‘He introduced himself to believers as God and Man: the God by whom we were made and the man by whom we were made anew’ (St Augustine Commentary on the Psalms, 109, 2)
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November '09 News
Several people have kindly been in touch to ask if we were affected by the floods in Cumbria. We were very fortunate: the sacristy roof, which had been leaking badly, had been completely mended just in time. Meanwhile, the engineering works to stop flooding in Grange must have been very effective, as the road remained clear. However, we are very aware of the great hardship still facing many people in other towns in Cumbria, and we offer them our sympathy and prayers.
On 25th November, Sr Eileen and Sr Imelda attended the profession in Lancaster of Marie Rodden as a member of the Company of St Angela Merici, under the direction of the Ursuline Sisters. She and her companion, also Marie, are the first in Britain and the celebration was attended by a Companion from Slovakia, the nearest English-speaking representative. We wish her congratulations and every blessing in her new life.
Jane Howe has completed all her course-work for her NVQ4 Registered Manager Award. Congratulations and well done! We await her award.
On 4th November several of the Sisters attended the funeral of Mr John ‘Busty’ Kevill at Claughton-on-Brock. Mr Kevill had been a regular visitor to Marymount for many years and resident there for nearly a year. Our sympathy goes to all his family. We also offer our deep sympathy to Mr Geoff Guy, who is currently staying in Marymount, on the death of his wife, Pat. We remember also Mrs Betty Lord, who was a devoted coffee lady for many years, and Renee Ayres, a well known local lady, and offer sympathy to their families.
Fr Dixie has been to speak to the hospital chaplains of the Salford Diocese on ‘Jesus the Healer’ and to a conference of Catholic school deputy heads in Manchester on ‘Christian leadership’. He is has just returned from giving a week’s retreat to the Carmelite Sisters in Birkenhead on the Gospel of John.
The Meditation Group came to the Guest House for their annual weekend retreat at the beginning of November. From 16th-21st November, we hosted our third Health and Salvation retreat on the theme of ‘A Good Ending’. We welcomed one or two old friends and many new ones. One of the highlights was the visit of the internationally famous clown, Arthur Pedlar (alias Vercoe) and his pianist Alan Whiteley. Arthur spoke about the use of clowning in hospitals, among other fascinating topics, and the two hilariously entertained our guests and the community. Our guest speakers for the retreat were Professor Malcolm McIlmurray and Fr Adrian Towers. (For a full report see our Health and Salvation page.)
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Sue Harrison and her mum, Sylvia, provided a very enjoyable afternoon for Sisters, staff and patients, which included piano pieces, sung solos and duets, and monologues. Afterwards, several of the patients spoke of the many happy memories the items evoked. A music night also took place in early December on the theme ‘Music for the Season’.
On the first Sunday in Advent we hosted the regular Advent Carol Service for Churches Together in Grange and District. The choir, conducted by Adrian Self, led us in a beautiful service of readings and choir and congregational carols. We were delighted to welcome so many friends both from St Charles parish and from the other churches in the area. A collection for the flood victims raised over £300.
On 4th December the children from the local Montessori nursery presented their nativity play, ‘The Sleepy Shepherd’ to patients, guests, staff and members of the Community. We congratulate the children, along with Melanie Knight and her colleagues, and wish them all a very happy Christmas when the time comes.
The Sisters enjoyed their annual three-day retreat, led this year by Fr Michael Cunningham SDB, a very welcome return visitor. We were well blessed to have Fr Michael, who is an internationally known retreat giver and writer, to guide us.
On 8th December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we shared the joy of our Sisters in the Community of Malestroit as Sr Roxanne made her first profession.
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Finally - a very unusual visitor was spotted on the roof of Boarbank during the bad weather - a prize for the first reader who can identify her! (Thanks to Google Images for the picture.)
Future Events
There are still places for the Health and Salvation retreat for healthcare workers in January on the theme ‘Health and Community’. We are also taking bookings for Thinking Scripture on St John in February 2010, and for Time to Reflect (for teachers in Higher Education) in March 2010. For more, see the Events page.
Christmas Service Times
Christmas Eve
Vespers 3.30 pm
Office of Readings 5.30 pm
Mass 10 pm
Christmas Day
Morning Prayer 7 am
Mass 10 am
Vespers 6 pm
Sunday 27th December
Short Carol Service 5 pm before Vespers at 5.30 pm
THE SISTERS WISH ALL OUR FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS
A BLESSED AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Previous News Pages
December 2008