Let us pray, then, my beloved people, that my episcopate might be of equal benefit to me and to you. If I pray for you and you for me, continually and with perfect love and charity, then, with the help of God, we will come happily to eternal blessedness (St Augustine, Sermon 340, on the anniversary of his ordination).
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May '09 News
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Easter was celebrated with the usual festivities, with Fr Dixie presiding at the liturgies (follow this link for his homilies) and with a Guest House full of friends old and new. We were very happy to welcome back Dina Cores, who came for a working holiday. She certainly worked - we hope she also had some holiday! It was lovely to see her again, and we are very pleased that she will be posted to England for a while, so we may well see her again soon. Other recent guests have included Sr Geneviève’s family from France, Sr Mary Benedict’s family from Ireland, and friends of Sr Anne from Malaysia.
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Visitors from France |
Visitors from France |
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The Bermingham family and friends |
Sr Anne with Gertrude, Lily and Helen |
A bitter-sweet visit was that by Fr Hugh’s family, Dom, Margaret and Michael, with Fr Ian Patterson, as they continue to deal with various matters. We are always pleased to welcome them and share their warm and humorous company.
Sr Rita of Park House stayed on after the community retreat to be with us over Easter. Sr Mary came to collect her, and brought with her for the day two of our Nigerian Sisters, Sr Francisca, and Sr Justina, who is currently studying in Cambridge.
The weather has been beautiful for much of the last few weeks, and the garden looking as stunning as ever, as the trees took it in turns to blossom. Thanks to Dina for the picture below.
Sr Anne travelled to London to attend the wedding of her former students Elizabeth Staunton and Michael Acheson, both known to the community. We wish them congratulations and every happiness in their future life together.
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Sr Anne at the wedding with Vicki Hemming, another former student and friend of Boarbank |
On 19th April Sr Eileen and Sr Michael attended a tea and prayer service of thanksgiving and farewell for Revd Ian Coomber, who has retired from the Cartmel Peninsular Team. It was a joyous and moving celebration. We wish him and his wife, Jill, every blessing in the years ahead and express our thanks to him for his concern, help and support over the years.
On 22nd April Sr Anne and Sr Eileen were invited to a day of the Chapter of the Augustinian Friars at Hinsley Hall, and they are most grateful for the friendship and hospitality they enjoyed. Sr Anne gave a reflection at the Mass on the theme of love and faith, taking as her text, ‘God so loved the world’ (John 3.16). Fr David Middleton was re-elected Provincial at the Chapter; our congratulations and prayers go to him.
The Lakeland Historic Car Club kindly donated £50 to Boarbank, raised through an autojumble held by the club at the Preston Patrick memorial Hall in February. The photo shows the club treasurer, Nancy Milligan, presenting a cheque to Sister Eileen, with club members Pat Ainsworth, one of our staff, and her husband, Bill, looking on. The photograph was taken by Ken Milligan. We are very grateful for their generosity.
Sr Margaret attended an excellent evening on the ethics of embryo research, organised by the Social Responsibility Forum of Churches Together in Cumbria. This explored the science underlying this question, and the ethical arguments for and against. The case for the full legal protection of the embryo from conception was very ably presented by Mr Stephen Barrie, the Education Officer of the Linacre Centre. Although there was inevitably some difference of opinion within the room, there was substantial agreement on practical questions. The extent to which a vision of reverence for human life seemed shared across the Christian churches was very heartening.
We were delighted to welcome back Claire Ainsworth and Sarah, who are volunteers with the Salesian Sisters at Brettargh Holt, involved there in youth work. They keep busy and very happy. Long may their apostolate continue.
Christine Shovelton, who has been resident in Marymount in recent months, celebrated her 50th birthday on Wednesday 29th April, with a tea party, and then with a Mass and buffet lunch on Sunday 3rd May attended by her family, by members of the extended Boarbank community, and by other friends. Her brother Joseph, a professional singer, led the music most movingly. In the afternoon of the Sunday, Joseph also delighted the community and patients with a varied and lively concert, ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan to Panis Angelicus. Sue Harrison, who shares a birthday with Christine, joined Joseph for a duet from Pirates of Penzance. It was marvellous to see the enthusiasm with which even the non-English members of the community joined in ‘Land of Hope and Glory’! We are very grateful to Christine and her family for sharing this very happy occasion with us all.
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3rd May was also Good Shepherd Sunday, designated as a special day of prayer for vocations. The community marked this with a small display, which made use of Caravaggio’s picture, The Calling of St Matthew, and Cardinal Newman’s well-known prayer, reprinted here.
God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission -- I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good, I shall do His work; I shall be a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.
Therefore, my God, I will put myself without reserve into Thy hands. What have I in heaven, and apart from Thee what do I want upon earth? My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the God of my heart, and my portion for ever.
We have been very busy saying goodbye to Bishop Patrick, and welcoming Bishop Michael to his new role as Bishop of the Diocese. Two Sisters attended a farewell Mass and lunch for Bishop Patrick organised by the Women Together in the Lancaster Diocese, on Saturday 25th April, and two more a farewell dinner on Thursday 30th April. On 1st May, Bishop Michael was installed in Lancaster Cathedral, and again the community was well represented. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking Bishop Patrick profoundly for everything that he has done for the Diocese over the past years - for his vision and energy, for his attention and interest, and for his great commitment. We wish him every blessing for a thoroughly well deserved retirement at home in Ireland. Meanwhile, we continue to pray for Bishop Michael, as an old friend, a fellow-Augustinian, and now our Diocesan Bishop, as he in turn shoulders this heavy burden. St Augustine will provide him with an inspiring role model!
Future Events
THE ANNUAL COFFEE MORNING WILL BE HELD AS USUAL ON THE SECOND BANK HOLIDAY IN MAY. DO NOT MISS THE SOCIAL EVENT OF THE YEAR! DOORS OPEN AT 9.30 A.M. ON MONDAY 25TH MAY.
The new version of the guide to Boarbank is now at the printers and should be on sale for the Coffee Morning. Price £3.
Previous News Pages
December 2008