GOD'S LOVE IN ACTION

This headline is the motto of the New Forest Basics Bank, which we shot while it was holding its AGM in the URC Church last Thursday.  During this last year the generosity of donors has enabled almost 800 food parcels to be sent out to needy families, many of them with young children.   We can all share in the privilege of helping with this wonderful work by leaving tins or packets of food in the box in the church porch.

ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND

Our blog had been trying to catch up with Kevin and Liz for weeks, but at last we cornered them just after they had finished their Sunday Lunch at the Royal Oak.    (Kevin had the beef, and, as you can see, he thoroughly enjoyed it!)

THEY ALSO SERVE WHO ONLY STAND .....

Here's another couple we've been waiting to catch together.   We're not certain that Tony was terribly keen about being photographed, but when he sees what a lovely shot this is of Cathy I'm sure he'll forgive us.

FIRST COMBINED CABINET CLOCK IN

This photo was taken as our representatives were assembling for the first joint meeting of our Parish's Pastoral Committee, Finance Committee and recently formed Impact Committee.   The job of these committees is to advise and assist Fr Danny in achieving his aims for the Parish, including pastoral mission, spiritual development and the regeneration of our site and buildings, especially our Church.   The function of the Impact Committee is to ensure that Parish funds and the money raised in the Living Our Faith campaign are used as effectively as possible, and to try to ensure that all parishioners are fully informed of what is being planned.

BENJAMIN ENTERS THE CHURCH

Young Benjamin Connolly was not in the least bit bothered about being snapped with his parents Lynn and Steven before he was baptised last Sunday.    But he gave the thumbs-up to his other fans, who were standing aside so the photo could be taken!

SISTERS GO TO SEE THE POPE

Sr Benedicta, Sr Julie and Sr Maria get into a good position to see the Pope pass by.

This is the snap they took as Benedict XVI passed in front of them.

Sr Hyacinthe carried the Dominican banner in the procession.

Our Lymington Church banner was carried by Anton Nichols, who is a regular server at the Convent.

WATCHING THE POPE ON THE WEB OR TV

Soon after the publication of our blog this week the Pope will be on his way to Britain.    Although we all welcome his visit, many of us will only be able to see him on a computer or television screen.    To keep abreast with the Papal programme, click on www.thepapalvisit.org.uk     Photos taken  during his visit can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/thepapalvisit (just click on them to enlarge).

NEW SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR FOR OUR SVP

This week our Parish Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society welcomed Fr Danny as its new chaplain.   But when he had to leave the meeting before it finished, Mollie leapt up to take his place.  Our photo shows Eileen, Eileen, Sue and Cathy being slightly distracted from SVP business by the unexpected substitution.

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

Coo-eee!    We can see you, Audrey!    Remember those misty grey rectangles around and over the Parish rooms - it turns out they were windows.    What a difference a good clean makes!  So get out those ukeleles, folks, and click to join the most famous window cleaner of them all.

IT DON'T SEEM A DAY TOO MUCH!

Congratulations from all of us to Peter and Clare on their fiftieth wedding anniversary.    This lovely couple do so much for the Parish, for the acivities of Churches Together, and for our Local Community.    We wish them many more happy years together.

ANOTHER NEW FRIEND AT THE CLUB

The Friendship Club were in top form again on Monday.   Who's that newcomer, going round meeting everybody?    It's Fr Danny, the latest recruit to our Club, chatting to Mary while Hazel and Tom watch. Meanwhile Veronica and Sue listen in awe to Peggy.  (Perhaps she's describing her latest fishing expedition, and showing them the size of the one that got away.)

HOSPICE EXILES FACE SUNSHINE PERIL

Well, with all this climate change going on you never know, the sun might come out.    So Freda and Barbara have taken precautions just in case it does.

BANK HOLIDAY TEA AT ST DOMINIC'S

All afternoon John S has been sitting at his table collecting subscriptions for the Sisters' 100 Club.   He's worn out now, poor chap, and he needs a nice hot cuppa, that delightful cream tea, and his afternoon nap.    But don't start your nap just yet, John, or you might spill the cup that Pat and Sharon poured out for you!

Photo by Mike R

It's not right that John C should be treated like this!    First he has his camera snatched from him, and now there's Sister Michelle creeping up on him from behind.    Shouldn't the Prioress be exercising control over her unruly visitors, not joining in the fun herself!

We would like to have been able to assure you that, even faced with competition of this quality, our Blog would have made mincemeat of the opposition.    However we have to admit that Sharon was so quick on the draw that our photo shows her several seconds after she'd taken her shot.

Like the rest of us, Joan and Brian have enjoyed an extremely pleasant afternoon, the Convent has raised over £700 and Sr Veronica hasn't lost the key.   Altogether another very successful function at St Dominic's.