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.’

SVP FOODBANK COLLECTIONS FOR SOUTH LIVERPOOL.

We have seen a decline in donations recently, if you can help please drop non-perishable food donations to the Monastery, weekdays 9.00am-4.00pm. Thank you.

#Liverpool4Ukraine 

After leaving the archdiocese in the early hours of Saturday morning, our volunteer drivers handed over the essential aid to Ukraine yesterday.

The three vans were carrying aid such as dried food, building supplies and sleeping bags.

Read more: Liverpool4Ukraine trip 5 - updated 25.5.2023

#Liverpool4Ukraine

Six volunteer drivers in 3 vans will leave on Saturday 6 May for the 6 day journey. The dates were carefully selected to tie in with Eurovision to further strengthen the links between the city and Ukraine as the reason it is being held in Liverpool is because of the war in Ukraine.

On Friday 5 May at 3pm, Fr Taras Khomych and Fr Aidan Prescott will bless the vans and drivers at the St Margaret Clitherow Centre. All are welcome to come to this. More details about the appeal can be found here: https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/archdiocese-of-liverpool-embarks-on-fifth-ukrainian-trip-during-the-week-of-eurovision

Donations to #Liverpool4Ukraine can still be made details below

Online:

https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/donate

Bank transfer:

Account name: Archdiocese of Liverpool
Sort code: 40-29-12
Account: 01551493
Reference: Help Ukraine

Cheque:

Made payable to “Archdiocese of Liverpool” and with “Help Ukraine” written on the reverse, these can be sent to

Finance Department
St Margaret Clitherow Centre
Liverpool Archdiocesan Office
Croxteth Drive
Liverpool
L17 1AA

Please keep our drivers, Bishop Gregory and the people of Ukraine in your prayers.

A prayer devised for Eurovision week can be accessed by clicking here.

#Liverpool4Ukraine

DESTINY -  A POEM MARKING THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

In Life, there are those rare moments

When one suddenly becomes aware

That we are an integral part

In the tapestry of History.

As the days speed on to the Coronation of King Charles lll,

I shall recall, with affectionate nostalgia,

A world which has irrevocably changed.

Bottle-green clad, lisle-stockings adorned,

Disparate in age, size and background,

We gathered in gym-cum-assembly hall

Waiting to hear the previous day's recording

Of world-breaking news.

"H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth has been safely delivered

Of a Prince."

Over 400 schoolgirls, shepherded by

Beaming nuns and lay staff,

Smiled and twittered happily.

A telegram to be sent, in our names.

Another significant date to be stored away

For future History exams!

And so, the intervening years have passed

Amidst times of sorrow and joy,

But always with thoughts of the unknown future.

On May 6th, you will tread in footprints

Marked by your forebears.

Traditional rites and ceremonies will bring to mind

Fleeting memories, particularly of loved ones

Who have trod this path since you were born.

As you, with sacred oil are anointed,

Prayers and acclamations

Will signify the fulfilment of your destiny.

May you, and all that you hold dear,

Be blessed by a future

Gilded with Promise, Peace and Love.

Eileen Murray © May 2023