IN THE BEGINNING FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

In the Beginning

Once upon a Time,

When the world was –

Not young, but younger –

Simpler, friendlier, not technocratic,

There was a quiet, suburban road

Bordered by neatly tended, gated gardens.

Few cars graced the driveways,

People communicated politely,

Walked, smiled often

And, generally, kept themselves to themselves.

Just over halfway down the road,

In a neighbouring garden,

A young couple planted a Weeping Willow.

In the middle of their burgeoning back garden.

It kindled their dreams

Of future generations of unimaginable wild life

Nurtured amongst the feathery foliage

Of its incipient beauty.

Ah! Sweet dreams.

Today, a Colossus bestrides the gardens,

Its impact only diminished by someone

(Incomparable in stature)

Who has lived quietly and contentedly

In her world of unchanging mores.

Happy Birthday, Maureen.

Ad multos annos!

Eileen Murray © 3 August 2023

GLORIA - FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

Gloria

As years pass by,

On Special Birthdays we recall

Those times when Life

Brought excitement, joy,

 Enlightenment, love and change

Into our evolving world.

Now, you have time

To reflect on the kaleidoscope,

Which has made you,

Among countless Beings,

Loving, loved and – Unique!

Eileen Murray © 30 July 2023

THE BEAR WITH A SORE THROAT

Keith Ballard, a former headteacher and deacon of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, has recently ventured into the world of children’s literature with his first book, The Bear With A Sore Throat.  The book isaimed at children aged 3-6. To find out more about the book click here

VISIT OF UKRAINE'S BISHOP GREGORY

Bishop Hryhoriy (Gregory) Komar, the auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (diocese) of Sambir-Drohobych, Ukraine, visited the  St Margaret Clitherow Centre recently to express his heartfelt gratitude to all those who participated in the #Liverpool4Ukraine appeal.

The occasion was marked by a short liturgy led by Canon Aidan Prescott, Vicar General, where prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine.

Click here to read more about the visit and the appeal

MPACT - MOVING PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER

M-PACT is a programme that helps parents and children, aged 8-17, talk more openly and safely about the effects of gambling-related harms on the whole family and gives them new tools to move forward positively.   To lean more please click here for a leaflet that may help those families affected by gambling.

REDEMPTORIST COMMUNITIES IN UKRAINE

The Redemptorist communities in Ukraine are giving shelter, food and help to the people who are fleeing from the Russian war. If you'd like to donate to help, please visit https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/ukraine-appeal-

BISHOP GREGORY

On 31st July the St Margaret Clitherow Centre were delighted to welcome  Bishop Gregory Komar to the St Margaret Clitherow Centre.

As part of the #Liverpool4Ukraine appeal, the Archiocese has been delivering essential aid to Bishop Gregory for distribution in his diocese. Bishop Gregory wanted to personally thank those who have supported the appeal. During his visit, prayers  for peace in Ukraine were offered.

Read more: Bishop Gregory

LOURDES 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

The Archdiocese has put together a short slideshow of memories from this years pilgrimage.

ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

Perhaps, you too will relive

The magic of long-forgotten memories -

If your curiosity impels you to read on!

There are certain chores in life

Which are assigned to "The Tomorrow Catalogue."

Tomorrow came, unexpectedly, last week.

Moving, discarding, vacuuming, dusting, all complete,

Just the final bag to be checked.

A sneak preview revealed another container

Packed with cards, photos, letters

And even a couple of small, tissue-wrapped packages.

It is never in my remit to resist further investigation!

For the next three hours, I was transported.

Neither my sister, my brother nor I existed,

Just a folded, faded Irish Marriage Certificate.

My heart swelled with pride and love;

 I smiled, laughed and cried

As I explored the trove of cherished memorabilia -

Too many to be listed here,

But some irresistibly movingly relevant.

A tattered Primary School Report

Which my lovely brother had amended,

By adding an obviously childlike "V"

In front of all the "Satisfactory" comments.

Touching messages of sympathy on the death

Of my beautiful, fifteen year old sister

Who had just started work in the millinery department

Of the prestigious Bon Marche.

Well over one hundred postcards to my parents

Recording the delight of holidays across a Europe

Which has changed, in many cases, so unbelievably.

No Mothers' Day cards then,

Just an immaculately written letter,

When I, as a ten year old,

Promised to offer “To My Dear Mother,

My Sunday Mass and Holy Communion.”

So much to be recorded in this poem,

But Time and space do matter.

And, after all, small, curious packages

And collections of mysterious photos and letters

May well become a source of future verse!

Just a fleeting thought.

You might regard housework as a chore -

But, surprisingly, it can be pleasantly inspirational!

Eileen Murray © July 2023

FEAST OF MOST HOLY REDEEMER:

Sunday 16 July. A retiring collection will be held following each Mass next Sunday in aid of Redemptorist Students. Thank you for your generosity.