PARISHIONERS WIN THEIR CHURCH BACK

flickr.com

In the Spring of 2008 the splendid church of St Peter and St Paul, New Brighton, was under threat because of rising costs of repair and maintenance.    Despite strong protests it was closed in August of that year.   The parishioners formed a campaign committee which appealed to the Congregation of the Clergy in Rome.   In the summer of 2009 the Vatican ruled that the closure order was unjustified, but then other reasons were soon found for not reopening the church.   However, the parishioners' persistence and their fundraising efforts have now resulted, earlier this month, in part of the church being reopened for its first weekday Mass for almost three years.   We salute and congratulate St Peter and St Paul Parish, and wish them all success in the future.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

We were very sad indeed to hear that Colin Moon had died.    It was a real privilege to be with him as he battled with his frustrations

and a delight to share in his triumphs.     We pray for him knowing that he is going to Our Lord after a lifetime in God's service.

Our sincerest condolences to Frances, Denis and Angela, and to all those who were close to him.

FATHER EDWIN BARNES ORDAINED PRIEST

Several carloads of Lymington Parishioners together with Fathers Danny and Peter were at Portsmouth Cathedral on Saturday for Deacon Edwin's ordination to the priesthood.   We were all sitting in the front two rows and had an excellent view of his prostration during the Litany of the Saints.

After the Laying-on of Hands he was invested with his stole and chasuble by Fr Peter, who more than forty
years earlier had made a similar journey of faith to become a Catholic priest.

Now a fully ordained priest of the Catholic Church, Fr Edwin and his wife Jane stand between Bishop Crispian on the left of the photo and Fr Keith Newton, the newly appointed Ordinary, on the right. Although Fr Edwin will be part of the Ordinariate, he will also be working for the Diocese so will be available sometimes to help us in this Parish.  To prove that this could be so, sixteen hours after his ordination he was saying the early Sunday Mass at St Anne's before coming over to Lymington to assist the Bishop at the eleven o'clock Mass here.    Then on Monday he said the 9.30 Mass here, so he has certainly hit the ground running!      We wish him well and promise him our prayers.

WAS THIS OUR BISHOP'S LAST VISIT TO US?

Fr Crispian Hollis, the Bishop of our diocese of Portsmouth, came to our Parish to offer Mass here last Sunday morning.   He assured us that he had not come to inspect the Parish or to sort out problems, but to say goodbye to us as he is hoping that the Pope will allow him to retire this Autumn.

After Mass he joined us for a buffet lunch which would have fed hundreds, at which Cathy read for him a blessing from Benedictus by John O'Donohue.   The final lines are:
                                                         May the slow light of the Eucharist
                                                         Be a sure shelter around your future.

Then Clare made him a presentation on behalf of the Parish.    Bishop Crispian has had to tackle, during his time in office, one of the most critical periods in the history of our diocese.    He had to propose and carry out drastic solutions to some of the problems he faced, but showed himself willing to modify his proposals where an individual situation merited it.   We wish him well and pray that he will enjoy a happy retirement.

A PLACE OF PEACE IN OUR BUSY HOSPITAL

One of the lesser known pleasures of the new Lymington hospital is its Faith Room.    When you take the lift to the first floor, turn left along the main corridor and you'll find it just past the wards.

 photo by Cathy

Inside, all is peace.   There are some chairs, a table, some symbolic items, a few books and booklets, and a prayer mat.   A place where people of all faiths can think or pray quietly, or just relax.

WHY WE HAD CAKE AFTER MASS LAST SUNDAY

Rini was embarrassed to be presented with this beautiful cake at the end of Mass on Sunday.      She had hoped that we wouldn't find out that it was her seventieth birthday.  So who, you may well ask, was responsible for wikileaking this treasured secret to Fr Danny?    It was Keith, of course!    He looks a bit vunerable there, doesn't he!   But Rini's forgiven him, and everybody had cake with their coffee afterwards.

HOT POOL GETS GREAT GRANDMAMA WRINKLY

News from Nicky in NZ.  She's fine.  She and her family are in North Island, and the earthquake hasn't affected them.   A couple of weeks ago she sent us this picture of her paddling in the Pacific.  She tried to make us envious.   She said: "We have also been to the hot pools which are lovely and warm for swimming and afterwards you can relax in another pool of 29degrees and get all wrinkly."   It's all right for some, isn't it.   Come home soon, Nicky.   The choir needs all its members.   With the new bright lighting we can see how few of you there are up there!

THEY'RE ALSO KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH US

Judith and Anthony assure us that they are not Lymington parishioners, although we could be forgiven for thinking otherwise from the frequency of their visits to our Church on weekdays.    Yet on Sundays they regularly attend Mass at the St Francis of Assisi Church in their own parish of Milford.    So we're delighted to welcome them on to our blog, as friends and part of the community of this Pastoral Area.      They've other friends on the web, too, for Anthony is the Coordinator for our Pastoral Area of the Keeping In Touch (KIT) programme, which can also be found through Facebook.

ECUMENICAL AIR FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE

A meeting between Pope Benedict and Patriarch Kirill the Archbishop of Moscow and All Russia, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, looks increasingly possible, a senior Russian official said last Tuesday, according to the Moscow Times.     Relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches, which separated almost a thousand years ago, have warmed in recent years, making a meeting between the two men more likely, the official said.    He was speaking on the eve of a two-day visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Italy, where he met Pope Benedict.

The Catholic Times

Last year the Pope met Patriarch Bartholomew, the Orthodox Archbishop of Constantinople, and did not attempt to hide his feelings as they both greeted the crowds from the balcony. 

VANESSA TAKES ON BIG FUNDRAISING TASK

Kevin Finn has been managing the 100 Club for our Parish over the past ten years, during which time he has collected about £9000 for church funds.    That is a superb achievement, and he's worked very hard, so it's no wonder he is happy to be handing it over to Vanessa Connolly who will be running it in future.   She's a brave lady to take it on, so let's give her lots of support.    If you wish to purchase or renew your 100 Club entry for this year, please email vanessa.connolly944@btinternet.com or phone her on the number given in this week's newsletter and on the notice board just inside the coffee room.




photo by Frances

WE SNEAK A PEEP AS THE GREEK WEEK MEET

 http://www.paulandgreece.com

Some of the nineteen members of this year's trip to Greece entitled In the Footsteps of St Paul met for a few minutes last Sunday to check over the arrangements.   They will be leaving on Monday April 4th, and will be away for seven days.   We hope all their plans go well, and we have asked them to provide photos and information so they can share with us some of the interesting things they see and do.    We sneaked into their meeting to photograph them (they're such a handsome lot!), then thought more carefully about it and decided not to publish the photo, so you've got Philippi instead.  Next time you see it, it will be populated.  

CATHOLIC MEDIA OSCARS VOTED FOR DAILY

Voting is now taking place for the Catholic Readers' Choice Awards (http://catholicism.about.com)
The Catholic Herald is the only British newspaper to reach the finals, and Magnificat the only British magazine to do so.  (Wasn't The Tablet entered?)
One really impressive finalist in the best Catholic blog contest is the fantastic Whispers in the Loggia (http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/) and, Mums, don't miss Catholic Icing (http://catholicicing.blogspot.com/) - we can't wait to hear your comments (click comments below)
A finalist in the best Catholic website competition is the remarkably useful Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/)
Apparently while this is going on we can all vote once every day if we want to.   (Perhaps Britain should consider doing that at elections rather than AV - that would really keep our MP's on their toes!)

EDWIN ORDAINED TO THE DIACONATE

Ancient Richborough

Our congratulations to Edwin Barnes, who last Friday was ordained Deacon Edwin by Bishop Crispian in the Bishop's private chapel at Portsmouth.      The handful of people present at the ceremony included our own Deacon Stephen Morgan and, on the left of the photo, the Chancellor of Portsmouth Diocese.    

Two days later for the first time Deacon Edwin took his proper part in our Parish Sunday morning Mass.    This photo shows him carrying the Gospels in procession during the antiphonal hymn.    He has the support of our prayers and takes our best wishes with him as he continues his preparation for ordination to the priesthood on March 5th. 

FIRST STEPS TOWARDS FIRST COMMUNION

Here are some members of this year's First Communion Class enjoying their first session with catechist Becky McCoy.     Sister Veronica from St Dominic's Priory is another member of our catechetical team.    She won't be at the back of the class for long!

REMBRANDT'S VIEW OF RECONCILIATION

itinerantpreacher.org

Have you been into the Reconciliation Room lately?   If not, you may not have seen the huge reproduction of Rembrandt's Prodigal Son which now overlooks us penitents as we are reconciled to Our Blessed Lord through this wonderful sacrament.   You have to peer closely at the portrait to see that there are not just one, but three other characters in the picture.  We assume that the tall fellow on the extreme right is the unforgiving elder brother, but we don't know who the others are, and why they are there.     If you can enlighten us, please click on "comments" below.

.... AND APOLOGIES WERE RECEIVED FROM ....

We do not wish to suggest that it is a common practice for officers of the parish to go to great lengths to avoid attending the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council.   Yet last week, when the rest of us were doing our noble duty at the AGM, our intrepid investigator uncovered evidence of the attendance that evening of two ladies with an astonishing resemblance to our Hon. Secretary Frances and her daughter Angela at a Berber evening in Marrakech.
  - Where?
  - Marrakech.
  - That's what I thought you said.

It has been rumoured that they were actually taking part in a secret practical demonstration arranged by the Pontifical Commission for Post-Vatican II experimental Interfaith liturgy.     We're glad to hear that the font's going to be moved out of the way.

Thanks for the photos, Frances.  You're a sport!

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE HAS THIS MAN NOW?

Catholic Online

This is the first famous Benedict, the great Patron Saint of Europe who is often called the Father of Monasticism.  Deacon Keith Fournier suggests that the Pope's choice of this name for his Papacy was not accidental, but "providential and prophetic."   He notes the issues raised by the important Papal homily given last Sunday in which the Pope called the present era "the time of mission" and says that the whole Church is summoned to harvest.   Read Fournier's challenging commentary in the current edition of Catholic Online.   For our Parish's response, see the next item.

OUR VISION FOR MINISTRY AND MISSION

At the Parish AGM on Wednesday the PPC Chairman Clare Bassett invited us to celebrate the large number of events, ventures and projects which have taken place in our parish in the past twelve months.   Then Fr Danny told us how when he arrived here he had been moved to tears by the breadth of the pastoral care which flows round and outside our parish community, and thanked all those who through their ministries have helped to make the parish so active and vibrant.   Our mission, he told us, is to continue to develop ourselves as contemplatives, in order to strengthen and support our loving outreach.  We are an attractive community, and we need to be seen to be so.   There then followed a lively  discussion about how we can best support the children and young people in the parish, and it was suggested that we have a Mass on Sunday evenings.  You can join in this discussion too - please click on the word "comments" at the bottom of this article.

We welcomed one new Parish Councillor, Lesley Ellis.  

She replaces Lisa Thurston, who will however continue 

to produce the weekly newsletter. 

  Nick Filbee is our new Vice Chairman

 instead of John Collins, who retains 

his seat on the Council.

To add your view about Sunday evening Masses for young people, click on "comments" below. 

NOW - HIGHLY ILLUMINATED CHORISTERS!

What do you members of our choir think of your new lights?   We can see you better (or we would be able to if we were facing the other way and were a bit taller) and you can see your scores and books better.   And now you've got a loudspeaker of your own, over beside the furthest light on the right, which we hope will mean that you'll be able to hear everything as well.   All thanks to John!

HUNGER FOR TRUTH AFFECTS APPETITES

This photograph shows some of our Special Ministers of Holy Communion celebrating shortly after Fr Danny had presented each of them with a certificate confirming that they have been commissioned until December 2014.  Our ministers take their duties very seriously.    Are some so anxious to discuss the best ways to ensure finest liturgical practice that they are even ignoring the goodies provided for this very special occasion?   Just look at that sadly neglected cake!

We know that among the regular readers of our blog are Kay in Sicily and Hannah in Algiers. Greetings to both of you and to all our readers everywhere.   Are there other friends or relatives who live abroad or in different parts of this country?   If so, they may like to read our blog.  Have you told them about it, and given them our address at www.lymrcchurch.co.uk?

ACORN PROJECT - WEEKS THREE AND FOUR

Teacher Linda Rodway watches over a mixed group of children and patients at the Oakhaven Day Centre while work on their project is being undertaken.

During the final week the children showed us their finished work, then each pair were presented with certificates by the patient with whom they had been working.   They produced good work and impressed both patients and staff with their mature attitude, their self-control and the way in which they conducted themselves throughout the four weeks of the project.    Fr Danny, the parishioners, parents and staff watching must have felt really proud of our children, and after they had gone there was nothing but praise for them from the volunteers and patients.

DIOCESAN PASTORAL CONFERENCE GROUP

Six members from our two worshiping communities enjoyed attending this years Bournemouth Conference led by the Diocesan Department for Pastoral Formation.  The weekend was an opportunity to explore how we are called, as baptised people, to share our faith and experience with others.  The theme was approached through practical sessions, input, prayer, reflection and liturgy.  We would all thoroughly recommend this annual event.  It is ideal for all involved in church ministry in particular anyone who is interested in deepening their relationship with Jesus in order to share it with others.

Report and photo from Cathy

NEWS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE

Cody is quite the youngest baby ever to have featured on our blog, and he is our choir member Nicky's first great grandchild.   Here he is with his proud parents Daniel and Stephanie at home in New Zealand.  Now we know why you've been over there in New Zealand for so long, Nicky.   We'd thought you were just trying to escape the cold weather!

WALHAMPTON SCHOOL BACKS BASICS BANK

Sandra Jackson and Peter Chitty stand with Mrs Jackie Phillips, the wife of the headmaster of Hordle Walhampton School as she presents a cheque for £1353.66 to Phil Wiseman, the Chairman of Basics Bank.   The money was a share of the collection taken at the School's belated Carol Service, and will be used to supplement donations of food collected for needy people in the local community.   Basics Bank is managed and staffed by volunteers from all the Lymington Churches.

MORE TRAVELLERS ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD

Last week we were delighted to welcome two friendly new parishioners to our Church.   Here Jane is being confirmed by Fr Peter.    Edwin is sponsored by Norah, while behind her is Jane's sponsor, Fr John Catlin of Winchester.    Edwin and Jane have made a long, difficult and sometimes painful journey to reach us, so we treated them to our special homemade cake with their coffee afterwards!    We wish them all blessings in the future, and we hope that, despite the many other calls that may well be made on them, they will continue to enjoy a happy, relaxed and fruitful friendship with us in our community.

LOCAL CHRISTIANS PRAY FOR CHURCH UNITY

Last Sunday in the Community Centre Christians from the various Churches of Lymington met to pray for Christian Unity.  The service, which was attended by about fifty people, was led by the Quakers.   The great Quaker William Penn said in 1693: The humble, meek, merciful, just, pious and devout souls are everywhere of one religion; and when death has taken off the mask, they will know one another, though the diverse liveries they wear here make them strangers.

PLEASE DON'T GET OUR STITCHERS IN A TWIST

Jo and Margaret are two of the ladies producing lovely tank tops for the Children of the Universe Foundation.  They are members of our new Parish group called Stitch Across the Ocean.
 - But they're not stitching - they're knitting!
 - Yes, but this kind of knitting is called stitching.
 - But if a knit is a stitch, when is a stitch knot a knit?
If you can answer this question, or are interested in helping this good cause, this friendly group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, 2pm to 4pm in the Parish Rooms.

THEY WHO HESITATE WILL BE ASKED TO POSE

On Sunday Josephine and Henrietta were not quite quick enough to get away without being caught.   Thank you, ladies, for accepting your fate so happily!

MARGARET MARY MAKES THE BIG TIME AT LAST

Last year when we featured Mollie on this blog Fr Danny had a complaint from a reader in Belfast because a photo of Margaret Mary hadn't been included as well.    So, for the benefit of all our readers in Ireland and other cat-loving places, here she is on her regular rounds, just checking to make sure that our Parish office is being run properly.

LEST WE FORGET CHRISTIAN UNITY WEEK

The Catholic Times

We can see from the Pope's blog how much time the Vatican spends promoting Christian unity and inter-denominational dialogue.    We shall be able to join with our fellow Christians in praying together publicly for Christian unity at the annual service in the new hall at the Community Centre, Cannon Street this Sunday 23rd January at 6.30pm.

HE WAS JUST KEEPING IT WARM FOR YOU

Thank goodness, they're all going.   Now, perhaps, I can have a few minutes of peace and quiet......     Well, this is a nice warm seat.

TWO EMPTY CUPS, TWO GORGEOUS SMILES

Just look at these lovely smiles from Liz and Alice, for you and all our other readers.   And look at their empty cups.     That shows how good the coffee is after Sunday Mass, doesn't it?

HOW POWER WAS RESTORED TO THE PARISH

Let there be light, they cried, and heating as well!     And now there is, thanks to Stuart, James and their colleagues, who on Monday removed the temporary link with its little yellow labels, and restored our permanent electricity supply.   Our thanks to them all.

WHY WAS JOHN PAUL II's CASE FAST-TRACKED?

photo from Catholic Online

Some may wonder why a special case has been made of this man, and his beatification brought forward, in spite of existing rules forbidding this.   It's great to read what Keith Fournier said:  "This Polish Pope was so filled with the love of God it was contagious ........ He had a heart that embraced the whole world like the Heart of the One whom he represented on earth."   The full text of his tribute can be found at Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)    

You can listen to the announcement in the picture below (it's only 27 seconds) which was made last Friday at the Vatican, and which our blog published, sound and all, on the very day the date was announced!

JOHN PAUL II TO BE BEATIFIED ON MAY DAY

  Yes, the news that we had anticipated in yesterday's edition has become public.   Karol Wojtyla who as Pope was John Paul II will be beatified on May 1st.     What fantastic news!   

As our blog is now recording a substantial regular readership, our main concern in 2011 will be its content.     There are not yet many English Catholic parish blogs, and some of these consist mainly of a couple of homilies or a newsletter or both, whilst others try to sell a particular politico-religious view.
Our blog, on the other hand, is mainly an illustrated light-hearted look at our own parish and the activities of its parishioners, especially during the previous week, but with no special agenda in mind.    This year we will try to include more items of wider interest.    Please comment - it's our blog!

NOW DOES HE LOOK LIKE JOHN PAUL II?

Papa Ratzinger's Blog (4)

If you have the Papal blog address, you need to update it to http://paparatzinger4-blograffaella.blogspot.com/  or just use the link in our right hand column.    It's amazing how much activity was recorded on this blog in the first week of January alone.    We think it's more fun than the official Vatican website at www.vatican.va but we have to admit that the Google translation of the blog is terrible and it's laid out quite haphazardly.  For instance last Saturday the above photo appeared without a caption in a piece about the possible beatification of Pope John Paul II.   Perhaps the editor wasn't wearing his specs.

The official Vatican site is now in our list of links as well, so you have a choice.  Do have a look at both, and tell us what you think.

CRISIS NOT ONLY AT CHRISTMAS TIME

Ken Holdsworth from Crisis chats with Ann after his talk to the CWL on Tuesday.   He described some of the problems faced by the homeless, and reminded us that 35 years ago when it was founded, Crisis was a charity which gave people shelter in London for a week at Christmas.    Now it is an all-the-year organisation working in a number of English cities supporting homeless folk of all ages through training and other services until they obtain employment and are able to lead a normal life.   What wonderful work.   He was thanked and applauded warmly afterwards.

THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER .....

Chris, Felicity, Gillian, Frank, Jenny, Claire and Will (and Abigail, of course!) have come to Mass to remember the late Joseph Myers, and to pray for the repose of his soul.    He will surely rest in peace.

OAKHAVEN ACORN PROJECT - WEEK ONE

This week saw the introductory session of St Joseph's School's participation in the Acorn project.   Our pupils were first shown around Oakhaven and its facilities explained.   Then they came into the Day Centre to be introduced to each of the patients and volunteers who are taking part in the scheme, and to introduce themselves.

A huge milestone was passed this week when the five thousandth reader hit our blog.     (Click on "comments" below to find out more)   Our thanks to all of you who log in to our parish blog regularly.   It's your support that keeps us going!