LETTER FROM BISHOP ETON SVP

Attached to this weeks paper bulletin there is a letter from the parish SVP.  It contains details of how you can donate to help their work, and an invitation to contact them if you know of someone who would benefit from a visit (please check with the person concerned first).  To read a copy of the letter click here.

A POEM FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

NEVER FORGET

In times like these,

How easy it is to forget

Events which have stirred us

To the very heart of our beings.

For centuries, tradition has been

The cornerstone of our existence.

Memories, whether spoken or written,

 Passed down from generation to generation,

Have kept the flame of those,

Whose devotion to duty and often valour,

Burning brightly through hard times.

In Liverpool this year,

Remembrance Sunday will once again

Be fittingly marked by rite and ceremonies -

In different venue.

Yet, the roads will still be lined

By those who never forget

The sacrifices of all

Who fought for the right

To live and die in a free world.

Not even the torment and suffering

Our world has endured recently

Can compare with what went before.

We must never forget

For our tomorrow, no matter how terrible,

They gave their today.

Eileen Murray © November 2021

An Oscar Beyond Price

Sometimes on Life's mysterious journey

You have an amazing, serendipitous encounter,

If you are fortunate!

So it was.

Could you ever have believed

That one small, brown, furry bundle

Would bring such joy!

Maybe, on reflection, there were trying occasions,

But then, in the eyes of the besotted,

These swiftly fade into the past.

What times you all shared.

How many dogs were so well travelled?

But it was a reciprocal relationship;

Happiness, trust, devotion

Flowed freely between the trinity.

But when premature separation happens,

The solace of grief, fortunately, lies

In the plethora of events stored,

Not only in the physical trove of images,

But also, deep within in the indelible psyche.

As Time inevitably slips by,

Hold dear the memories of the happy hours

Spent with your unique, gilded award -

Oscar!

MEET THE AUTHOR

Redemptorist Publications have published this short biography on Fr Tim

Kris's Head Shave in pictures

Kris' hair is tied up in preparation for it be be cut.

Read more: Kris's Head Shave in pictures

A MESSAGE FROM DEACON GREG, ELISABETH AND JOHANNA:

We would like to thank you all for your cards, messages, gifts, prayers, wishes and so much generous help. We are grateful to each one of you. And although it hasn't been possible to arrange to meet everyone in person to say goodbye and thank you in person, you are in our hearts and there we are united with you all in the love of God.

We have had the privilege to meet so many people building up a wonderful parish community with love, dedication, mutual encouragement, and respect. Thank you that we could be part of this for nine years.

We will certainly come back to visit Liverpool and we'll meet again.

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI:

The Season of Creation culminates in the feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. St Francis is the patron of all God’s creatures and the environment. One of the issues that demands our urgent attention is how we treat animals. The current pandemic is a wake-up call. God did not give us animals to do with as we like. He entrusted them to us – we are their custodians. Many animals suffer appalling cruelty because of our demand for food and sport. Christians have a duty of care to God’s creatures.

We can’t keep turning a blind eye!

A PRAYER FOR ANIMALS:

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

STATEMENT FROM THE REDEMPTORIST PROVINCIAL COUNCIL:

“Many of you will be aware of the distressing court case in Liverpool involving one of our priests who was a member of the Bishop Eton Community during the late 1980s and early 1990s.The Redemptorists have learned that, after careful consideration, the jury have found him guilty on three of the five charges. We deeply appreciate how emotional this must be for everyone involved.

As a Congregation, we will continue to co-operate with the process and comply with our safeguarding responsibilities, as we reflect on the findings of the court and the impact on all those involved.

It is not appropriate for us to comment further while the sentence of the court is awaited.”

DOING THE CONTINENTAL

The surprisingly hot, September, afternoon sunshine

Glinted on the sunglasses

Of a man reflectively gazing

At his diminishing glass of lager

As a shaft of sunlight penetrated the amber depths.

Time to call it a day or –

A refill to celebrate – whatever?

Not all of the tables were occupied,

But those that were

Reflected the mood of the patrons.

The exotic, pink cocktail-filled glass

Stood beside the macho pint of draught lager,

Each pleasurably enjoyed

By the owners of the delightful, fluffy, dark brown dog

Who also was catered for

By the strategically placed dish of water!

At a rear table, two teenagers smile

As one produces his age verification card,

At the request of the waiter.

Minutes later, the half-pint of beer is lifted –

A toast for his first officially legal drink,

As he crosses into his new world!

We, abstemiously enjoying very hot, white, flat coffee

(Leopards don’t change their spots –

And sundown still to come)

Recall those far-off days of carefree entry

Into the unknown promises of adulthood.

As if in warning of Life’s transience,

A chilly wind sweeps up from the distant mighty river,

Reminding us of Summer’s demise

And the imminent passing

Of the delightful, continental, café culture.

An empty bus disappears up the tree-lined avenue.

No! Not Madrid, nor Paris, not even Rome.

Just a special café in this leafy suburb,

Our cherished home for nearly sixty years.

Eileen Murray © September 2021

PRESENTATION TO GREG AND ELISABETH

It is with sadness that we say farewell to our deacon Greg and his family. At the noon Mass on 20th August they were presented with a small gift from the parish

Fr Andrew thanks Greg and Elisabeth for all they have done in the Parish they will be missed.

Read more: Presentation to Greg and Elizabeth