browne
                                                              Feast of the Angels  - September 29th                                  

FRIENDSHIP CLUB NOTCHES UP SIXTH YEAR

On Monday we celebrated the sixth anniversary of the foundation of the Friendship Club, by meeting together for lunch at the Wagon and Horses.     We enjoyed an excellent meal and outstandingly good service, thanks to the wise planning and hard work of Clare, Joan and the other parishioners who helped arrange it and the transporting of everybody.     One of the striking things about this happy club is the number of its members who have been with it from the beginning and attend consistently.    Long may they continue to enjoy each others’ company!

HERE IS THE NEW BISHOP OF PORTSMOUTH

Bishop Philip Egan, 8th Bishop of Portsmouth on the day of his Episcopal Ordination at St John's Cathedral, Portsmouth. No less than 18 Bishops, four Archbishops and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor were present in the tightly packed Cathedral on Monday of this week to celebrate a most beautiful Mass. A video of the Mass and Ordination can be found on the Diocescan website at www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk along with downloads of the service sheets et al.

After the Mass we were all invited to the Wardroom of H.M.S. Nelson for a reception.  It took Lisa no time to seek out one of the Officer's caps and pose for this picture! 





Later we returned to the Cathedral to take part in Evening Prayers during which Bishop Philip consecrated his life to the Heart of Christ in line with his chosen motto 'IN CORDE JESU'

                              Many thanks to Cathy for the photos and for this report

BLESSING OF THE NEW OAKHAVEN CHAPEL

On September 18th the Right Reverend Jonathan Frost, Anglican Bishop of Southampton, blessed the new Oakhaven Chapel in the presence of ministers and members of the other Christian churches in Lymington.    The keen-eyed among you will spot Fr Danny!
                                                            our thanks to Oakhaven for the use of this photo

CONFIRMATION MARKS A VERY SPECIAL DAY

Thursday 27th September was going to be a special day anyway.     It is the feast of the great Saint Vincent de Paul, specially noted in the parish of Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph because of the small but active SVP conference which meets there once a fortnight.
So the members of this conference, actively supported by Fr Danny, had decided to mark their feast by having a coffee and cake morning, to which all parishioners were invited, in the Parish hospitality rooms.

                                                                           photo by Frances
But the big surprise was that Frances' husband Den had asked to be confirmed at Mass that morning, so there was a very special reason to celebrate.   Congratulations, Den, from all of us, you've done so much for us and we're delighted to have you so completely with us in everything we do! 

OAKHAVEN’S TREE OF LIFE IS BLESSED

                                                                                                           photo by Frances
Earlier this week Oakhaven’s Tree of Life was blessed in a Service of Blessing and Remembrance conducted by Rev Kate Wilson.     Her words were:

Dear Lord, bless this tree and all that it stands for:
A memorial to those we love but no longer see here on earth;
A tribute to the loving care given by Oakhaven Hospice Trust both here at Pennington Chase and in the wider community; and
A symbol of hope for the future care to be bestowed on those who are in need of our care.

Each leaf has the name on it of a past patient of the hospice, and after the blessing was over the names were read out.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS - September 15th

Jesus, my son what have they done to you?

This is the sword of sorrow spoken of,

Which now has pierced my grieving heart clean through

Knowing you bore this agony for love.

I hear you beg forgiveness for the crowd,

Hear you cry out in deep despair and fear,

And in my grief my heart cries out aloud,

That God has not forsaken you, He’s here.

Although you hang there like some common thief,

I am your Mother and you are His son,

And though this passion is beyond belief,

You and I know that You and He are one.

Jesus, my Son, would I could be with You,

My love is yours, my broken heart is too.

                                                                           Ros Browne

Thanks, Ros, for this fine sonnet specially written for last Saturday’s memorial.    

PROFITABLE COFFEE MORNING FOR AMNESTY

This week’s coffee morning was taken over by the members of the local branch of Amnesty International.       Here Simone is tempting a passer-by to enter by showing her some of the lovely homemade cakes which had been donated to raise funds for their organisation.

All the work that was put in by this charming crew and their supporters was justly rewarded, as a total of £190 was  raised for this very worthy cause.

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?