It has been a busy few months since our last web news! As usual we have had the delight of welcoming lots of guests to the Community. These have included: a group of young French volunteers who help the work of the Sisters in Thibermont, along with Sister Jean Thérèse ; John and Gaby for a significant birthday; and Anna and family for her 18th birthday.
The Guest House house is gradually filling up again after the pandemic. We have much enjoyed the residential weeks: Two Wings & Some Prayers in May, a birdwatching retreat; Catholic Social Teaching in June and Thinking Faith, on the theme ‘Exploring our Catholic Faith’ in July/August. (The photo below is from one of our Thinking Faith walks.) In April we were privileged to host a residential meeting for our ‘ECHO’ zoom group’, which supports Religious in caring for the sick and elderly, focusing on the theme of dementia. It was also lovely to host celebration of a very significant family milestone. Many congratulations to Brendan and Barbara.
Sisters have also been on their travels, on holiday and elsewhere. Sr Eileen and Sr Margaret A. went in June to Brittany for the Prioresses’ Assembly, and Sr Margaret A. to Valladolid in March, to teach the seminarians. Sisters have also attended various Jubilee celebrations: for Fr Frank Slattery, Fr Alf Parker, Sr Brenda Sweet and the Windermere parish. Many congratulations to the Jubilarians on their years of faithful loving service.
The replacement of the Guest House lift and the work on the new lodges for staff are nearing completion.
Paul Severn returned to Boarbank for the launch of his book, The Roman Catholic Bishops of Lancaster, about which he gave a very engaging talk. This was planned to coincide with the centenary of the Diocesan, which opens officially on the Feast of Christ the King.
We have been blessed with a number of volunteers, working in the Nursing Home and the garden, and making us even more international. A big thank you to Cecilia, Jumpei, Oria, Agnes, Anna Maria, Bálint and Théophile.
It was moving to mark the retirements of our nurses Jill and Sandra, who had many decades of service to Boarbank between them, especially on night duty. Words cannot express how grateful we are to them. Every good wish to them and their families, and also to other staff members who have moved on after shorter times at Boarbank.
The Christian Meditation Group continues to meet at Boarbank on the first Thursday of every month from 2 pm. If you are interested, please contact Geraldine on geraldine@life 1405.plus .com.
A Plant and Book Sale on 2nd June offered an enjoyable way of raising funds and meeting various old and new friends. On 26th August, Chris McCarthy very kindly organised a fundraising event at St Mary’s, Allithwaite. We are very grateful indeed to her and to all at St Mary’s for this. The two events between them raised nearly £1,500.
Inevitably, several much loved residents in our Nursing Home, and other friends of the Community, have died since February. These included our oldest resident, who was born before the Sisters came to Boarbank! A particular mention must go to Lloyd Saunders, who had dedicated his life as an undertaker to caring for the dead and bereaved, and had worked with Boarbank for many years. His funeral was a fittingly warm, dignified, and packed celebration of gratitude from all those he had touched. We offer sympathy to his family, and very best wishes to Liam, his grandson, who continues the fine family tradition. May he and all our deceased friends and relatives, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.