November 6th was the feast day of the great Celtic saint, Illtud, so Nicky and John, together with ex-parishioners Jim and Rosemary celebrated it by visiting St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major, which stands at the very spot on which his first monastery was founded in the sixth century.     
 Among the treasures displayed in this ancient, yet incredibly well restored, building are these ancient Celtic stones and crosses two of which contain the names of kings.

Last week Our Lady of Mercy welcomed Fr Vincent Convery, who came to say Sunday Mass and stayed on to enjoy a cuppa with Tom and the rest of us in Joseph's Place.    It was good to meet you, Father!

This is a picture of members of the CWL, Lymington.  They have just filled their Christmas shoe boxes for the Ladies of the Inner Wheel to send to children who would otherwise have nothing at Christmas.

                         

                                     Under New Management

Frances (Standing, Left) takes on the onerous task of organizing the renewed Friendship Club, but her predecessor Clare is a hard act to follow! Yet with an almost full house, a brand new poetry corner, a sweethearted quiz and more yummy cakes and strawberries than the customers could consume, there were no complaints!

Welcome to our newest parishioner, Brooke Sienna Straw, being held here by proud parents Darren and Hayley.       
A few moments after this photo was taken Brooke became a true member of the Church of God through her baptism by Fr David at Our Lady of Lourdes.     
We rejoice for her and welcome her into our parish!

Meet Maria Goncalves (between Francoise & Len). 

Maria, from Portugal, is a new parishioner and a friend and neighbour of Len & Fran.  Maria wants to improve her English and needs practice. She would also like a new job in Retail or Hospitality. Does anyone know of anything suitable? Contact Len or Fran.

Sr Daphne simply wows us

Sr Daphne Norden joined us this weekend to make an appeal at the end of each Mass to help support 14 missionary communities at home and abroad. Her modest, unassuming and unpretentious manner made a deep impression, and after Mass she greeted us at the church door, where Clare thanked her on our behalf.

Our Founder's family get together in Joseph's Place.

When you take a seat for your morning coffee after Sunday Mass, you never know who'll sit down with you.    Little did Mike and Nicky realise that that they would be joined first by June, who has been honoured this week by a well-deserved award from the NFDC for neighbourliness, and then by three direct descendants of the founder of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Joseph Weld.      For this week Annette was joined by her daughter Tanya (on the left of the photo) and her son Charles (on Annette's right).   Incidentally, both Tanya and Charles attended St Joseph's School when that room they were in today was a classroom!

Fancy meeting you!

Fr David's having his well-deserved summer holiday now, but when retired priest Fr Ron Hishon came to do supply at Our Lady of Mercy last weekend, he didn't expect to meet a descendant of Joseph Weld, who founded this Church in 1859.     Yet after Mass who should greet him but Joseph's great great granddaughter Annette.     We're delighted to see her too, and hope she'll stay a little longer with us, despite the weather!

Happy Birthday, Mary!

Eileen brought a little more light into Mary's flat on her birthday last Friday, by leading a Eucharistic Service there, during which Kathy used the technique of Godly Play to enthrall us with the Gospel story of the Good Shepherd and Mary was able to receive Holy Communion.     Then all the parishioners who came to wish her many happy returns joined in the party which followed.

Welcome, Father David!

This weekend we welcomed our new Parish Priest, Fr David Adams.    He said Mass at St Francis Milford and both Masses at Our Lady of Mercy Lymington.     After the eleven o'clock Mass he joined us in the Parish Rooms, now renamed Joseph's Place, for coffee, and managed to get round the room to meet everyone!    We wish him all success in his new post, and assure him of our support.

Goodbye, Father Danny

Last Sunday, September 25th, the parish of Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph said goodbye to Fr Danny.     Holy Mass was concelebrated by Fr Danny and Fr Peter Ryan in the packed Church and relayed into the Parish Rooms, where the overflow congregation were able to watch the ceremony on the big TV screen.    At the end of the Mass Clare thanked Fr Danny, made a presentation on behalf of the parish, and said to him: "We never imagined what a large footprint you would leave behind, not only in our own Catholic family, but most of Lymington have been touched by you – especially Oakhaven Hospice where you brought peace and comfort to so many." Then lunch was served, and extra space provided in a marquee which had been erected in the car park.

We also said farewell to Rita and Max, not to mention Molly and Margaret Mary!

After lunch, goodbyes were said and Fr Danny was presented with a cake, a specially composed poem by Ros, many cards and a bouquet of roses.     We wish him well in his new post and pray that he will be able to make as valuable a contribution to the life of Bracknell Parish as he has done here.

This year's Lourdes Pilgrimage.

 Among those taking part in this year's annual Catholic Association Pilgrimage to Lourdes were two chaps from our Pastoral Area, and also our new Bishop.     He stayed with us the whole week, travelling to and from Lourdes in the same carriage as everyone else, and enjoying his meals with us.

 Although a great deal of clearing up has been done, some of the damage caused by the recent floods is still evident.   The bridge nearest the Rosary Square suffered so badly from the battering by trees and rocks brought down the River Gave that a temporary structure has had to be erected to enable pilgrims to cross.

The pilgrims have not been discouraged, however, and there were the usual crowds at the grotto, especially when Mass was being offered there.

One evening our group avoided the crush, and gathered for night prayers and reflection on the opposite bank, looking across at the candlelit grotto.    In this photo the upright white triangle near  the top left is the pyramid of candles, and the small statue placed where Our Lady appeared can be seen slightly to the right and above it.

The highlight of the closing days was the anointing of assisted pilgrims, of whom this year there was a record number.    Despite this Bishop Philip and his colleagues took time and care with each of them.

The Portsmouth group finished their week with a party on the roof of the seven-story Mercure Hotel.   Quite a number of our young helpers were able to join us to toast our new bishop and thank Fr John and his team for a very memorable week.

Joan celebates her 84th at Stanwell's with some friends from Our Lady & St Joseph's

Nicky and John went to the charming town of Bradford on Avon (in Wiltshire) this week, and visited the splendid Catholic Church there.  

                                  It's right in the centre, and was built as the Town Hall in 1855.    
When the Council moved to their efficient new offices it became redundant and was bought by the Church in 1955.   You can enter by the front door then up either of the grand, deeply-carpeted, semi-circular staircases to the first floor and into what was the huge Council Chamber.  It has been beautifully transformed into a magnificent church, dedicated to St Thomas More.

Year 6 Leavers' Assembly

At the year 6 Leaver's Assembly, Headtreacher Kirsty Richards gave glowing reports about each of the young people leaving our school this week.  From their willingness to help the younger school pupils to their prowess in sports and even to their welcoming smiles. 

A special presentation was made to Tony O'Connell on his retirement as a Governor after 15 years service.  

The young people each received a Certificate, their Records of Achievement and olive wood Rosary beads.  Fr Danny lead the whole Assembly in the Echo Our Father. 

Tea and cake was very welcome at the end of the afternoon. 

We give our prayers and best wishes to all our young people as they continue their educational journey.

Peggy Walsh's 92nd Birthday

 

On 11th July Fr Danny celebrated a House Mass at Birchy Hill Care Home.  
 It was for Peggy's 92nd birthday, Mary's 92nd birthday in September.....and also for Cathy who celebrated her (considerably younger) birthday on the day!
Though space was restricted, the Mass was attended by friends plus Jean who represented Birchy Hill. 

"Ramona, Charles, Adrian and Maria Heath-Saunders wish to thank Fr Danny for the presentation of the very beautiful Apostolic Blessing. This was a complete and delightful surprise and a great honour on the occasion of Ramona's 80th birthday. The whole family also wish Fr Danny every success, health and happiness in his new venture in Bracknell."

Thank you to all the Lymington Parishioners who sent their prayers and who came to my Dad's Funeral.  It was the best Funeral I have ever been-to! 

The Flowers were designed by Finola Shaw to incorporate my Dad's precious pieces of China from his career as Harrods Fine China Buyer. 

Finola also designed the Light of the World and the Sun and Moon display which you saw last week, at the St Saviour's Flower Festival. She is highly recommended!

Mary Dunn

There was a stunning Flower Festival at St Saviour's in Brockenhurst this weekend.

 Here are contributions by St Anne's chief flower-arranger, Janet Ward, on the themes of "Fire", "Light", and "Sun and Moon".

 

 

Fire

 

Light

Sun & Moon

Brockenhurst garden fete at St Annes

As our main fund raising event for the year it was a great success. We were blessed with ideal weather and a steady stream of visitors who enjoyed the many varied stalls and the entertainment.

 The parishioners of St Anne's were pleased to welcome Canon Wilkie at their Sunday service to celebrate his diamond jubilee with Father David.  

We had a celebratory drink after mass to mark this special occasion. The delicious chocolate cake went down very well - particularly with the children.

Canon Wilkie cutting the cake presented by the parish to mark his 60th Anniversary of Ordination.  Canon Wilkie offered the 6pm Mass with Monsignor Ryan and Fr Danny.  The celebration supper afterwards was attended by parishioners from Lymington and Milford-on-Sea and finished at 9 pm.

Last Sunday 11 of our young parishioners received Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament for the first time on their First Communion day.  Let us pray that God will keep them safe all the days of their lives.

The Hospitality centre was thronged afterwards and there were refreshments for the children in the Paul Duffy Room, including a wonderful cake.

The lovely Peggy Walsh pictured here with Fr Danny during a visit to her at Birchy Hill Nursing Home in Sway.  Peggy has settled in nicely in her new home and says the staff are 'absolutely marvelous' and those of us who have visited her recently couldn't better that!

St Anne's honoured the memory of Drummer Lee Rigby in the Lady Chapel.