ST JOHN: THE APOSTLE WHOM JESUS LOVED

St John is is the Evangelist whose Gospel is so important because it is such a wonderful reflection of the love of Jesus, yet his feast day seems almost to be squeezed into a leftover space in the packed calendar of Christmas week.   The founders of our Parish, however, honoured him with this window on the east side of our sanctuary.  

We can't work out what the artist has put in the chalice that St John is holding.    Can anyone help, please?

IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT, GET OUT OF ...

We did!   You can be sure that as soon as we had taken this foggy photo of Mike (second from left) and his terrific team serving up incredibly hot meals on Christmas Day, we got our camera safely out of the steamy kitchen straight away!

The waiting customers, most of whom would otherwise have spent Christmas Day alone, enjoyed a first class meal, thanks to St Thomas's for the use of their hall and the volunteers from the various Christian churches in Lymington who organised and manned this truly Christian function.

PARISHIONER WINS HAMPER IN SVP DRAW

On behalf of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Tom presents Joan with the hamper she won for a 50p ticket in the annual National SVP Draw.   And that's not all.    There was a gorgeous Christmas cake in the hamper as well.    What happened to it, Joan?    Oh, did you.   Well, you shouldn't have.   Next time wait until Tom has presented it to you!

SHROPSHIRE LAD AND LASS COME TO VISIT

Here's Jim and Mai from Craven Arms, in Shropshire, who've come all this way to visit Kathy, and to sample our hospitality after Mass on the feast of the Holy Family.    We hope the weather improves for you both by the time you make the return journey!

BETHLEHEM GETS PROPERLY STITCHED UP

It is difficult to believe that this magnificent tapestry is the work of our Knit and Stitch group, which was started only a few weeks ago.   This first project of theirs, the final stitching of which has now been completed, is of such quality that we have been reduced by it to a state of seriously silent admiration.   It is a terrific piece of work - a splendid collage of Bethlehem.   

Now it has been mounted behind the altar and makes a superb background for the figures of our crib waiting to receive the infant Jesus on Christmas Day, and for the visit of the Magi who this year will be arriving on January 2nd, having cut four days off their normal travelling time.    (memo to BAA - try camels?)

CHRISTINGLE DRAWS THE SHORT STRAW

This photo was taken before all the congregation arrived.   Even so there was no way in which the carefully dimmed lighting and clever candle display could hide the low numbers.   Not really surprising, since Christingle was the third event held in our Church on the same icy day.  

The children were not at all put out by having such a small audience, and gave of their very best.    Here are part of the cast, snapped from the wings.   Well done all of you!

HOW GOOD WAS OUR CHRISTMAS TREE

Our entry for this year's Christmas Tree Festival at the URC Church was really striking.    What you cannot see from this photo is the amount of work which Cathryn and her team put into the individual decorations.   We are very grateful to them.    The Parish can be justly proud of our entry in this year's festival.

CALLING ALL WINDOW SILL NON-WATCHERS!

Just in case there is anyone (surely not!) who hasn't been following our church's rotating window sills, here is a guide to the four weeks of Advent as displayed on the west (right hand) side of the nave until Christmas Eve:

First week: The Lord is coming and will not delay; he will bring every hidden thing to light and reveal himself to every nation.

Second week: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.

Third week: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!  The Lord is near!

Fourth week: The maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son, whom she will call Emmanuel.

FINALLY, THE BEST FLASH MOB SHOW EVER!

As a special treat for us for Christmas, Cathy has found a fantastic clip on Youtube, to whom our thanks for allowing us to reproduce it here.   With our apologies to anyone who has seen it already, here it is for those of you who have not yet had that opportunity.   It comes to you with our very best wishes or a happy and holy Christmas.   Just click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE  Enjoy!

ST.BERNADETTE ARRIVES AT THE GROTTO

Even though he's now living a long way from Lymington, Big Jim continued to work on his superb sculpture of St
Bernadette, which he had started before he left our parish.  Now that he has completed it, he returned last weekend to see it formally blessed and installed in the grotto behind the Church.    He and Patricia, who commissioned the work herself and generously donated it to the Parish, watch over it proudly after the ceremony.

SHOW AIDS BRAIN TUMOUR VICTIMS

Here are just some of the hard-working team who helped our Bernadette, in the centre of the picture, to put on a charming display of dance, music and fun to entertain us at the annual children's concert.    Money was raised for the Parish and for the brain tumour research team at the Wessex Cancer Trust.   The contribution to the Trust will be made on behalf of Samantha Cashen, who is also being given a video of the show which she was not able to attend.    We pray that she will make a full recovery.

CWL LADIES LOOKING FORWARD TO A TREAT

Deirdre, Ramona, Wendy and Ellen wait patiently to be called into the Stanwell's dining room for their Christmas lunch.      We are assured that the meal was well worth waiting for, but being of the wrong gender we were sadly unable to join the lovely ladies of the Catholic Women's League and so could not confirm this!

CLASS FOUR BEING WELL GOVERNED

Here's a Governor really playing a full part in the life of the School.    This is Sean organizing Class 4 from our Junior School, when they visited the Church on Tuesday.  Shortly after this photo was taken, the children were sent off to different parts of the building, to explore the church and to find out all about it individually or in small groups accompanied by members of staff.   What a good way to learn!

YOUNGSTERS' VIEW OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

For our first post of Advent, we open with this gorgeous portrait of John the Baptist, contributed by the Children's Liturgy Group.   You can imagine him thundering at the Pharisees, can't you.   "You brood of vipers ...!"    And with muscles like that, he would have had no difficulty plunging penitents down into the Jordan, and pulling them back up onto their feet again.   Clearly all those locusts and jars of wild honey have done marvels for his physique, but before starting this diet, fellows, you are advised to check with your GP.

CAKE FOR BODY FOLLOWS FOOD FOR SOUL

Brockenhurst hosted the first two of the Advent Sunday afternoon events, then fed us cake.    Here's Joan holding hers rather gingerly, with Paddy behind her and Margaret in the middle being offered a slice by Neville.   (Margaret's not sure whether she should, but we think she's going to.)
In the background with Mgr Peter and Fr Danny is Big Jim, who has absolutely no fear of cake.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB'S ST NICHOLAS DAY MEAL

The Friendship Club chose Santa Claus's real feast day on December 6th for their Christmas lunch at the South Lawn Hotel.

It was good to see Pam and Peggy there.   We did think of stopping on the way to Milford, and photographing Pam indicating with her arms which way we had to go, but in the end we decided to take shots in the hotel lounge.    Watch that drink, Peggy.   You'll get rusty if you drink too much of that!   But don't they both look great!     They were obviously enjoying themselves.

Now here's three very jolly partygoers.    Noreen, Maura and Delia look so happy that we expect them to burst into song at any moment.   How about  "Baby, it's cold outside"?

 At first we thought this was a group of Lib Dem MP's, trying to make up their minds which way to vote on tuition fees.    Then we realized it was Peter, John and Eileen having a discussion.   We're certain there won't be any divisions here!

Pam and Betty have found themselves a quiet corner here.  But we soon put paid to that!   We were delighted to find that we had another charming lady named Pam with us at the party.  She hasn't suffered being blogged by us before, which is probably why she's not looking at all worried at the prospect!

ELISA KNOCKS UP NINETY ON THE STRAIGHT

Watched by Cathy, and by Pat who made and decorated that smashing cake, Fr Danny presents Elisa to the congregation, who applaud enthusiastically.    No, your Grace, there isn't a riot at the end of Mass every Sunday.   Just this one.   And why not?     For today we celebrate Elisa's ninetieth birthday.

What a beautifully decorated cake!   Surely you're not going to cut it up for us all to have a piece?   

 For me?      Oh well, then, if you insist.   Thank you, Elisa, and here's to a very happy year ahead, with good health and the support of your lovely family!

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

It is with great sadness that we have to record the death of Robert Keen, a popular and much-loved member of our Parish.   Robert was a Senior Research Associate at St Edmund's College, Cambridge.  "He was an extremely valuable member of the Council of the Catholic Union of Great Britain for a number of years and was the founder chairman of the Education Working Group," a spokesman said, "he will be greatly missed."     He was also a member of the International Thomas More Society.
 Until a few months ago he often presided over the Eucharistic service at our Church on Wednesday mornings.  We join with Pam and the family in their grief at his passing, and pray that he may now rest in peace.


We have also received the news of the sudden death of the Reverend Monica Mills, the Minister of Lymington URC Church.    It seems only a few months since her appointment to that community, who had coped remarkably well without a minister for so long, and who were naturally delighted when she arrived.   Her death is a real tragedy for the members of that congregation as well as for her husband and their family.    We ask them to accept our sincere regards and condolences, and assure them of our prayers.

CHRISTMAS FAIR AT ST DOMINIC'S PRIORY

Last Saturday the Christmas Fair at the Priory raised more than £1400, due in some measure to help from parishioners of our Parish.     Here are some impressions from that day.

An hour before the opening, the Cake Stall Squad arrive.     A quick cuppa, then down to business straight away.   Off comes the polythene wrapping, and then on to the important matter of deciding what prices to charge.     Freda, Patricia, Joan and Jo are going to make those decisions very carefully.

Once the fair gets going, however,  the rooms quickly fill with hungry visitors, some of whom have been queueing up outside in the cold for more than half an hour.    Anyone for a slice of pizza?    It looks irresistible, especially when it's served up with such lovely smiles from Louise and Pat!

Just look at all these beautiful dolls!     Sister Sadora who's looking after the stall is the latest postulant to join the community at St Dominic's.     We should make it clear, however, that her happy headwear is not the new approved veil for Dominican postulants!    She hails from Kentucky, so let us welcome her with a few words (click) from Carolina Bluegrass.

ST FLORA OF CORDOBA, PRAY FOR US

At the time of Flora's birth in about 830AD Spain was under Muslim rule.    Flora's father was a Muslim, so his daughter was supposed to be a Muslim too, but after his death her mother brought her up secretly as a Christian.   When Flora grew up she was questioned by the Muslim authorities but refused to renounce her Christian faith, so she was arrested.    When she was brought before the Sharia Court she denounced Islam openly, and publicly proclaimed her Christian faith.   For doing so she was convicted of apostasy and executed by decapitation, probably in the year 851.    The image above in the right-hand panel of our great south window shows Flora with the lily of virginity in one hand and the other holding the sword of her execution.
On November 24th we remembered her martyrdom, and asked her as we have done in the past to intercede for our Parish and for its future.

NOW HERE'S A HANDSOME FAMILY!

"I am the family face .... projecting trait and trace ...." Thomas Hardy's words are splendidly and proudly illustrated by this lovely family shot of Elaine, Perry, Eleanor, Doris, Sarah-Jane and James, rounded up as they were trying to escape after Mass on Sunday!

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH, MAYA!

Here is beautiful baby Maya Solan with parents Arkadiusz and Monika standing by the gateway to life in the Spirit, just before the beginning of the service of Baptism last Sunday.    This the Sacrament which marks Maya with a seal that cannot be broken, and our Parish rejoices as another new member of Christ joins us.

ANOTHER LOVELY BABY BAPTISED

Godparents Thomas and Clare watch as Fr Danny prepares Florence Duignan for her Baptism on Sunday afternoon.   Despite the encouragement of parents John and Elizabeth, Florence appears at first a little uncertain about the idea of becoming one of God's children!   We're glad to report, however, that a few minutes after this shot was taken she was happily baptised, born of water and the Spirit, and we welcomed her into our Parish family.

CHURCH REGENERATION NOW UNDER WAY

The first stage of the Church improvements and maintenance work promised during the Living Our Faith campaign has been taking place over the past three weeks.    The Sacristy has undergone a complete and badly-needed redecoration.

The Church porch has been transformed, and most of the doors in the Church have now been resealed.     

The most noticeable changes have been in the choirloft.   The dull old brown paintwork has gone, and has been replaced by a cheerful cream, which has made the whole Church lighter.     There are to be further improvements in the lighting - watch this space.

There is now a handrail on both sides of the narrow, awkward stairway, and good thick carpet has been fitted on the floor and stairs.    There's a lot more to be done in our Church yet.    Our thanks and congratulations to those of you who made this all possible through your pledges to Living Our Faith, to Fr Danny, who has moved so promptly to get this started, and to the men in the Finance and Property team, who have worked so hard to plan and undertake this work.

MASSGOERS EVACUATED ON WEEKDAYS

During the "blitz" while the sanctuary, choirloft, porch and sacristy were being restored and redecorated, Holy Mass was offered each day in the Parish Rooms instead of the Church.

NEW LEADER FOR CHURCHES TOGETHER

        At last week's A.G.M. of Lymington Churches Together the Reverend Alex Russell, Vicar of St Mark's Pennington, was elected Chairman, and took her place between the secretary Janet Anderson of Boldre and the treasurer Peter Lee of St Thomas' Church.     During the year Churches Together organize many activities in which Christians of all denominations can take part together.    These are advertised in our Parish newsletter.

ROBED WITH A CENTURY OF BAPTISMS

After Mass on Sunday Lily-Mae Chrisp made her triumphant entrance into the family of Jesus Christ adorned with the robe which has been worn by her predecessors at their Christenings for more than a hundred years.  Here proud parents Wayne and Carolyn are seen holding her for a photo just before her Baptism, through which she became part of the Church, and was reborn as a child of God.

BEWARE! CARDSHARPS ON THE LOOSE!

Is a big win on the cards?   You'd think so, with Eileen checking the takings while Peggy and Ellen try to guess which packet's got the £50 note hidden inside it!   But the real winners here are the Catholic Disability Fellowship.   What better reason could anyone have for purchasing a few cards?

NOT JUST AN ORDINARY CUP OF COFFEE

Our cafe was very full this week but Blog was lucky enough to find a seat with three lovely ladies.    Here they are - Doris, Cathy and Margaret, drinking to the week ahead in a cup of our very own specially selected Parish coffee!   Good luck and good health to all three of you!

SIGNS OF NEW GROWTH IN OUR BLOG

Last week we showed how the readership of our Parish Blog has grown over the past twelve months.  Here are some more details.  

Of the 3850 hits recorded during the year, 2812 took place since the beginning of July.   The majority of these were from people who have our site on their "Favourites".    Only 45 typed in the address given in the Parish newsletter.    467 arrived through a search engine such as Google.   193 clicked the link on the New Forest Pastoral Area site, and 140 used the link on the copy of our Parish newsletter which appears on that site.

2048 of the hits scored since July 1st were from the UK, 289 from the USA and 63 from Canada.   39 were from China, 36 from Germany, 32 from the Ukraine, 31 from Poland, 26 from India and 23 from Russia.  One Russian visitor attempted to make a lighthearted comment on the Sept 2nd post "Bank Holiday Tea at St Dominic's", and although we haven't been able to make a lot of sense of it, we have allowed both it and its translation to appear there. 
  
We doubt parishioners will be surprised to learn that the most popular post on our blog with 266 hits so far and more being added every week is the June 3rd interview with Fr Danny. 

A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST FOR AVA

Ava Etheridge arriving last Sunday with parents Anthony and Holly and brother Simon, at the doorway into her new life in the Church through Baptism.    We welcome her into our community, and pray that having received this sacrament, she will grow up a strong, faithful Christian.

RECOLLECTION DAY AT THE CONVENT

On Saturday lay ministers and readers from all four parishes in our Pastoral Area gathered for a second Day of Recollection at St Dominic's.   Our leader was Fr Andrew McMahon OFM, who gave us fascinating insights into the life of St Francis and the Franciscans, and is seen here talking to Anthony outside the Chapel.

Here is one of the groups which came together for their sandwiches at lunchtime.   From front left (clockwise) they are: Christine, Jane, Susan, Robin, Shelley, Grace and Tom.

OUR PARISH BLOG IS ONE YEAR OLD!

Our Parish Blog started steadily enough in November 2009 and had reached 50 hits per week over Christmas.  The graph shows how in the early Spring two posts each provoked more than 100 hits.  The first on January 6th was the result of Sr Michelle's election, and the second on February 4th was a picture of a lavatory door!  Towards the end of March our computer was out of action for three weeks, but it was four more weeks before our readership recovered itself.   The next peak (June 10th) was during the fortnight after Fr Danny's first visit.   Then came the nine weeks of August and September, during which we averaged 167 hits per week.   The high point (July 29th) was when one post had nine photos taken at Fr Jamie's farewell party and scored 248 hits.   201 readers logged in during the week of the Papal visit (September 15th).

We are now studying other statistics to find out more about our readers, how they log in, why they do so and which items in the blog interest them the most.  We suspect that we may be about to uncover some surprising facts, so watch this space!

THE THIRD PAPA RATZINGER BLOG

Another anniversary which will be coming up soon is that of the Papa Ratzinger Blog, which will be two years old in February.   It gives accurate information about what is currently happening in the Vatican, before any of the media have had the chance to put their own particular spin on it.    The latest version is Blog 3, which is at  http://paparatzinger3-blograffaella.blogspot.com    This photo is taken from it.    We'll keep a link to it in our right hand column.

CAUGHT WITHOUT THEIR BICYCLES

Last Sunday we stopped Adrian and Mary after Mass and found that they hadn't come on their bikes this week.  So here's a rare photo of them about to leave the Church on foot!

STITCHES TO BE DROPPED TWO WEEKS

Ramona, Eileen, Joy and Frances were among those who came last Friday when the Knit and Stitch Club held its first meeting in the Parish Rooms.    Conspicuous by their non-attendance were male parishioners, though we are assured that they would have been made very welcome had they been there.     The Club will not be meeting this week or next for unspecified reasons (don't ask!), so the next session will be on November 5th and will start half an hour later at 1.30pm, finishing at 3.30pm.  
Remember that the meeting times of all the Parish clubs and societies are shown at the end of this section of the Blog.    Just scroll down to the bottom to check that your club is listed correctly.

PREACHER MEETS PRESIDENT

Last weekend we were visited by Fr.David Saunders of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), who appealed on behalf of his order, then chatted to parishioners as they left the Church.   Here he is with Tom, who has taken to dressing very smartly these days, hasn't he.   We don't mind, because we're proud to have the President of the District Council of the SVP in our Parish, and if that means having to put up with him going around all spruced up and snazzy before he goes to a meeting, then we shall just have to suffer in silence!  

WELCOME TO THE CHURCH, SOPHIA!

On Sunday Sophia Putt became a member of Christ and of our Parish through Baptism.    Here she is with parents Inona and David a few minutes before her Sacramental Rebirth as a child of God, doing her best to smile into the unseasonably bright sunshine.