'Let us add to our prayers, which allow us to fly more easily to God, both almsgiving and fasting, the two wings, as it were, of devotion.' (St Augustine Sermon 206, on Lent)
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February / March '10 News
First, an apology for the late running of the web news, which has meant a very long newspage to cover the last couple of months. It has been an extraordinarily busy few weeks.
On Tuesday 19th January, we celebrated Fr Hugh’s anniversary with a day of prayer. Fr Ian Patterson presided and preached at the Mass, which several of the deanery priests were also able to attend, along with several members of Fr Hugh’s family and friends as well as local parishioners; most people were able to stay for lunch afterwards.
We have also had several happier celebrations. On the feast of Candlemass, we were joined by our guests for a mini-pilgrimage by candlelight to the Grotto, to say a decade of the rosary just as night was falling. On 11th February we invited several guests for Mass and lunch on our patronal feast day, Our Lady of Lourdes. Lent has been very happily interrupted by a fittingly joyful celebration of Sr Geneviève’s 80th birthday, when we were delighted to welcome several of her family from France. We all enjoyed a lovely performance of popular classical music by The Lakes Quartet before lunch.
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Sr Margaret travelled to Oxford for a colloquium entitled ‘Thought for Food’ at Blackfriars on 30th January. This covered a fascinating range of ethical, political and theological topics, and speakers included a farmer and charity workers as well as experts on global food production. Sr Margaret’s talk led to a short Lenten reflection published in the Lancaster Voice.
On 29th January, Fr Dixie was asked for a lecture on Catholic leadership by the Salford-Shrewsbury Catholic Teachers. He spoke of four principles that are fundamental: competence, conviction, community and compassion. These he found exemplified in the life and work of Card. Newman, hoping to indicate pastorally and paedagogically some of the implications of his beatification in September 2010. At the end of February, the Irish Christian Brothers, who opened St. Anselm's College in Birkenhead in 1933, asked Fr Dixie to give them their final retreat as they leave their foundation for retirement elsewhere later this year. He lead the weeklong retreat under the title 'Believing with St Mark'.
Recent Marymount Music Nights have included ‘An evening with Mozart’ and the themes of patriotism and nostalgia.
On the 23rd February Day Srs Eileen, Elizabeth Mary, Annette, Anne and Ildikó attended the annual gathering of Religious of the Diocese at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Preston. After a welcome cup of tea and biscuits on arrival, the day began with Mass at 2 p.m. followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament until 4 p.m. The Bishop gave us a short address before he proceeded to close the Exposition with Benediction. After Benediction the Sisters had, as usual, prepared a beautiful buffet supper which was enjoyed by all, and this also gave us the opportunity to mingle with Sisters and Brothers of other orders than our own.
On Saturday 6th March, Srs Anne, Eileen, Annette and Sr Marian from Park House in Liverpool went to the local production of Carousel. This was performed by the Grange and District Amateur Operatic Society to their usual high standards. In the afternoon, some of the patients from the Nursing Home had been along with some of their nurses.
On the last weekend in January, Sr Anne held her usual retreat/social for those who had been attached to Newcastle Chaplaincy during the time she was University Chaplain there. She writes: The retreat was given by Fr Michael Cunningham SDB who spoke on prayer and the closeness of God to us. This was well attended as usual with ex-students and their spouses and children and other individual ex-students. Three of us there were godparents to three children of different families. The weekend was appreciated by all as were Fr Michael Cunningham's talks: they asked him to return for next year to which he has agreed. This will take place on 21st - 23rd January 2011.
Our Women’s World Day of Prayer took place late because of our retreat, on Friday 12th March, led by Sheila Ricketts. The theme was ‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord’, and the programme was chosen by the women of the Cameroons. Many thanks to Sheila for leading this for the patients, members of the Community and other friends, and to Veronica for playing for us.
The Thinking Scripture week from 20th to 27th February focused on St John. We welcomed old friends and new, from near and far. As well as the study, we enjoyed our usual mix of cultural and social activities, and even, despite the best attempts of the weather, a couple of very good walks. For a full report see the Thinking Scripture page.
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On 12th-14th March, the Time to Reflect retreat for lecturers in Higher Education focused on John Henry Newman, with Fr Dixie talking on his life and faith and his fundamental convictions.
Very lively discussions followed. The group also enjoyed informal conversation, walks and opportunities for quiet time, as well as a film one evening.
The community retreat took place from 28th February to 6th March, led by, Fr David Elder. Fr David focused on the mercy and love of God, and his talks and friendly presence were greatly appreciated. On cue, the sun came out on 1st March, so we could make the most of some lovely spring weather. We were also inspired by a picture entitled ‘The Giving of the Spirit’ donated by the artist, Pauline Pym, which we were able to put up against the window in the community room for our conferences.
An exciting decision at last year’s General Chapter of the Federation was to grant autonomy to our houses in Nigeria. Sisters Carmel and Mary from Park House joined the Mother General and Assistant in attending the opening ceremonies in January. We congratulate Sr Francisca, who was elected their first superior, and we offer her and all her Sisters our best wishes and prayers for the future.
More recent news! March supplement
We were delighted to welcome the new Mother General, Sr Marie-Claude, and her Assistant, Sr Anne-Marie, for a few days in mid-March. The sun shone (our French visitors always seem to have this effect), so they could see Boarbank at its best, and also enjoy a visit to the Lakes and to our Ambleside house. They brought us news of our communities in France and in Africa, including photographs from their visit to Nigeria to celebrate the autonomy of our houses there, and the perpetual profession of Sister Helen Mary. They were also able to be with us to celebrate Sr Yvonne’s 90th birthday, bringing warm good wishes from her many friends from her time in France.
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We have also been sent a few photos of the Time to Reflect weekend - many thanks to Ruth.
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Marymount has opened up again, after a recent ‘bug’. This enabled us to have a belated celebration with patients, staff and guests of our two recent birthdays. It also allowed a return to Music Nights, with an evening entitled ‘Beginning with “B”’, from Boccherini to Irving Berlin, via Busoni and Bazzini (a marvellous 19th century composer of virtuoso violin music, in case you are wondering ... discovered thanks to Fr Hugh.) A big "thank you" to the patients, staff and visitors for their patience and co-operation during the bug, which now seems to have gone. Thanks be to God! We hope to continue as usual.....
Finally, a definite sign that spring is here - the fireplace has now been put to bed, and Compline has returned to the chapel. But here is a photo by which to remember our happy evenings around the fire.
Future Events
This web news is long enough! But as it goes to Press we are preparing to welcome our Mother General, Sr Marie Claude, and her Assistant, Sr Anne Marie, for a few days. More next month ....! We hope to provide a supplement very soon, including news of this as well as more pictures from recent events.
We are now taking bookings for our Thinking Faith (24th-30th July), Thinking Scripture (11th-18th September) and Health and Salvation (15th-21st November) weeks. The second two will be repeating recent themes, ‘The Gospel of John’ and ‘Health and Community’ respectively. For more see the Events page.
Holy Week and Easter service times in Boarbank Chapel
| Palm Sunday | Mass 10 am. |
| Maundy Thursday | Morning Prayer 10 am. |
| Mass of the Lord’s Supper 5 pm. | |
| Watching until midnight. | |
| Good Friday | Morning Prayer 10 am. |
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3 pm. |
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| Holy Saturday | Morning Prayer 10 am. |
| Evening Prayer 3.30 pm. | |
| Easter Vigil Mass 9.30 pm. | |
| Easter Sunday | Morning Prayer 7 am. |
| Mass of the Resurrection 10 am. | |
| Evening Prayer 5.30 pm. |
We will also celebrate Office of Readings for each day of the Triduum. If you are interested in joining us for this, please check the chapel during Holy Week for times, or give us a ring on 015393-32288.
We wish all our friends and benefactors a blessed Holy Week and a very happy and peaceful Eastertide.
Previous News Pages
December 2008