1

May 2016

I am confident that I speak for all who spent last week in Rome on our Pilgrimage to mark the 150th anniversary of the gift of the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour to the Redemptorists, when I say that we have returned home with the sense that we were part of something very special. In the course of the week we would visit the four great basilicas of Rome and we began on the Monday even-ing at St Mary Major, where we celebrated our first Mass. I think the joy of the pilgrims was expressed in the wonderful singing which rang round that basilica’s Sistine Chapel, where the acoustics were fantastic. We would return the following afternoon and join the procession with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Peter Smith (Southwark), Bishop Ralph, Fr Michael Brehl (Redemptorist General) and bishops, clergy and people from all over the world. A copy of the icon was solemnly carried the 300 yards down the Via Merulana to our Redemptorist church of St Alphonsus, where we celebrated our second Mass of the day,

Archdiocese of Liverpool. Registered Charity No. 232709

2

having already had the privilege of celebrat-ing our own pilgrimage Mass in the morning, at which Fr Ronnie McAinsh, the Provincial, preached, reminding us that our presence in Rome owed much to an early Redemptorist of our Province, Fr Edward Douglas. On Wednesday, we went to the papal audience in St Peter’s Square and had a

wonderful view of the Pope passing by. He spoke to us about the Year of Mercy and the depths of com-

3

passion in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the evening we were wel-comed to the magnificent chapel of the Venerable English College, where again Cardinal Vincent celebrated the Mass, accompanied by Archbishop Peter and Bishop Ralph. The occasion was the first coming together of the two English Colleges in Rome since 1918. Of course, the other is the Beda College (where incidentally Fr Tony Hodgetts had been Vice-Rector for many years). It was a chance for some of us – priests and people – to catch up with some old friends. A tour of the city was arranged for Thursday and in the late morning we stopped for Mass at the Dominican Church, Sancta Maria Sopra Minerva. The significance of this church for us was that it was there that St Alphonsus was ordained a bishop in 1762. Bishop Ralph introduced the Mass by saying: “Today one reluctant bishop pays homage to another!” At the end of the tour we went to the Basilica of St John Lateran (the Pope’s own Cathedral) and its special significance in relation to the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, is that originally Mary had revealed that she wished her image to be honoured between this and the Basilica of St Mary Major at the other end of the Via Merulana. The last of the great basil icas, St Paul outside the Walls, was the final stop of Friday’s tour and provided the setting for our final Mass, which was led by Fr Jim McManus, the author of the book which many of you have already read. Altogether it was a memorable and richly blessed week, now providing loads of happy memories.

Fr Tim Buckley C.Ss.R.

4

Parish News

J&P Youth Group: Doing Little Things with Great Love

This month, the J&P Youth Group was somewhat diminished with the PGL school trip and BEAP – Beauty and the Beast, but we still had fun and took part in great activities. On April 1st we presented Dave Flynn with a

cheque for fifty pounds for the Red Cross to say thank you for giving up his time to come and see us last month.

We started our new tuck shop, and Father Tim took the opportunity to share his Ping Pong skills!

We ended the evening with a reflection about refugees and a candle prayer.

We also spent time organising all the items for our collection for the Refugee Children Welcome Packs.

We were amazed and overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of items we received from our parishioners here and at St Marys. St Clares, Arundel Avenue, heard about our project and wanted

to help us, so between the three parishes we made up over one hundred

5

packs in beautiful cotton bags, each of which contained toiletries, pencils and pens, colouring books, toys and more!

We made bags for younger girls and boys – under five, ones for older girls and boys, some for teenagers, and even a few for Mums and Dads, plus over 500 nappies and wipes for the babies.

This week, we took them down to MRANG – Merseyside Refugee & Asylum Seekers Pre & Post Natal Support Group (find out more at www.mrang.org.uk) and the Belvidere Family Hostel (www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/for-homeless-families.html)

On April 15th we invited Nanas (and non-nanas!) to come and teach us how to knit. We laid out chintzy table cloths and flowery teacups plus plenty of cake and gallons of tea and welcomed some lovely

6

ladies. Susan Timmins, Breda Waters, Ada McGuinness, Pauline Formela, Molly Taylor and Jo Pollard came along and shared their skills.

Mary White taught many of us how to crochet, although some of the older ones of us struggled!

We would like to continue knitting and crocheting so that we can eventually put

together blankets for homeless peo-ple and new-borns, so please watch out for another invita-tion and come along and help.

Thank you to everyone who

contributed wool and needles. It was a very special night.

We have just planned the next three months’ activities, and we continue to be deeply grateful for all the sup-port from our fellow parishioners. Keep praying for us! Sarah McGeehan semoorhead@hotmail.com

There’s plenty more photos on the website!

7

ONE WORLD GROUP SUNDAY LUNCH AT 60 HOPE SREET

Our thanks go out to every one w ho supported our lunch fundraiser at 60 Hope Street on Sunday 3rd April. We w ere made very w elcome by all the friendly staff on duty and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch in a lovely atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and for donations including raff le prizes and to 60 Hope Street w ho alw ays donate a raff le prize for a three course lunch at the restaurant. £700 w as raised through ticket sales,

donations and raff le. Your continued support and generosity is alw ays appreciated and is w hat keeps our small charity going. Our thanks again, Sara Eccleston.

8

For Your Diary

DATE

7 May

7 May

9 May

10 May

11 May

14 May

17 May

17 May

21 May

31 May

3 June

3 June

4 June

5 June

6 June

EVENT Friends of the Holy Land Mass Parish Quiz Night—Bring your own refreshments Novena Meeting Bereavement Group Wednesday lunch NO NOON MASS due to - Confirmations and First Communions Women’s Group RYM Young Adults Folk Group Practise RYM Young Adults J&P Group Holy Hour Adoration Friends of the Holy Land Mass Parish Quiz Night—Bring your own refreshments Coffee Morning & Repository

TIME

12 noon

8.00 pm/ 8.30 pm

7.00 pm

2.00 pm

12.30 pm

10.00 am

& 3.00 pm

12.30 pm

7.30 pm

2.00 pm

7.30 pm

6.00 pm

7.30 pm

12 noon

8.00 pm/ 8.30 pm

9.30am & 10.30am

PLACE Church F/More Hall St Mary’s Hall Hughes Room F/More Hall Church F/More Hall F/More Hall F/More Hall F/More Hall F/More Hall Church Church F/More Hall F/More Hall

9

10

11

New Clothes

Sale in aid of

Street Child Africa

Saturday 14th May at

St. Mary’s

10.30am to 1.00pm

A local wholesaler has again donated a large number of new summer clothes suitable for toddlers, children and teenagers. Many of the clothes are chain store samples and are of very good quality. There are T shirts, shorts, leggings, sweatshirts and nightwear.

The sweat shirts are £2-00 and all other items are just £1-00.

All money raised will help the babies and toddlers of the teenage mums living on the streets of Accra.

Do you want to contribute? THIS IS YOUR MAGAZINE!

Articles regarding parish events always gratefully received

Note: All contributions must be accompanied by name and contact details

Contact the Parish Office: Tel: 0151 737 4110 Email: ourladysparish.bishopeton@btconnect.com

Archdiocese of Liverpool. Registered Charity No. 232709

12

Bishop Eton FISHER – MORE HALL

Presents

Parish Quiz Night

Every First Saturday of the month

at 8.00PM for 8.30PM start

£1 per person per quiz —Cash prizes! Bring your own refreshments

Parish Web-Site—www.bishopeton.org.uk:

• If you are responsible for a parish group let us know when contact details change, when you organise events and take photos of the events.

• Electronic versions of posters can be uploaded to the web-site. • E-mail in photos of events to: administrator@bishopeton.org.uk or to ourladysparish.bishopeton@btconnect.com.

Help is still required to maintain the website. The work is

currently done by one parishioner. So if you have some expertise and give up some time to help update the site please contact us.

THANK YOU

13

Lime Street Station

On the concourse far below, The unexpected April sun shines benevolently,

Through lofty, glazed arches upon the moving populace

Intent on arrivals and departures. Laden with the extra accoutrements

To feed our three day reunion, We arrive – ahead of time.

Unsurprisingly, the train we await -is delayed!

Time to sit, survey and create tales, Of romance, heartbreak, even intrigue,

Which engendered the meeting of the spectacularly diverse At this particular time and place.

A cleaner, the go-between Ken D and Bessie B, Meticulously brushing miniscule motes,

Smiles sweetly when complimented On pristine appearance of well-loved artefacts.

An intricate choreography of bodies weaving in and out, Different in tempo and direction Yet colourful and captivating,

Fills the waiting minutes. Noiselessly, the train sinuously glides to a

halt. The once deserted platform is transformed As passengers erupt from confining tube. The snaking mass surges towards the exit.

Our hungry eyes spot him. A smile, a hug, a handshake, a kiss. The sun shines even more brightly.

Eileen Murray © 2016

This Month’s Poem

14

We want your stamps!

funds go to

Redemptorist Mission Action

A cheque for £170 has been sent to Fr Gabby

for RMA

Thank you so much.

There is a box in the sacristy waiting for all your used stamps which are collected at regular intervals.

Congratulations to :-

John Bomier and Helen Cooper married here on 2 April.

Benjamin Freeney and Emma McDonough married here on 29 April

Kevin De La Cruz and Shoonagh Brickland married here on 30 April

We hope you have a long and happy life together.

15

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of :-

Mary Walls formerly of Greenhill Avenue, aged 90 years. Marie Durkin of Moss Bank Road, aged 71 years.

Frances Hickey of Mollington, Chester, aged 81 years

May they rest in peace.

Wear no false air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile and think of me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. I am but waiting for you just around the corner. All is well.

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you; whatever we were to each other, that we still are.

The following children have been baptised at Bishop Eton during the last month. A big welcome to our Parish family:

Harper Bowyer, baptised on 2 April.

James Magill, baptised on 17 April. Noah Sumner, also baptised on 17 April.

Llayton Harvey, also baptised on 17 April.

Cora Daniel, baptised on 24 April.

Jacob Carley, also baptised on 24 April.

Ava Carley, also baptised on 24 April.

Robyn Weston, baptised on 1 May.

Matilda Graham, also baptised on 1 May.

16