THE ARCHDIOCESE AND LOURDES LOOKING BACK

LOURDES 1920s

Read more: The Archdiocese and Lourdes looking back

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.

FROM SOUTH LIVERPOOL CATENIANS.

Thanks to everyone who attended our Social Evening at East Wavertree Lawn Tennis Club, last Saturday.

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP UNRAVELLING?

Talking to a Marriage Care counsellor might help. Please find leaflets in the porch with more information; alternatively you can call 0800 389 3801 or visit www.marriagecare.org.uk.

ON WINGS OF SONG

A fluttering of heavy eyelids,  

As early ping of WhatsApp 

Presaged a day of unexpected joy. 

"Having drinks for my birthday. 

Any time from 4pm onwards. 

Would you like to come?" 

A speedy affirmative reply 

Set the routine for the day. 

No hazardous, time-consuming journey involved - 

Just next-door-but-one.  

A ring on the bell announced my arrival.  

The sunny, bedecked garden -  

Already the happy venue for earlier arrivals - 

Warmly enclosed the Chosen 

Who had come to yet another celebration 

Of a very propitious occasion! 

There is nothing like a large, cold glass 

Generously filled with clinking ice cubes, 

Chilled tonic, lemon or lime wedges 

And of course, a generous measure of gin  

(Unless you are a beer or prosecco aficionado) 

To float you away from Life's realities.  

For the next X hours,  

We drank, ate delicious, summer food, 

Talked of this and that and even reminisced. 

Smiles transfixed faces, 

Laughter chortled from lubricated lips. 

The sun shone in glory until,  

Lest we became too indolent, 

Nature reminded us that twilight was afoot.  

Blankets, wraps, jumpers, jackets, 

Almost magically materialised, as dusk gently fell. 

Merriment, even laissez-faire, 

Spread a mantle over even the most retiring. 

Strains and sounds of popular vocals 

Filled the suburban surroundings.  

Celebrities were simulated in voice and action. 

Applause and laughter rewarded the brave.  

A glance at watch belied the time. 

My heart sang - even if really my voice didn't!  

Lights swayed gently; the garden twittered 

As happy relatives and friends celebrated the joyous occasion. 

How touching it was to realise 

That just for fleeting hours, 

You have been invited, unequivocally, into a private world 

Not long ravaged by torment of the unknown, 

Fear, pain, and relentless waiting.  

No element of surprise: 

This stalwart family has emerged even more united, 

Loving, generous and ready to share Life's simple pleasures 

Which will light the path ahead. 

Now, all that awaits is the delight 

Of living again, the memories of a perfect day, 

Wrapped in the enfolding arms of Slumber. 

Eileen Murray © 5 June 2023 

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

For this year's World Environment Day, we are asked to beat plastic pollution.

HELP NEEDED: LAY FUNERAL MINISTRY

* Do you have sympathy for those in distress?
* Would you like to help bereaved families to arrange the  funeral for their loved ones?
* Have you considered becoming a Lay Funeral Minister?

This ministry is wide ranging with an opportunity to lead funeral services when there is no priest available to do so and/or help to prepare families to choose readings, hymns and prayers.

If you are interested or would like to discuss this role in more detail please contact the parish office.

* Full training given and the role is subject to a DBS check.

PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION WITH THE REDEMPTORISTS:

Redemptorist Lay Associates (RLAs): Congratulations to the RLAs of Bishop Eton and St Mary's who will renew their annual Act of Commitment during the 11.00am Mass at St Mary's, and the 6.00pm at Bishop Eton. Also, to those who will make the Act of Commitment for the first time.

If you would like to know more about the RLA, please pick up a leaflet or, contact
Fr Maurice CSsR at Bishop Eton.

 THANK YOU BISHOP TOM

On Wednesday 17 May, hundreds of people from around the Archdiocese and beyond  attended the Metropolitan Cathedral for a Mass of Thanksgiving for Bishop Tom Williams. 

The Mass was followed by a gathering in the Cathedral crypt at which Archbishop Malcolm presented him with gifts.

Speaking the day afterwards, Bishop Tom had a message of gratitude to all who had contributed to a memorable evening: ‘All I want to say is thank you – thank you to the Archbishop and thank you to those who came and those who sent messages who couldn’t come.

‘I was overwhelmed and would like to thank people sincerely for being there. It came together very well –  people came smiling along and they walked away smiling.’