News Items
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.
CATHOLIC BIBLICAL FEDERATION:
FIRST COMMUNIONS 2021
A few photos from this week's First Holy Communions
ICON OF THE VIRGIN OF TENDERNESS
The Icon of the Virgin of Tenderness has been placed in the lady chapel.
Fr Tim's Tablet Article
Some week's back Fr Tim had an article published in the Tablet with the title 'The Catholic Marriage Maze'. You can access a copy of the issue it was published in by clicking here.
Thank you for the Tablet for permission to share it
JULY'S POEM FROM OUR RESIDENT POET
PIPE DREAMS
Who can resist the charms
Of a sunlit garden,
Particularly after the boring routine
Of the daily household chores!
Even the struggle with lethal, folding chairs
Fails to diminish the desire
To relax in the delight of unexpected Summer.
All too soon, irrespective of locality,
The sun exercises its might.
I fly on magical wings -
Completely unconnected with airports -
To familiar, faraway destination.
The burning sand speeds the feet
Towards blissful immersion in azure - mirror sea.
We're back celebrating twenty - one years of delight.
The clear, warm water occludes the cloudless sky.
How we've missed you, beautiful Porto!
And all the friends and staff
Who have made the last twenty years so memorable.
Surfacing, I swim towards
The distant, Kolokitha peninsula.
The trauma of the long, weary Covid months
Are washed away.
I smile contentedly.
“What were you dreaming about?”
I open my eyes.
No Cretan Paradise embraces me.
No fear of Greeks bearing gifts,
Just one faithful, ancient warrior
Holding frosted, ice - filled glass of….
An unnamed elixir,
To console for the disappointment
Of the return to normality.
Let's drink to that!
Eileen Murray © June 2121
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Life’s many pathways
Cross, diverge, re-cross.
With every meeting
(Short or long)
Must come a parting.
Sorrow may blear
Those golden memories.
Yet, one day,
Parting is no more –
Eternal Re-union.
So much to share,
With those who go before!
Eileen Murray © 2021
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