Rather belatedly, here is some for our Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11th February. We celebrated in the usual way, anointing the sick during Mass, sharing a little pilgrimage to the Grotto and ending the day with Compline and a renewal of our Act of Consecration. This year, however, we had a special addition to our programme, welcoming Jo and Cecilia, who have joined us as postulants. Please keep them and us in your prayers.
A lot has happened since our last published news in October. Our two new lodges in the orchard were completed and are now inhabited by our staff and their children. The Northern Lights put on a great show all over the country. Sr Marian and Sr Teresina went to Rome for an Augustinian course in November, and Sr Margaret A. was recently in Valladolid in Spain, for a week’s teaching in the seminary. Several Sisters also went to Hyning Hall on 3rd February, to celebrate the Day for Consecrated Life with other Religious and Consecrated Women from the Diocese. Fr Toby Lees OP gave excellent talks for this.
Our new lectionaries were donated in memory of Evelyn and Gordon Charge, Fr Dixie’s sister and brother-in-law.
The Chapel was full for the Advent Carol service, and for the funeral of Fr Alf Parker, parish priest of Grange for many years. In the first week in November we held our usual various services of Remembrance: All Saints, All Souls, and prayers and candle-lighting for our deceased Sisters and for residents, relatives and friends who had recently died. These included Alex Radelescu, a member of the kitchen staff, and staff family members Jean Hughes, Vincent Leaver and Denys Vaughan.
Friends of the Community who have died recently include Elizabeth Harrison, Frank Jordan, Wendy Brown, and John Anderson, who also worked for Boarbank for many years both as a builder and plasterer and as head gardener. Residents who have died recently include Jack Ainscow, Lynn Alexander, Joyce Fox, Sydney Searle, Angela Jones, Bryan Wright, Harold Nichols and Larry Walters. We pray for consolation for their families and friends. May they rest in peace.
We welcomed lots of guests to the Guest House and the Refectory over Christmas, including a big group of Fr Dixie’s family and the mothers of Sr Silvana and Sr Margaret A. It is lovely to see the Guest House really coming back to life after an inevitably quiet few years. We have also welcomed back to the Guest House Clergy Deanery meetings, as well as the Meditation Group. (Our local owl joins in with them in spirit!)
Two bits of exciting news from the Nursing Home – both Maria and Moira have had babies, and subsequently brought them to visit. We congratulate them and their families, and look forward eventually to their return to work.
Finally, there is a full course of residential events in the Guest House for 2025. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, see whats-on.