The Catholic Parishes of the New Forest Pastoral Area

Tel: 01590 676696   Email: lymbrock@sky.com

Our Lady of Mercy & St Joseph, Lymington with St Anne’s, Brockenhurst
132 High Street, Lymington SO41 9AQ  

 Our Lady of Lourdes, New Milton with St Francis of Assisi, Milford-on-Sea
15 Mount Avenue, New Milton BH25 6NT  

 Clergy of the Pastoral Area: Fr Danny McAvoy, Rev S Morgan (Deacon),  Rev. Michael Welch (Deacon)
School Website: www.ourladyst-joseph.hants.sch.uk/

LYMINGTON NEWSLETTER
18th/19th FEBRUARY 2012

NEWSLETTERS

Brockenhurst     Lymington     Milford     New Milton 

St Anne’s Newsletter items to peterrsimpson@freeuk.com or 01590 670354
Our Lady of Mercy’s Newsletter items to lymbrock@sky.com

7th Sunday of the Year
18th/19th February 2012

Year B - Eating with the Bridegroom

Carrying our Mats: Stories of Freedom

Most of us try to arrange our lives like flowers in a vase.  Around us, the world complies with our wishes. Suddenly the unexpected happens, the unforeseen descends, and everything begins to move in another direction.  Here is a beautiful story which holds this theme.

 

Once upon a time, a person crept into the back of the church.  Early Sunday Mass, back row, aisle seat. In and out as fast as possible.

 

This was their habit since they told themselves that they were a failure.  Wanting to go to Mass – not wanting to go – not sure what to do.  So they sneaked in and out. 

 

The other parishioners would wonder about them, and prayed for them that they would find a way through. 

 

An old priest was saying Mass.  Life had taught him to be soft-spoken and gentle.  But still he didn’t half make you think!!  He whispered that, because of Grace, anyone could rise out of their sins and brokenness.  He was sure that no Child of God was even completely stuck. 

 

At the end of the Mass, a woman soloist sang a beautiful version of ‘Amazing Grace’, which proclaimed that every wretch was saved.

 

Suddenly, the old priest was on his feet and walking with anger towards the community.

 

“I hate that song ,” he said.  "I am not a wretch.  Neither are you!!  The Gospel tells us that we are a much loved Child of God. Sometimes stuck, but always called to rise."

 

Then the old priest started moving down the aisle.  He started to point to different people and sing to them, “You are a Child of God!”

 

“O dear God,” thought the person in the back pew, who hadn’t had the sense to get out fast enough.

 

Last One. Last Row. Aisle Seat.

 

“And you are a much loved Child of God,” said the old priest in a voice now filled with quiet intuition.

 

Tears of understanding began to flow.  Everyone passing touched them gently on the shoulder.  Finally, when the church was empty they stood up and went home. At Peace.

 

Sometimes we tie knots so tightly around our failures, we can hardly breathe. We know we have to untie them but often we don’t know how.  Sometimes they can only be untied slowly, with the patience of a sailor.  At other times, it is a swift action that sets us free.  An unlikely Jesus appears out of nowhere and wields words of Freedom. And we? We take up our mats and carry ourselves back home.

 

Today’s parable might also offer a gentle critique of the Church:

Could it be that while we are all busy trying to listen to Jesus that we are blocking access to Him?

                                                Could it be that when we might be clearing a pathway for Him, we are too busy creating holy huddles
                                                and rear-ending everyone who feels on the outside?

If the broken and the paralyzed are being prevented from getting close to God
because of us, may we need to look again at what we are doing. . .

The gate of Heaven is everywhere - Thomas Merton
                                                              Photograph© Katy Passmore

CONGRATULATIONS to John and Nicky, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, who were married this weekend on Saturday.  We wish them every happiness in their future together.

ASH WEDNESDAY:  Please note the times of Masses across the Pastoral Area.  While it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, please try to mark the beginning of Lent reverently.

 

 

 

THIS LENT: The Government will match pound for pound every donation made to CAFOD.  This money will be used to provide water, sanitation and education.  It will also be used to effectively promote the rights and welfare of vulnerable women and children in developing countries.  All donations made as a result of Lenten Fundraising Activities between February and May will qualify for the match.  Please give generously.  Make sure the money is placed in the correct envelopes, and support the Thursday Lent Lunches (see below) if you can.

 

 

NAMING THE ROOMS IN THE HOSPITALITY CENTRE: Now that the Hospitality Centre is up and running, it was felt at the last PPC meeting that we should name them to save any confusion when booking.  The room with the kitchen/servery will be known as 'The Jackie Griffiths Room', and the other one will be known as 'The Paul Duffy Room'.

 

 

Our weekly PRAYER TIME Wednesday 22nd February, 10.00am in the Paul Duffy room (readings for next Sunday - First Sunday of Lent).

 

 

SLIMMING CLUB:  Our first gathering of slimmers will be on Thursday 23rd February in the Paul Duffy room at 7.30pm.  So far we have twelve people interested – if anyone else would like to join, just roll up on the night!

 

 

CRB TRAINING: The training sessions arranged for 27^th February (Child Protection) and 29th February (Vulnerable Adults) will be held in the Hospitality Centre from 7.00pm – 9.00pm.  Tea/Coffee will be available.  We need to have numbers of those attending and on which/both evenings.  Please leave your name on the clipboard list at the back of the church, or alternatively email Cathy on cathypyx@aol.com or the Parish Office on lymbrock@sky.com 

 

 

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Friday 2nd March at 2.00pm in St Thomas Church, Lymington.  Speaker: Mrs Sue Lee, a member of St Thomas Church.  Refreshments will be served after the service. 

 

 

FRIENDSHIP CLUB: To all Friendship Club members – we have organised a simple lunch of fish and chips, plus pudding at the Lymington Town Sailing Club on Tuesday 6th March at 12 noon.  If you do not like fish, please let Clare (672579) or Joan (610594) know so that something else can be arranged.  There will be no meeting on Monday 5th March.

 

 

PARISH RETREAT: To mark the beginning of the season of Lent, we have organised a beautiful retreat at the Carmelite Priory in Oxford on Thursday 8th March.  There are still some places available on the coach so please think seriously about beginning Lent in a significant way and whether you can come to share this experience with other members of our community.  Cost: £25.  If anyone has difficulty in paying, please contact Fr Danny.  For those who have booked, payment is now due and cheques should be made payable to PRCDTR Our Lady of Mercy and St. Joseph, Lymington, placed in an envelope and labelled 'Parish Retreat', and sent to the Parish Office.

 

 

MUSICIANS & SINGERS: 'All who Thirst' – Playing and singing in a parish music group / choir can be very rewarding but requires a lot of energy. All Who Thirst is a day specially designed with church musicians in mind for personal and spiritual refreshment.  Saturday 10th March, 10.00am to 3.00pm, Geo House Ashurst.  Cost £15 to include soup lunch.  Booking essential.  To book or for more information, contact Jane Willcox on 023 8034 2290 or email: jane.willcox@yahoo.co.uk

 

 

LENT LUNCHES:  We have at last sorted out the dates for the Lent Lunches: 23rd February, 1st March, 29th March.  On 8th March, most of us will be going on the Parish Retreat so we have left that date off the list for the moment.  15th and 22nd March – not decided.  Please note that the day is Thursday (not Friday).  Lunch will be served from 12 noon with a short reflection at 1.00pm.

 

 

CHURCHES TOGETHER LENT COURSE on Thursday evenings 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March at Lymington Baptist Church from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.  This will use the ecumenical York Course “Handing on the Torch – sacred words for a secular world” (£5 per copy).  Contributors include Clifford Longley, Rachel Campbell, Archbishop Sentamu and Bishop Graham Cray.  This Lenten course is instead of the house discussion groups.  Please let John Collins (679972) or Peter Bassett (672579) know as soon as possible if you would like to come.  

 

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION, 10th June (Feast of Corpus Christi): The Journey Pack for the 10 children who have already asked to begin is ready to be collected.  If there is anyone else who wants to make a start, it is not too late.  So, if you think it is time for your son or daughter to make their First Holy Communion, you should contact the Parish Office to make an appointment with Fr Danny and Cathy Pickles.  This year, we have decided to ask parents to lead their children towards this great celebration with the support of a catechist from the Parish. 

 

 

The Catholic Association PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES, which this year will be under the leadership of Bishop Declan Lang, will take place from the 24th to the 31st August.     Full details for those thinking of joining our Parish and Pastoral Area group will be released shortly.

 

 

THANK YOU to Len and Fran for building the new bookcases in the Hospitality Centre so that Frances can re-open her bookstall. 

 

 

BASICS BANK:  If you are considering giving a monetary donation to the New Forest Basics Bank, think about doing it “on line” via a Localgiving scheme!  For a limited period and only while the available funds lasts from 1st March 2012, any gift to Basics Bank will be increased £ for £ as a result of match funding at no extra cost to you, e.g. from £10 to £22.50 (£10 to £20 if you can't Gift-Aid it).  For more details please visit the New Forest Basics Bank website home page: www.basicsbank.org.uk click on "make a donation now" which will take you direct to the Basics Bank page on the verified Localgiving website.  Thank you all for your continued support!

 

 

100 CLUB:  It is now time to renew your subscription for 2012.  £15 for the year.  Deadline: Sunday 25th March.  Please fill in a form available from the back of the church. 

 

 

ST. PETER’S SCHOOL – New Headmaster:  The Governors of St. Peter’s School in Bournemouth have appointed a new Head Teacher from 1^st September next.  He is Mr. David Todd, currently Head Teacher at a Catholic Comprehensive School in West Sussex.

 

 

THE PARISH BLOG is now able to confirm that among the 500 viewers who read us each week, there was recently one from the Holy See.   However, our technology is not yet accurate enough to enable us to identify the individual concerned, so he need not fear discovery when he logs onto www.lymrcchurch.blogspot.com

Please pray for those whose anniversaries occur at this time:

19th February	Douglas Webb	20th February	Emma French	21st February	Michele Palmieri
22nd February	Yvonne Chamberlain	22nd February	Rosita Evans	23rd February	Cecil Nicholls
23rd February	William O'Regan	24th February	Joan Evans

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace and Rise in Glory.  Amen.

PLEASE PRAY ALSO for the sick and housebound of our Parish.

 

Newsletter items to lymbrock@sky.com

 

 USEFUL INFORMATION

www.catholicmarriage.org.uk
www.nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com

Parenting courses: email kbabei@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk or telephone 01329 835583

  

St Anne’s Newsletter items to peterrsimpson@freeuk.com or 01590 670354
Our Lady of Mercy’s Newsletter items to lymbrock@sky.com

Parish Support Group Contact Numbers: 
Clare Bassett 672579. Eileen Rayner 673003, Frances Walker 678525
Bookings for Parish Hall: Lindsay Farwell 682077  
School Website: www.ourladyst-joseph.hants.sch.uk/

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Archive material

AN OPEN LETTER FROM FR. DANNY

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Catholic Communities of Our Lady of Mercy & St. Joseph and St. Anne,

 

It is almost a year since I took up my appointment as your parish priest.  During this time, I have tried my best to give good leadership in this ministry.  I have also listened carefully in order to identify the strengths and fragilities in our Parish, as we seek to respond to the invitation of our Bishop to ‘GO OUT AND BEAR FRUIT’.  About this he wrote, “This single parish needs to be a Community of Communities, held together by a network of relationships, which work independently for Communion and Mission.  This means that the Parish is one pastoral unit working in harmony with a shared vision.”

To this end, after reflection and consultation at every level, I have made the following decisions which, I believe, will best support us in both the short and long term:

1.     To ask Bishop Crispian to formally unite the communities of Brockenhurst and Lymington into one single Parish under the patronage of Our Lady of Mercy, St Joseph and St Anne.   The dedications of the churches will remain the same.

     And then to have

 

2.     One Parish Pastoral Council

3.     One Parish Finance Committee, including one bank account

4.     One Parish Liturgy Commission

5.     One Parish Care and Social Commission

6.     One Parish Team responsible for Catechesis and Adult Formation

7.     One Parish Newsletter

8.     One Centre for Administration

9.     To change the time of the main Sunday Mass at St. Anne’s to 9.00 a.m. and to have a Sunday evening Mass in Our Lady & St. Joseph’s for our young people.

And finally,

 

10.  I have decided to have a day off, so there will be no Mass on Monday.

Obviously, there will be a prayerful process of integration of all these decisions which will take place over the next few months.  However, it is my hope that these developments will be completed by the autumn.

 

                                                                                         As ever, Fr. Dan

                                                             Photograph © Caroline Puttick