Dear Readers.
Here we go again. Another wild, wet, windy, stormy weekend with further floods, misery, upset and wretched half-term for so many families. I wonder how many have gone abroad for sun, sand or ski? It certainly sems to have been an extraordinary long six weeks of post Christmas and New Year, which feels so, so long ago. Grumpiness rules all around as we are all blaming the weather. It appears to be continuous.
I turn the clock back to Storm Ciara with her battering winds and swirling rain clouds. Dare I say torrents of water from the word “Go.” I was drenched attempting to unlock the gates for Fr. P to go intrepidly to St. Mary's for the 8.00am. Mass. Withnell was awash. Brinscall was flooded with sand-bags in evidence, wheelie bins were going vagrant and pot plants were roaming around gardens. We had our faithful few for Sunday Mass - utterly understandable - as those who were able to walk or brave the drive did so, and we remembered all those stuck at home. Nationally it was a dreadful Sunday. I even had the timerity to forbid Fr. P going out on his usual Sunday Sick Calls because of our local conditions. He had an extra (deserved) two hours snooze in his 'comfy' chair.
Monday for me was magical. I spent all day from 10.00am. with Class 3 on a DT Project; Valentine's cakes. I worked with a lovely TA called Clare, and the children, Clare, Mr. B and I had a wonderful creative experiential day. Such a laugh; the children still lovelicking the mixing bowl, as I did many years ago. Plus we had quite a few 'Chefs' in the team on the QT; good for you boys!
Tuesday was the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, which for many parishioners is a touchingly sensitive day for obvious reasons. Fr. P was busy anointing the Sick at St. Mary's, whilst I was serving lunch for our school children. Then out of the blue I received a phone call from my brother Patrick on Thursday 13th. February, which was my summons for my MRI Scan at Chorley. It was dated 11th.; Our Lady of Lourdes! I was, as you can imagine, thrown into utter chaotic fear-dread-horror. The usual 'Gilbo' reaction.
Wednesday was a brilliant day for Fr. P and I in school; a case of religious mania! It was a wickedly , cold, blustery day, but we had a delightful Class 2 Mass in church with extremely lively readers (thanks to Miss H, the class Teacher). This was swiftly followed by Class 1 (Reception and Year 1 Early Years) at 11.00am. in church. They wanted to know about the artefacts of the church c/o Mrs. A. The Rosary was led by Fr. P at 11.50am. And we got quite a few 'freshers' which was so encouraging and thrilling. May this Venture truly thrive. I finished off this crazy day with Sacramental Programme for two Candidates......wow!
Happy Valentines Day to all and sundry! My Uni. Friends (now well and truly wed) said, “Hum-Bug.” So there you go. I am quite happy just feeding the little birds and watching the Moors with all its moods and colours.
God bless.
Love and prayers.
Jane
Most weekends we have our young people helping with the Collection, collecting Missalettes at the end of Mass and taking part in the Offertory Procession. We try to alter our front of church Tableau each week to fit in with the Gospel of the Day, and a short explanation is given to the Congregation.
People show great interest in what the Catechist does each week!. Our parish is a small country one, and through the Sunday Mass our little ones get to know each other before entering our school.
Fr. Peter Charles Crowther obl. sbso | The Presbytery, Bury Lane, Withnell, Chorley, PR6 8SD | Tel 01254 830 995 | Reg Charity: 232709
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