Dearest All.
That is it. The end of a crazy academic year, in more ways than one. Our Year 6 have gone and in our little place of Withnell we have lost whole families as there are no siblings. The end of an era. Quite a number have left us, and so I wish them well in their future careers; a new chapter in their academic lives, and a brave new world ahead of them all. I also wish all Year 11 well, as a past teacher.
The end of the academic year 2020 was akin to a Christmas. There were cards, flowers, chocolates, bottles of wine flying around, and for us “on guard” at the gates doing duty it was a privilege and joy to be acknowledged and receive. Mrs. P our Lollipop Lady and myself were honoured with so many gifts after hours of wet, wind and cold.
It is so so quiet as I write. On Saturday I was in the Presbytery kitchen making Fr. P his second Brew, when there was a resounding announcement: “Look! There is a deer.” As large as life was a male Roe, complete with antlers, on the front lawn. It was quite resplendent and confident. For me it was amazing. Fr. P has seen females with their fawns in the past. This was a first for me, He gazed in the full glare of the 9.00am. sun and then loped off towards the car park after a quick fresh green grass graze.
Talking of which, the Bunny who has adopted us, is getting more and more remarkable and bold in its ways. I can talk to it as to a human and it will not move and looks at me as if understanding everything I say. I nearly stroked it last week as it fed on the bird seed; the newly adopted feed area. Bunny is loved by the School Staff, the children and ourselves, and has been a source of joy in these horrible times and has given us tremendous pleasure. I have seen it stretched out on the car park in the sun and delighted parents and children just smiled. This little creature is such a welcome.
There is so much I could tell you of our little world. The Honeysuckle, 'Eglantine' is magnificent in the hedgerows. Our standard of Rowans are flourishing already with vibrant red berries, and it is only mid July, and against dark skies they glow as fire-brands. I was on patrol around the Estate to see that the Elderberry is now in full fruit and the Blackberry rambles are full of pale mauve flowers ready to fruit. The hedgerows are thriving with Sparrows; I have never known as many. Also, another first for me, baby Wrens bobbing around in the Hawthorn hedges.
At last Mrs. P and I have finished our daily two Sessions of seventy minutes each 'Guard Duty' to keep our children safe. Fr. P made a 'guest appearance' on Friday afternoon 17th. to wish everybody a happy holiday and to catch up with the parents whom he hadn't seen since Lockdown.
It is our first dry sunny Sunday. I walked around the gardens and wept as I saw the ravages of wet, wet weeks. Thus I know my work for the six weeks of holidays; a total staycation. Many parents and children are doing likewise. I slept through “Country File” and now see myself wandering into the Summer holidays. I keep in touch with all my lovely friends by phone or Email as the Dog Days of Summer fast approach. What a year!
I hope to be back with you all in September, God willing. This is the last 'Corner' until 6th. September. We all need little Breaks to regenerate.
Our Lady of Perpetual Succour pray for us all.
Take care.
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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