The following was contributed by Cathy  who said "Publish and be damned!"

But does she mean the "being damned" bit  literally ?...........................

What do you call a Pope who resigns?

 On Saturday 16th February 2013, Peter and Lee hosted the first Lenten Meal with 'Gourmet" soup (made by Lee) and Bread and Cheese.

  

Everyone enjoyed the food and a chat in the warm and comfortable surroundings of the Hospitality suite.  

The proceeds of the meal are being donated to CAFOD.  

These Lenten meals will continue until the end of Lent and we hope many of you will be able to attend.  Each Saturday will be hosted by a different Parish Group.

Heartfelt Thanks to Peter & Lee

                                       
 At the Three Kings Party, St Francis Church, Milford-on-Sea on 11th January 2013.
 Left to right: Roger Maughan, Vasco from Lusaka, Paul Scarnell & Fr Danny.

YEAR OF FAITH

During this year of Faith we plan to have Permanent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Our Monstrance has now been housed in a secure toughened glass tabernacle beneath the Altar in order to allow us come into the Church and pray before the exposed Blessed Sacrament.  On the first Sunday of every month, at 4pm,  we will pray the Rosary followed by Benediction. 

Blessed are the Peace Makers

 

Our Amnesty Candle

which we have kept lit during this last week

 

In 1961, British lawyer Peter Benenson launched a worldwide campaign, “Appeal for Amnesty”, with the publication of an article in the Observer newspaper. The article, “The Forgotten Prisoners”, was written after he learned of two Portuguese students who were imprisoned for raising a toast to freedom. Reprinted in newspapers across the world, his appeal marked the beginning of Amnesty International.

On Human Rights Day, 10 December 1961, the first Amnesty International candle – which was to become the organization’s iconic symbol – was lit in the church of St-Martin-in-the-Fields, London.

Cathy Pickles

Our lovely Altar Server Jasmine as we have never seen her before! 

 She was appearing in New Forest Players production of Aladin at New Milton Memorial Hall. Some 25 parishioners attended last Sunday afternoon thanks, once again, to the brilliant organisational skills of Jackie. 

Afterwards many of us gathered in our own Hospitality Centre for a magnificent afternoon tea prepared for us by Leigh and Pete. 

Cathy Pickles

IS THIS MENAGE A TROIS GETTING A LITTLE BIT TOO CROWDED? 

When the one who claims to love you goes behind your back, and publicly displays his infidelity in the most blatant way, what can you do?     Furthermore, what can be more emotionally destructive of a relationship than when that betrayal is not even to a fellow feline, but to a member of the inferior canine species?    Even human beings should be able to understand that, surely.

We apologise for the delay in publishing this week’s blog, due to technical problems which have now been resolved.    So now here is our (slightly late) New Year’s Honours List.

THE PARISH BLOG NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST

It would not be possible to publish all the names and photos of the dozens of parishioners who deserve a gong for their achievements in 2012.   But during the past twelve months we did manage to mention a few of them in your blog

First on our list has to be all those who offer biscuits and cake to the hungry and coffee to those who thirst, deal with the dirty dishes and clean the place up afterwards.    In October your blog published a photo of this lovely quartet who, together with all the others of you who take your turns on the rota, serve us in this humble duty, and so deserve first place in our honours list.  

 The next group who must be honoured are those volunteers who help to improve the appearance of our churches by making the area surrounding our buildings more attractive and welcoming.    Some do it by planting and tending flowers, while this group, photographed for your blog in April, brought light into the garden of St Anne’s.    But no time to rest on your laurels, guys.    Just a few more months and it’s all going to have to be done again!

 Now to acknowledge the excellent work undertaken by those who lead and run Parish groups we select as an example the leaders of the ever popular Friendship Club, whom we blogged in July.       We think the bunch that organize this super group should be honoured by being known as Team CB.

Of course, somebody has to plan, delegate, cajole and remind others to ensure that things happen.   If that doesn’t work they do it themselves.   Such people deserve a gold medal each, and the titles that so often go with them.    This photo, taken in July, is of Sir Danny presenting Dame Cathy with a Papal Blessing, which is an even more prestigious award than being honoured in the Parish Blog.

NO PEACE IN THE LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Christmas has never really been very peaceful under the altar at Our Lady of Mercy.      Already we can see that some extra settlements have appeared this year.    That’s bound to cause more trouble.  

Then there’s all those immigrants coming in– three more of them expected in twelve days time.      And what are Eileen, Eileen and Clare going to do with these sheep that have just arrived?       It’s a good thing they’re going to have a census, isn’t it.

SIX FLAUTISTS GO A-FLUTING FOR OAKHAVEN

Last Saturday evening Tina and five of her flute-playing friends gave a recital at her house to raise funds for Oakhaven.       As well as giving their invited audience much pleasure they collected a total of £150 for the Hospice.    What a great Christmas present!

WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT A WHITE CHRISTMAS

You’ll find it in the Paul Duffy room, the one at the end of the right hand corridor in Our Lady of Mercy Hospitality Centre.     Here’s Lisa, Luke and Johnny setting it up.

SCHOLARS SING CAROLS FOR THE PARISH

This afternoon, 60 of our young students from Our Lady of Mercy and St Joseph's performed a magnificent carol service re-enacting the birth of Jesus Christ with their song. There were many outstanding soloists and narrators alongside the choral voices and those dressed up to take part in the tableau. Well done to all.
                                                                                                             photo and report by Cathy

CAROLLERS VISIT LOCAL RESIDENTIAL HOMES

One of the four groups of parishioners, young and old, who volunteered to sing carols at to residents of Lymington care and nursing homes, visited Barfields today.   The other groups went to Oakhaven, Freegrove and Solent Mead.

THAT WAS A BUSY WEEK FOR BASICS BANK

Santa visited Elmers Court Hotel last Sunday to collect goods for Basics Bank.    A clean shaven Desmond Swayne MP and District Council leader Cllr Barry Rickman got together on the bouncy castle in the absence of younger children.      It would have made an even better photo had we been able to persuade them to have their faces painted!     Sadly we had fewer visitors than last year but nevertheless £70 was donated and Santa's Sack was filled twice over during the course of the very enjoyable afternoon.

                                                                                                                   photo and report by Anthony

 

Clare and her team among the heaps of goodies which they had brought into the foyer of the URC Church on Tuesday.    Among the volunteers who made them all up into Christmas parcels that evening were some of our younger parishioners.       A total of 147 parcels were distributed, mostly paid for from money donated to Basics Bank.

WELCOME TO JACK, OUR NEWEST PARISHIONER

Simon and Mulgoriate Smith with their beautiful baby Jack posed with his godparents and their relatives before Jack received the Sacrament of Baptism, through which he became a member of the Church of God.       The graces he received when Fr Danny administered the Sacrament a few minutes after this photo was taken will enable him to become a strong and faithful Catholic Christian.      We wish him every blessing in the future.

LINDA SCORES HER HALF-CENTURY

Popular Hospital Chaplain Linda Lee celebrated her fiftieth birthday today by inviting members of other Christian denominations to join her for a coffee at a popular High Street café in Lymington.     A truly ecumenical gathering came to wish her well, including URC Minister the Rev Chris Vincent (left).      Linda works hard, cheering everyone up with her lovely smile, and we wish her many more years of healthy and happy service with the patients at New Forest Hospital.

LYMINGTON HIGH STREET DURING WWI

This old postcard, published in 1916, shows the High Street from its eastern end.    Close to the viewer on the right hand side can be seen the entrance to the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, just in front of the presbytery, looking almost the same as it does today.
Photo from www.newforestexplorersguide.co.uk  (Information and images - New Forest villages, wildlife, walks, cycling, history, commoning, pubs and much more.)

O COME THOU WISDOM FROM ON HIGH

The first of the four weeks of Advent is with us, so Joseph and Mary begin their journey along the four window sills on the right side of the Church of Our Lady of Mercy.   
 



Meanwhile on the other side of the Church the first of the four advent candles is alight, and as each week goes by an additional candle is lit.  

NEWEST ENTRANT TO THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB!

 

As last week’s Friendship Club meeting was drawing to a close, who should come to join in but Maura’s granddaughter Amelia Florence carried by proud mother Sally Ann.    Baby Amelia, six months old next Monday, will shortly be baptised at Corpus Christi Church, Boscombe.

LOCAL M.P. GETS WHISKERED FOR CHARITY

Local M.P. Desmond Swayne visited Basics Bank this week to donate a share of the sponsorship money he raised during November for various good causes by growing this handsome moustache and sideburns.       

 

U.R.C. CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL ENTRY

 

 

Jacqui and Catherine are just putting the finishing touches to the decorations on the tree entered by the Parish of Our Lady of Mercy in the Christmas Tree Festival at the URC Church this week.   If you want to see the other trees, you'll have to hurry - it finishes on Friday!

 

AN OAK HAVEN FOR THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

On Monday, parishioners from both Lymington and Milford on Sea attended a short service of blessing of the new Tabernacle at the Oakhaven Hospice. Also in attendance was Andrew Sharpe, the cabinet maker who constructed the Tabernacle using English Oak. Any resident (or member of staff) will now be able to visit the Chapel to sit before the Blessed Sacrament. It will also mean that Mass can now be celebrated in the Chapel at any time.

                                                                                                    Report and photo by Cathy

SUCCESSFUL FIRST PARISH CRAFT FAIR

Despite competition from the Priory and the Masonic Hall, the Craft Fair held last weekend attracted some work of high quality, and a number of parishioners as well as market shoppers came in to see the goods on display, and to make purchases.

The stalls were attractively laid out, and stallholders like Julia stayed quietly in the background, allowing the quality of the goods to sell themselves.

YOU SHOP, YOU DROP FOR BASICS BANK

 

 Shoppers at Lymington’s Waitrose this weekend will once more be greeted, for the second and final time, with a request to donate an item of food for distribution to the poor and needy of the area. 

 

The great generosity of Waitrose customers who gave at last weekend’s trolley drop resulted in a huge contribution to the stock of Basics Bank during these winter months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much was collected that it took the staff a whole morning to sort and store it all.     Our thanks to everyone who donated.

 

                                                         photos by Mary

PARISH St VINCENT de PAUL FOUNDER RETIRES

                                                                                                                                          photo by Cathy

Tom Turnbull, on the left of this photo, has been forced by ill health to give up not only the presidency of the Lymington Conference (above), but also the leadership of the Southampton District Council.     He started the SVP in Lymington, and it is largely due to his wise counsel and tireless efforts that it has survived and flourished.

Members of a number of local SVP conferences attended a retreat last weekend in Winchester’s fine new Parish Centre. They ate their lunchtime sandwiches in its splendid refectory.     This is a long photo; to see more of it use the right arrow key.   

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE

On Saturday 17th November the CWL attended Mass for their deceased members.  Next year they are hoping to attract new members.  They meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.15 if anyone would like to join them, or just observe with a view to joining, they will be very welcome.  The next meeting will be on January 8th 2013.
                                                                                                                   photo and report by Barbara

SKITTLING THE BLUES AWAY!

                                                                                                                                    photo by Anthony

The annual Milford v New Milton Skittles bash was graced this year with the addition of our friends from Brockenhurst and Lymington parishes. Two teams were formed and battle was joined, with the outcome far less important than the social occasion. Everyone played their part and got stuck into their “pub grub” meal with as much energy as they bowled the skittles. With all the dire news assaulting our ears these days it was a pleasure to take time out to chuck a few balls and send the skittles flying. Well done and three cheers for everybody who took part. Here’s to the next time!

                                                                                Thanks, Rita, for this report.

ANTIPODEAN VISITORS GET CHORAL WELCOME

Our intrepid reporter risked all to take this shot of members of the choir of Our Lady of Mercy as they were entertaining Nicky’s daughter Ruth and her friend June, here on holiday from New Zealand.

ST ANNE’S CELEBRATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY

 

 We spotlighted our Statue of St Anne for our Celebration Mass, and created a historical display at the back of the Church. Retired Deacon Hilary Parsons gave a superb Homily about the way that Catholicism has evolved in this country from his memories of his youth. He outlined the  difference it made to the Catholics of this area whenSt Anne's was consecrated. We feel very proud and privileged!

 

 

 

 

Photo and report by Mary

THEY WERE HAPPY TO BE SENT TO COVENTRY

                                                                                                                                     photo by Margaret

Margaret, Eileen and Jaqui had the privilege of representing our local CWL at the AGM and annual conference of the Catholic Women’s League of England and Wales at Coventry last month.      The photo shows the members being welcomed by Councillor Gary Crook, the deputy Lord Mayor of Coventry.

HOSPITALITY IN THE CENTRE OF OUR PARISH

Linda and Giselle were the two lovely ladies who took their turn serving and washing up to raise money for charity last Saturday morning in the Hospitality Centre.      We are grateful to them and to everyone else on the rota who makes it possible for us to relax over a cuppa after a busy morning shopping in Lymington  market.

INTERDENOMINATIONAL PRAYER WORKSHOPS

Mary And Sean were at Romsey Abbey for a Day called A Celebration of Holiness. 220 people came for Prayer Workshops, which took place as part of an all-day Liturgy celebrated by the new Bishop of Winchester. Mary's was one of 19 Workshops, and the two doves were her symbol to represent the Spirit present in a session of Spiritual Direction.  It was a truly energised and wonderful day!

photo by Mary

SEVENTY-FIVE AND STILL GOING STRONGLY

 On Sunday November 11th St Anne’s Church in Brockenhurst, with its unusual triptych of tribute in glass to three holy mothers, celebrates three quarters of a century since its foundation.     Have a good party, parishioners!

DOUBLE YOUR MONEY AT BASICS BANK

As a result of the generous donations received from local churches at their Harvest Festival services Louise, Phil and their colleagues will have no difficulty in providing food for  needy people in our area over the winter period.      Yet within a few months these shelves will begin to look bare again and Basics Bank will be relying heavily on monetary donations to buy food for those who cannot afford to do so themselves.  So for a short period from this week Localgiving will match any donation up to £10, and it can still be giftaided!    Go to http://localgiving.com/charity/newforestbasicsbank for details.

HIDDEN PARISH TALENT STAYS UNDERCOVER

What a super picture of the view from the Isle of Mull!   As soon as we saw it we begged to show it on the blog.     Can you guess who painted it?     The artist is a popular and well known parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy.       Sorry, we have been sworn to secrecy!