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.