Welcome to Boarbank Hall

‘Before all else, live together in harmony, being of one mind and one heart on the way to God. For is it not precisely for this reason that you have come to live together?’ (Rule of St Augustine, 1.2)

November-December 2010 News

The very important news for us this month was the Perpetual Profession of Sr Ildikó on All Saints Day, 31st October. Bishop Michael was the chief celebrant in a chapel full of friends and family - we were delighted that Sr Ildikó’s father, sister Andrea and little niece Lili were able to join us from Hungary. Celebrations continued appropriately after, with drinks and a meal. We wish Sr Ildikó very many congratulations and assure her of our prayers and support for the future. We are very grateful to all who helped in any way to make this a very memorable occasion -not least Bishop Michael, clergy, religious, parishioners, family, friends and staff and of course Sr Ildikó for accepting the Lord’s invitation to follow Him ever more closely in her life. [Bishop Michael’s sermon can be read here]

In early November Sr Ildikó enjoyed a visit by her sister Nori who was unable to attend her profession.

Sr Yvonne unfortunately fell and broke her femur, which resulted in two weeks in Barrow Hospital. We are delighted to have her back with us in Marymount, and making a gentle recovery.

Several of the Sisters have been enjoying the opportunity of a week’s break in our holiday house in Ambleside.

Sr Eileen attended a Meeting of the General Council on 3rd-4th November at Malestroit. She was delighted to return after more than 20 years having spent six weeks there during her Formation. Many people and places were familiar and there were also many excellent developments to see especially with the Clinic and Education Centre. On 19th November she attended a Study Day on Safeguarding prepared by the North West Regional Commission which focused on child protection, risk assessment and the future of Safeguarding Commissions- a very worthwhile day.

Our annual Day of Prayer for our Deceased Sisters took place on 24th-25th November.

We are very happy to welcome back Zita from Hungary, who is living with us and working in Marymount. Zita had worked in the Guest House about eight years ago and has since trained as a nurse in Hungary.

A group of pupils from Eaglesfield Paddle School came to visit us on 12th October, brought by Mrs Claire Langstaff, who had visited us also with her previous school. Two of the Sisters were then able to return the visit on 16th November and see Claire in her new surroundings, visit younger classes and enjoy an afternoon programme of “We’ll Meet Again” performed by Year 5 and 6 pupils which was excellent. It is lovely to have another link with a Cumbrian school, and an ecumenical one in this case as Eaglesfield Paddle is a Church of England School. We look forward to future visits.

Sr Ildikó represented the Community at the CAFOD Coffee Morning at St Charles on 12th November.

Our Marymount Music Night on 27th October was on the theme of Youth and Childhood, and we decided also to open it to guests in the Guest House. There was a record attendance from Marymount patients alone, and this combined with the guests to fill the room to bursting point. It was a particular pleasure to welcome Alice and Joanne, the youngest ever attendants at a music evening by about 60 years, as well as Zita’s parents from Hungary. The programme ranged from Mozart to Stanley Holloway to Gershwin, and was much enjoyed by all.

Musical evening

On 14th October Sr Margaret gave a talk in Chester to the Conference of Diocesan Education Commissioners on the theme ‘A Catholic Vision of Education’. On 10th November Fr Dixie went to Ushaw College to give a day on Newman, entitled ‘Affectionately Yours’, to priests and parishioners of the diocese.

The Cumbria Meditation Group came for its annual weekend on 5th-7th November. It was good to welcome them back.

The Health and Salvation retreat from 15th-20th November was on the theme ‘Health and Community’. This included talks and shared prayer as usual, but also a visit to the Cenacolo Community, where we had Mass and were given lunch, and a very lively musical evening, which revealed unexpected talents among our visitors! For a full report, see the Health and Salvation page.


Out and about (2010)	'Visiting Cenacolo' (Phil (actually Peter!) and Fred)

The Churches Together in Grange and District Advent Carol Service took place in the Chapel at Sunday 28th November, the First Sunday in Advent. Owing to the snow, the congregation was very much reduced, but we are very grateful to all those who did come along, especially to the choir, readers and organisers, for still making it possible.

We were very sad to hear of the death of Fr Jim Donnelly of Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, a good friend to the Community and a very dedicated priest who never spared himself in the service of others. His funeral was on 18th November and is interred in St Mary’s, Blackhill.

We are sad to announce the death on 18th November of Mrs Mary Hullah, who had lived with us in Marymount for just over a year after many years of friendship and visits. Mrs Hullah’s funeral took place at Cartmel Priory on Friday 26th November. We offer our sympathy to her son, Peter, and his family.

We also remember Mrs Lilian Morris who died on 14th November having spent her last days with us after been a regular visitor to Marymount. Her funeral was at St Paul’s, Grange on Monday 22nd November and she is greatly missed by her many friends.

May they all rest in peace.

The programme of alterations and refurbishments in Bethany is moving ahead and we are aiming to have everything completed in time for the Christmas visitors. We are very grateful indeed to our team of craftsmen and builders, and also to those who have generously given donations to help pay for this work. The total cost will be about £50,000, so we very much appreciate any contributions to our appeal for this purpose.

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 26th December Short Carol Service 5 pm before Vespers at 5.30 pm

Other Future Events

We are now taking bookings for the following in 2011:

Thinking Scripture on the Psalms on 19th-26th February . (This week will be repeated on 10th-27th September )

Time to Reflect, a weekend for lecturers in higher education, on the theme ‘Speaking the Truth in Love’, 18th-20th March

Thinking Faith, for Catholic students and young professionals, 23rd-29th July.

Our January Health and Salvation week on ‘Health and Community’ is already fully booked, but we will be repeating it 9th-14th November.

A new venture, Freedom and Hope, a holiday and retreat week for all those who work with and for prisoners, will take place from 6th-11th June (see leaflet here). We may also be running a few days’ for schoolteachers on the theme Vision in Education from 31st April to 4th May. This will depend on demand, so if you are interested, please contact Sr Margaret@Boarbank before 1st January.