Hello again! Time flies!
It is a funny thing when you are unwell and out of action. Your life takes on new dimensions and perspectives and the crystal ball is viewed in re-calculated ways. My good health and activities as you will have gathered, have come to a crashing, grinding stand-still. Depression and deflation do not do justice as to how I was last week between 25th. and 30th. November. Then suddenly I had that “awakening” which I was desperately waiting for, and it came out of the blue. Yes, I was rudely thrust out of my self-concern and despondency, and I was driven into a rude awareness that there are others far worse off than myself. It came about as the result of an Email about somebody I admire enormously; a most gifted, talented artist who has been dealt cruel blows physically throughout life. Here was I, misery Mo, and there in hospital is that friend in dire, dire straits. Thank you Lord, for waking me up, if albeit cruelly. I am still up and about and our friend is dying in front of family and friends. Please pray always for others who may be a lot less fortunate than ourselves. The Spirit does work to get things in perspective within us!
The hurly-burly of Advent/Christmas is in full throttle, as you are probably aware. All my cards are written, stamped and posted. The Post Mistress and I love the Christmas stamps this year; they are very religious and so bring religious thoughts to mind as you apply them to your envelopes.
Oh yes, I have so many gifts to purchase. But this year may well be like Climate Change; devastating changes. I rely on Fr. P for transportation which is so irritating as I love driving my own little car, as you all know. “Message in a bottle,” okay, JC what are you telling me? Fr. P says that if I had no friends, like him, I would not have to bother wasting my money!!
A break through on Monday 2nd. December as my arm started moving tentatively forward, and I immediately considered housework; dusting, hoovering, polishing etc. Well that was quickly despatched, and I now have a lovely Polish lady who is doing the laundry and is going to help with cleaning. Truly, I have to eat humble pie and accept that I will require help, but she is gorgeous and so meticulous. Fr. P likes people like that, and as long as he is satisfied then I am happy, but only up to a point.
No sarcasm or bitterness. I am really looking forward to trips to Birkacre and Booths for 'special' gifts, which I want over and done with before the school breaks up on 20th. December. My pleasure is seeing the grins on the faces of Staff and children alike. “Bah, humbug,” is the usual annual groan of the parish priest!! He sees Christmas as an OTT time and not enough thought about Jesus, Son of God, Saviour.
The cold, freezing gorgeous mornings are soon to finish.
Keep well for Christmas.
Love and prayers as always.
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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