Then, whoever received the Holy Spirit, even as an individual person, started speaking every language; similarly, now, the Church herself in her unity through all the nations speaks every language. It is by being part of this unity that you have the Holy Spirit (St Augustine, Sermon 271, on Pentecost).
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June '09 News
The Coffee Morning was, once again, a great success, with wonderful weather to help us. Despite the economic climate, our visitors and friends were as generous as ever, and we made a total of £12,000, which will be used towards a water storage system in Marymount and repairs to the roofs of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and sacristy. The day was also an opportunity to see many old friends. Sr Eileen and the community are, as always, very grateful to all our helpers, donors and visitors for all that they have contributed.
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The Coffee Morning saw the launch of the new Boarbank booklet, which is now on sale for £3. An ideal present for anyone who knows, or would like to know, Boarbank!
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Detail from the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, from the new booklet |
Members of the community have enjoyed various celebrations and social events. Several Sisters attended the Golden Jubilee of Sr Colette of Park House, on May 13th. Fr Brian Murphy presided and preached. Sr Anne went to Same Yet near Prestwich for a meal to celebrate her cousin’s eightieth birthday, Sr Imelda and Fr Dixie attended the Silver Wedding Anniversary celebrations of very old friends and Sr Annette helped St Bede’s Parish in Carlisle mark their Golden Jubilee, which gave the opportunity for meeting friends she had not seen for many years, including the former parish priests. We also offer congratulations to Fr Parker on the 45th anniversary of his priestly ordination, on 24th May.
Some of the Sisters enjoyed two concerts presented by the Grange-over-Sands and District Concert Club: a piano recital in May by Margaret Fingerhut, with the theme, ‘From my homeland', and a Viennese Gala Evening in June given by the Promenade Orchestra, conducted by Howard Rogerson.
Sr Margaret spent two weeks staying with the Augustinian Friars at Santa Monica, across the road from the Vatican, where she worked in their library on a project about St Augustine. She has also taught a short course on ethics for the Catholic Certificate for Religious Studies, in Carlisle, spoken to the Lancaster Cathedral Youth Group about Religious Life and the Daily Office, and preached at a Parish Renewal Week in Eccleston.
Fr Dixie preached in the open air, with the assistance of the Salvation Army Band, at a Churches Together in Barrow service on Pentecost Sunday. His sermon at Boarbank for Pentecost Sunday is available here. He is currently in France, combining a little holiday with teaching a course on St John in Lourdes. We are very grateful to Fr Severs for acting as chaplain in his absence, and also to Fr Gooden, who is helping us with Masses at the present.
Music Nights have begun again in Marymount, led by Sr Anne and Sr Margaret. The first one, on May 6th, offered a varied programme of music chosen by Fr Hugh himself, just before he died. This included ‘Danny Boy’, which was very moving indeed in the circumstances, and a lot of dance music - a sad and happy occasion.
As usual, we are very pleased to welcome overseas helpers in the summer. Claire has come from France, for all-too-short a visit. She has helped us tremendously in the Guest House, and we very much hope that she will come back another year. We are very glad that Erika, from Hungary, will be with us for longer. She teaches catechetics and scripture to children in the south of Hungary.
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Claire and Erika with Sr Ildikó |
We say goodbye this month to Jack and Chloe, who have been working with us in the Guest House and who are now moving on to other things. We thank them for their time with us and wish them all the very best in the future. We also say a big ‘Thank You’ and ‘Good Luck’ to Helena Allingham, who is leaving Marymount after several years with us. She will be greatly missed and we wish her well in her new role as Manager of Day Care Services for the Alzheimer’s Society in Kendal.
Future Events
This year’s Thinking Faith week for Catholics students and young professionals will take place from 18th to 24th July. There are still one or two places available.
There is now a waiting list for Thinking Scripture on St Paul in September (12th-19th), but we are holding a few places for the younger age group (30s and below), so do get in touch if you are in that category and interested!
Due to the success of our Health and Salvation retreat for Healthcare Workers, we will be running a second week this November (16th-21st) on the theme of care for those at the end of life. For more information, see our Events page.
Previous News Pages
December 2008