News Blog page 11 |
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19.5.20.
Throughout the years some values remain the same. This verse,
written in the 1960's, seems very apt for our present day.
Click on the pic opposite. |
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13.5.20.
Today is a special anniversary for the Order of the Visitation;
100 years since the canonisation of our Sister, Saint Margaret
Mary Alocoque. This Jubilee year hasn't quite turned out as
planned, because of the lock-down restrictions all over the
world many of the celebrations, pilgrimages & gatherings have to
be virtual & we too will join & share with our sisters in
Paray-le-Monial for their live Jubilee Mass this afternoon. God
be Praised!
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10.5.20.
Our Lady's Bower is progressing as you can see, (see previously below
24.4.) We just have to erect the actual arbour now & on this
beautiful morning, during her special month of May we pray 'Holy
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now & at the hour of
our death'. |
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6.5.20.
'The Great Realisation'.
This is really beautiful & worth seeing. |
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4.5.20.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday & the tradition in our community
is to thank our 'Good Shepherd', our Mother Jane Margaret, for
her shepherding of our community. We also have a spring-flowered
shepherd's crook & sing 'All in an April evening', changing it
to May this year! Right now in our suffering world we have so
many 'good shepherds' looking after others, watching out for
them, nursing them, just being there for them. God bless all our
Good Shepherds. |
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2.5.20.
From the Outside
looking In
it's hard to understand.
From the Inside
looking Out
it's hard to explain. |
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24.4.20.
We are going to construct an 'Our Lady's Bower' at the end of
one of the paths, so at recreation the other day we went to see the slabs that will make the path &
take measurements. The new green growth of Spring is spectacular
everywhere. |
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22.4.20.
Today we had the funeral of our dear Sr M. Dorothy. Because of
lock-down regulations Sister was not able to return home so we
had her funeral Mass at 10am & two sisters were allowed to go to
the cemetery at 2pm for the burial. On this sunny, spring day we
celebrated our dear Sister's life, thanking God for her presence
among us in the community. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord &
may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen
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20.4.20.
The computer has been away having major surgery so we were
unable to wish you Easter Blessings on Easter Sunday. We do so now &
hope that despite the present situation in our world it was for
you a time of stillness, peace & joy. May the risen Christ be
with us in our daily difficulties & distress, & may He give us a
spirit of courage, acceptance & gratitude. ALLELUIA! |
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4.4.20.
Yesterday, the First Friday of the month, our dear Sr Mary
Dorothy went home to God. Sister was 100 years old & had been a
Visitation sister for 37 years. She had a great devotion to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus & is now enfolded in His love. May she
rest in peace. |
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1.4.20.
On this first day of April, the sun is shining in a blue sky,
spring has truly sprung & all around new life is making an
appearance. This Lent, perhaps more than any other, we're truly
called into the desert. That place of barreness, isolation &
hardship. The Coronavirus has influenced our Lenten days with no
masses, no sacraments, no shared meetings. In this place of
'aloneness & solitude' we're called to PRAYER. To forgo outward
expressions of spirituality & go deeper within ourselves. To
revive & renew our personal relationships with this God who
walks with us during these difficult days; who continually tells
us 'Do not fear.' |
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28.3.20.
We are praying for you all & for our world.
Take care & keep safe. |
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22.3.20.
We all know the story of Cinderella. The name itself means: the
little girl - Puella - who sits in the ashes - in the cinders.
The point of the story is that before we can attain beauty of
soul, of mind, of person, before we are found by our prince,
before we can go the great banquet, we must first spend time
alone in the ashes, humble, tending to duty, a little ragged &
waiting for the moment, the favourable time. We are all called
to sit amidst our ashes & never more so that at this time of
universal anquish. The Coronavirus has dominated our newspapers,
our news bulletins, there is no escape, we are in this together.
We go forward - together. We're united in love & prayer with all
those for whom this day is hard to face, we pray for healing,
for courage & resilience, we pray for patience & open hearts -
together.
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19.3.20.
This solemnity of St
Joseph
is a very special day for our community as it was on the 19th
March 1804 that our 3 heroic, founding sisters made the
hazardous journey from France, via Portugal & pirates to found the first
Visitation monastery in
England. While remembering
their courageous generosity we place our fearful, suffering
world today in the paternal arms of
St Joseph & under his protection.
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15.3.20.
Lent is a time for focusing on the heart. The word Lent is
derived from an old English word meaning 'springtime'. In Latin
'lente' ie lent with an 'e' on the end means slowly. So this
very special season in the Church's year points to the coming of
Spring & it also invites us to slow down & review our lives. |
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6.3.20.
Today is Women's World Day of Prayer, & throughout the world
women of different races, cultures & traditions, together with
their families, will come together in prayer & action for peace
& justice. Preparing the theme for this year are the women of
Zimbabwe. Their title is 'Take up your mat & walk'. Zimbabwe
means ' house of stones', & is a country of 16 million people.
We unite, on this First Friday, with them in love & prayer as we
spend the day in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. |
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29.2.20.
It's already the last day of February & the first weekend of
Lent. This isn't just a season of giving up, more one of giving;
of ourselves, of our gifts, of our time. Things that cost us yet
can bring such riches to the lives of others. Let us find a way
to help Jesus carry His cross this Lent.
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23.2.20.
Even on these dark, wet mornings God smiles & lets the light
through. He brings us joy in the beauty that reveals itself in
all that surrounds us.
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16.2.20.
We all have signposts in life, pointing us in different
directions, steering the course of our day. What is the signpost
that points you to God? Is it a wooden sign, clear & precise, is
it a person, something they say, something they do? Is it a
book, a poem, a news article? The directions are there, speaking
to our heart. Let's make sure our inner SatNav is working &
we're alert, going in the right direction - just for
today. |
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10.2.20.
In this special Jubilee year for St Margaret Mary we share a
passage from her writings.
Please click the picture. |
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6.2.20.
Some February pics from around
the monastery to share with you.
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2.2.20.
We all like a good mystery don't we? There is something
beautifully mysterious in the vision of a crisp, frosty morning
in February, with the shrouded sun rising behind Patmos; an
almost 'cold' sun bringing us the promise of a brighter day
ahead. |
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27.1.20.
When we were younger we used to sing a hymn -
'Mary-like in soul & body,
Mary-like in mind & heart,
Mary-like in every action
Child of God how fair thou art. . . . '
How wonderful it would be if we had the gift & grace to be truly
Mary-like in our daily lives. |
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24.1.20.
Today we celebrate the feast of our Holy Founder, St Francis de
Sales. We join with our sisters & friends throughout the world,
giving thanks for his life & asking his blessing on all those we
hold in our hearts. Patron Saint of journalists & the deaf, we
ask his special care of all who call upon him.
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17.1.20.
Words of solace from a wise person for the beginning of this new
year - 'If you think you have blown God's plan for your life,
rest in this - you my beautiful friend are not that powerful!' |
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10.1.20.
The New Year brings new beginnings, new miracles & new beauty
into our lives. We welcomed all of these in 10 day old Martha on
Monday when her Mum & Dad, Bethan & Mark, brought her to meet
her great Aunt, Mother Jane Margaret. Isn't it a miracle in
itself that such a tiny baby can bring such joy & love? Praise
God for His gifts to us.
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5.1.20.
Epiphany
The word 'Epiphany' means a moment of sudden understanding or
revelation - a 'wow' moment. The Wise Men kneeling before Jesus
was a 'wow' moment, an immediate recognition & revelation
moment. We live these moments each day as our gentle God showers
us with gifts in our ordinary lives, but we don't always
recognise them. It's sometimes seeing it in others that can open
our hearts & minds. We kneel before the crib today with our
small, seemingly insignificant gifts & sing with the carol "All
I can I give Him, give my heart". |
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27.12.19.
Some pictures to share our Christmas festivities with you. Click
on the pics opposite. |
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CHRISTMAS DAY 2019
Wishing you all many blessings for Christmas & the New Year &
keeping you & all those you hold in your hearts in our prayers. |
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18.12.19.
The weeks are speeding by & our 3rd Advent wreath candle is lit;
we are intoning the beautiful O Antiphons at Vespers each day.
Last Saturday we enoyed our last Daughters of St Francis de
Sales' gathering for this year. We sang carols for most of the
afternoon, united in proclaiming 'Come Lord Jesus come! |
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click on picture to
see video & photos |
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8.12.19.
Yesterday we had a 'Be an Angel in Advent' day, hosted &
prepared by Sue. It was a mixture of prayer, sharing, creativity
& fun as you can see by the pictures opposite. As Sue told us '
Angels fly because they take themselves lightly'!
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7.12.19.
Click on the picture to see an alternative Christmas arrangement
of 1st Corinthians: 13. |
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30.11.19.
The Advent wreath is prepared, the first candle ready to be lit.
This evening we will welcome in this beautiful season of
longing, hope & expectation as we sing the Vesper psalms for the 1st Sunday of
Advent . We wait with you in stillness; may our God
bathe us in His light as we each follow our star. |
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21.11.19.
On this beautiful feast of the Presentation of Our Lady we unite ourselves
with our sisters all over the world as we each renew our vows &
thank God for our vocations. Adoration before Jesus all day,
where we will remember you & all your intentions. God be
praised! |
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15.11.19.
These past three days we've had the joy of a Tridium retreat
with Sr Anna Hildagard, an Oblate Sister of St Francis de Sales;
originally from Austria but now in France, she shared her
wisdom, experience & joy with us in our mutual Salesian
spirituality & heritage. Donna, Lorraine, Sue & Paulette also
joined us. It's always good to welcome our larger Salesian
family & these dark November days were made brighter by the
riches we shared. |
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12.11.19.
Donna is with us for a few days so we had the 'excuse' of a
belated party for a 'special' birthday celebrated earlier in the
year. God be praised for good friends! |
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click picture for pics & video |
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10.11.19.
Remembrance Sunday
Always in our prayers. |
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2.11.19.
'Surround yourself with those who lift you higher'. |
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25.10.19.
A few weeks ago our dear Donna sent us a bumper parcel from
across the pond. It contained gifts to play the Exchange Game,
have you heard of that, we hadn't! We had great fun with much
laughter, unwrapping, swapping etc. as you can see in the
pictures. |
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21.10.19.
Tomorrow we keep the feastday of Pope St John Paul II. Here is a
picture when he was Cardinal Wojtyla, giving our sisters a
conference in our monastery of Kracow, Poland.
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20.10.19.
The evening before the feast of St Margaret Mary we had a Vigil.
We all often prepare for events taking place in our lives, give
them that extra time & thought & so it is with big feasts. We
prayed, sang & had readings to welcome in this special Saint who
is so much part of our lives today.
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15.10.19.
Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of one of our sisters, St
Margaret Mary Alacoque. This Jubilee year is special as we keep
the 100th anniversary of her canonisation. As you will see if
you click on the poster opposite, a Plenary Indulgence may be
obtained if you visit a Visitation chapel during this year, 2019
- 2020. Join with us in thanking & praising God for the life of
our sister & for the many graces & blessings she bestows on all
who pray through her intercession. |
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click here to
read
words of wisdom from
Mother
Jane Margaret |
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13.10.19.
Tomorrow we'll all be in Rome, courtesy of E.W.T.N. for the
canonisation of St John Henry Newman. Click on the picture
opposite to go to his web page and see his connection with our
community. |
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27.9.19.
Sr M. Blogerina will be going into her annual retreat tonight.
Please pray for her conversion as she keeps you & all your
intentions in her prayers. |
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20.9.19.
On Wednesday we welcomed our good friends, the community of
Sisters, Canonesses of Windesheim. It was a bright, sunny autumn
day with a nip in the air as they arrived. We enjoyed a lovely
tea together, sharing news, laughter & aspirations. |
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15.9.19.
At the end of August our Mother Jane Margaret spent a week at
our monasteries in Paray le Monial & Moulin, at a Federation
meeting; a gathering of sisters from our monasteries in the
north of France. The days were extremely hot as friendships were
renewed, monastery business attended to & sisterly affection &
joy displayed. Our monastery of Paray is where the Sacred Heart
of Jesus appeared to our Sister, St. Margaret Mary Alocoque in
1673. This year, beginning on her feast Oct. 16th, marks the
100th anniversary of her canonisation & is a special year for
our Order. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus reign in each of our
hearts & in our country. |
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8.9.19.
On September 6th we had the joy of wishing our dear Sr M. Dorothy a very
Happy 100th Birthday! Yesterday we had a little tea-party for her, preceded
by a beautiful Mass of Our Lady at which our dear Fr Jim Hurley presided. It
is no mean feat to reach 100 years & we each rejoiced with Sister & thanked
God for her presence in our community, for her joy in her religious vocation
& for her years of faithful dedication. God be Praised! |
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click on picture
click
here
for birthday
video |
Celebrating you & all the lives
you've touched,
all the memories you've made,
and the love & laughter
you've shared.
Celebrating
100 wonderful years
of YOU
our dear Sister.
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28.8.19.
'Do not be dismayed by the brokeness of the world. All things break. Not
with time, as they say, but with intention. So go, love intentionally,
extravigantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the
light that is you!'
L.R.Knost.
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17.8.19.
For the past 2 weeks we've had the blessing of Canon David Ryan with us. Fr
David is from Bath, Somerset where he has a busy parish; this was a time of
rest, prayer & discernment & we were happy to welcome him. He was a breath
of fresh air, filled with enthusiasm, positivity & the joy of the Lord. |
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14.8.19.
It's that season when the busy bees have been hard at work & this year with
Mother Jane Margaret's help they have produced a bumper crop, well at least
the most honey we've had so far! Praise the Lord for all the sweetness He
sends us in so many ways. |
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11.8.19.
This evening 1st Vespers flows us into the feast of our Holy Mother, St Jane
Francis de Chantal. We unite with our Sisters & friends all over the world, rejoicing in our vocations
& asking blessings for you as we each
try to 'Live Jesus' in gratefulness & trust.
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1.8.19.
We had the annual visit from our good friends Sadie & Angela last month,
they come each year for their retreat & always bring with them from the
Emerald Isle their beautiful smiles & sense of humour. |
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28.7.18.
Check out the new cards in our
online shop, click the link 'cards' below in the left hand column. |
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24.7.19.
At the end of the Wimbledon season a Vicar, in our neighbouring town of
Heathfield, remarked on a bill poster he had seen outside a church recently.
"With tennis love means nothing at all, but with God LOVE means everything!"
Of course this is witty & clever, meant to catch our eye, but it is also
very true. God has many names, many attributes but for us He is LOVE &
that's all we need. |
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17.7.19.
To watch something grow from a tiny seed into something beautiful is
awesome; do you think that's how
God watches us? |
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4.7.19.
Sometimes the words of songs have great meaning & a truth in them & because
they are a 'catchy' tune they stay with us, we remember them. Does anyone
remember this song of Bob Dylan, it's actually got 7 verses & a chorus &
came out in 1979? Here are just a few verses. |
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30.6.19.
It has been very dry & hot but the kitchen garden has managed to produce
some veggie crops assisted by Sr Clare Chantal. It's hard, heavy work when
the soil is so dry. Sr Mary Scarecrow is doing her best to keep the birds &
rabbits at bay & we leave the rest to God! |
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25.6.19.
It's the month of June, the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus whose feast
we'll be celebrating this Friday. It's a feast very special to us as St
Margaret Mary was a Visitation Sister. The Sacred Heart is the home of God's
compassion, mercy & love & what better place to lay all the worries &
problems of our world, of our personal lives. He will enfold them & give us
courage & strength to face each new day. One day at a time -
that's all most of us can cope with! |
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17.6.19.
We had a wonderful celebration on Saturday when two of our Daughters of St
Francis de Sales, Teresa & Sarah, made their Consecration at a mass
celebrated by Fr Jim Hurley. We welcomed their families & friends from
Scotand & America who together with our group of Daughters spent a happy
day, full of singing, joy & blessings. |
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click on both pictures
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to
see short videos click here
to
read Fr Jim's sermon click here |
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5.6.19.
It will be a month on Friday since Jean Vanier died. This gentle man, a
giant on so many levels - spiritually, in heart, humanity & in stature -
touched so many lives, especially those with whom he shared his life. What a
rich legacy he has
left us, this Saint of God. We were privileged to have welcomed him twice to
our monastery. The photo opposite in of one of those visits in the 90's.
From the hundreds of attributes Jean received we loved these words from a
letter in the 'Tablet' from Diana Barren, who was appointed to the House of
Lords in 2018 & serves as a Governess Whip & Baroness in Waiting.
'As he grew older he seemed to have such an intimate relationship with
Jesus that it felt like there was no distance between them'.
Tonight we begin our Tridium retreat before Pentecost, we'll remember you,
your intentions & your families.
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25.5.19.
We all believe in miracles don't we? But perhaps we don't always expect to
see them! If we look around each day at the 'ordinary' things in our daily
lives we'll witness so many from our loving & merciful God.
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16.5.19.
As we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday last week, we greeted Mother Jane
Margaret with our flower-decked crook, thanking her for her 'shepherding' of
our community.
'All in a spring-time morning,
full of joy we pray
your sheep & your little lambs
greet their shepherd today.
Each year on this happy morning
flower-decked crook do we bring
symbol of loving guidance
we think on the care of God.' |
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9.5.19.
This week we had the joy of welcoming 7 Missionary sisters Charity from
Southwark in London for the day.
They ventured out of the 'smoke' & accompanied by Fr Jim & Jack the driver
we spent a happy few hours together. Hailing from 7 different countries we
laughed, sang & enjoyed a cup of tea. Praise the Lord for the gift of
friendship. |
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click picture for page 1 pics
click here
◊mcpicpage 2s2.html
for page 2 pics |
click here for
videos |
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2.5.19
Today it looks as if the heavens are going to open & give us a good heavy
shower, but if you take a stroll in the woods you'll be immersed in a sea of
blue as the Bluebells are fully out, perfuming the air & giving an ethereal
atmosphere. Very appropriate for this beautiful month of Our Lady.
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25.4.19.
Our Easter pics to share with you. |
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EASTER SUNDAY
Easter
Blessings to you all,
may the joy of our risen Lord
fill your hearts & lives with
thanksgiving & peace. |
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13.4.19.
Spring is in the air, all around nature is revealing herself; the birds are
singing & the cuckoo should return next week, if he is on time, the promise
of renewal & new life lifts our hearts. The beginnings of our veggie crops
are showing their tiny heads above the soil in the greenhouse - the promise
of good things to come, and so we enter into this holiest of weeks. As a
community we are in retreat; extra prayer, extra stillness, we carry with us
our troubled & suffering world, we place at the foot of the cross all those
with heavy hearts - for whatever reason - and we look to Jesus to show us
the way. |
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4.4.19.
Yesterday we held the funeral of our dear Sr M Catherine, bidding her
farewell with a beautiful mass concelebrated by four priest friends. We
celebrated her life on a bright sunny April day, thanking God for her
presence over many years in our community. |
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23.3.19.
We have been knee-deep in glorious daffodils this year, truly a sight to
behold. Click on the picture opposite. |
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19.3.19.
Today, the feast of St Joseph, patron of the dying, our dear Sr M. Catherine
went to God at 3am this morning. Sister had celebrated her 90th birthday
last month & had been poorly for several weeks. Before entering the
monastery she had been a teacher for many years & always maintained a
childlike quality. She was professed 46 years. Now she is at peace; may she
rest in the arms of her beloved Jesus.
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18.3.19.
Praying with & for the people of Christchurch. |
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10.3.19.
1st Sunday in Lent
As we say the Litany of the Passion each day and sing the Stabat Martyr we
think of all the suffering mothers of our world today. So very many who have
lost sons and daughters in tragic circumstances. May Our Lady of Sorrows be
for them a comfort and consolation as they each stand at the foot of their
cross and mourn.
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click picture |
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5.3.19.
Shrove Tuesday
This morning a bit of 'tossing went on in the kitchen! Sadly I don't seem to
have got any mid-air pancake pics so you'll have to take my word that there
was some fine tossing achieved! As you can see from the sister's faces it's
a very serious business!
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22.2.19.
For the past ten days we've had a very nasty dose of flu. Every sister
except one caught it; the monastery has resounded with hacking coughs &
sneezes, bleary eyes & copious hankies. There's been cough mixtures,
expectorants, throat lozengers, Vick vapour rubs, thermometers &
anything else you can think of! Happily the worst seems to be over & now the
only way is up! Praise the Lord!
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10.2.19.
Our dear Donna has now returned to the States after her two week stay. In
true British style we had a tea & supper party & raised our cups of tea to
bid her adieu!
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7.2.19.
Our procession for the feast of the Presentation February 2nd.
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2.1.19.
A few January pics from around the monastery. |
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30.1.19.
God accompanies us on our journey through life with many sign-posts to guide us.
They may not be as clear as in the picture opposite but they are there if we
look. They may be a friend or a stranger; they may be a child or an animal;
they may be a thought, an inspiration or a prayer. If we are truly looking
God will always show us the way.
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26.1.19.
She may never win 'Bake off' or 'Master Chef' but Sr M. Teresa gets our
votes after she made us chocolate brownies!
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24.1.19.
Our Vigil for Holy Founder last night. |
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23.1.19.
Today we end the novena to St Francis de Sales, as we begin his feast with
1st Vespers & a Vigil service this evening. We wish you many blessings &
remember you & all your intentions in prayer at adoration all day tomorrow.
The little painting opposite was brought from France by Mother Therese
Chantal Hurard, who founded the Visitation in England in 1804. |
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'O Theotimus, the soul of our Saviour knew each one of us by
name & by surname: above all on the day of His Passion when He
offered His tears, His prayers, His blood & His life for all
....'
St
Francis de Sales |
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12.1.19.
Many of us have used the Metro in Paris & even more the Underground in
London. It's a quick way of travelling, if not a comfortable trip during the
times of rush-hour. Its span covers over 250 miles deep beneath the surface
& yesterday was the 153th anniversary of the opening of the London
Underground. We all use different modes of travel to reach our destinations
& so it is in our spiritual lives; we may travel side by side with the same
goal in view, but some of us make stops on the way, take diversions, choose
different times; we may or may not choose who we tavel with. Won't it be
great when we reach our final stop, go up that final escalator & fall into
the arms of Jesus?
Let's pray for all travellers today, that the holy angels will surround them
& bring them safely to their destination |
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6.1.19. The
Epiphany
'What can I give Him
feeble as I am,
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb;
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
give Him my Heart.
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4.1.19.
These shadow dancers are amazing.
They have such a creative skill. Click on the picture opposite. |
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3.1.19.
Happy New Year to everyone.
We are still in awe at the Incarnation story that we just celebrated a week
ago; or are we like the Scottish farmer who couldn't believe such a story?
To read it click on the picture opposite
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27.12.18.
As we approach the end of the year it's time to begin another webpage and
share some Christmas pics with you. Sr Paul Miryam celebrated her 92nd
birthday on Christmas day, you will see her blowing out the candles on her
cake - not 92 of them! May these post-Christmas days bring you joy & rest &
may you look forward in hope to the year ahead. |
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click on picture |
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