Catholic Church of St Mary-on-the-Quay Clifton Diocese, Bristol

Parish News - Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2009

2009-07-11T03:02:00.000-07:00

Redecoration of the Church: Plans for redecoration are moving forward. Tenders for the main contract will be invited within the next few days. Next weekend, a pamphlet explaining the situation in detail will be handed out with the Bulletin, as you come into the church. The following weekend, fund raising for the project will start in earnest with a special collection for the project, after each Mass.

Please take the bulletin home, next weekend, and read it. And please be generous, the following weekend. It will be possible to add to the value of your donation, using the Gift Aid arrangements, if you are a tax payer.

Please note that preliminary work will start during the coming week, on the lighting units and cabling for the lights and other systems in the church in preparation for redecoration. Services will go ahead as usual and no work will take place during the services but there may be some disturbance from the presence of ladders, scaffolding, etc. while the work is underway. Every effort will be made to keep this disturbance to a minimum.

Sea Sunday: Today is Sea Sunday, when the Church remembers all those who live and work at sea. Many people have never stopped to consider how important seafarers are to our standard of living. Without them we would not have most of the items we use in our every day lives. Many of these seafarers do not have the quality of life on board that every human has the right to.

Today’s second collection will be taken at Masses throughout the country, this annual event is absolutely vital for the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) – The official maritime welfare agency of the Catholic Church in Great Britain - to continue their work. Please give generously, and remember seafarers in your prayers. Thank you.

Marion Morgan: On Friday 31st July, at St Mary-on-the-Quay, the 5.30 Mass will be the Mass of St Ignatius Loyola (founder of the Jesuits). This will be concelebrated by Bishop Declan with our own clergy and some neighbouring priests. During this Mass, Marion Morgan will be consecrated, becoming one of the Order of Consecrated Virgins (O.C.V.) EVERYONE IS INVITED. There is a buffet afterwards. If you like to bring some food, this will be welcomed, but drinks will be provided. Do come and share in this happy occasion.

Summer outing to Hereford and Belmont Abbey, 27th June 2009

2009-07-02T17:19:00.001-07:00

The SVP kindly organised our eagerly awaited summer outing. We could not have wished for a better summer’s day. Blessed with a glorious morning with the sun graciously shining down upon us as we set off our on our coach journey over the new Severn Bridge catching the picturesque views of the rolling Welsh hills in the distant horizon.

Upon arrival in Hereford, the smallest city in England, we wandered at leisure visiting the many historical sites, including the Cathedral (housing the Mappa Mundi and Magna Carta exhibits, also the new stained glass dedicated to the 17th century poet and cleric Thomas Traherne in the Lady Chapel) which has stood on the site since Saxon times. Some of us had our lunch in the grounds of the Cider Museum, quenching our thirst with a most delightful glass or two of the cider produced there. Nearby stood the Catholic church of St Francis Xavier, an architectural gem saved from ruin and decay after a concerted effort by the local people. Its spectacular Gothic columns, in a flash brings one back to St Mary’s.

Our next port of call was Belmont Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1859. Wandering in the gardens surrounded by tall yew hedges, colourful rose beds and a fountain, we were warmly greeted by a monk who was calling for his dog, Badger. Some of us joined in to help look for her. It was a garden of peace and tranquillity listening to the symphony of birdsong.

A fitting close to the day was when Fr. Nico and Fr. Casimir celebrated Mass for the group in the Abbey church filled with its innumerable stone angels.
"St Benedict encouraged his monks to be aware of the Divine Presence and of his angels watching over us". On the spiritual level one could almost feel the presence of angels watching over us.
We remembered Fr. Michael especially at this time. Gathering round on and in front of the Altar joining hands to make a circle to pray the Our Father radiated a spontaneous feeling of love and unity... The SVP received a huge round of applause at the end of mass.

The Homily was given by Fr Casimir: Picture the performance of a wheelbarrow balanced on a tight rope between two high buildings which God is pushing. We can imagine ourselves in the wheelbarrow and having complete trust in God that he will safely bring us to the other side! He recalled his own call to the Priesthood when sometimes during the unknown journey he just had to trust in God totally.

After a welcoming cup of tea we embarked on the coach for the return to Bristol. The journey was broken by an announcement over the microphone, "Hello, hello...let us pray a decade of the rosary before you all fall asleep." What a fitting end to a wonderful, enriched and enjoyable outing.

We give grateful thanks to Fr. Nico and Fr. Casimir for their generous and valued time accompanying us. Till the next outing- watch this space!

The Baptism of Mark Icon

2009-06-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Please click the album to see more photos:

The Baptism of Mark Icon

Photos: Taken by Nilora
Date of Baptism: 20th June 2009
Place: St Mary-on-the-Quay Church

A Day Out to Wells & Glastonbury - "One Heart Many Faces"- Young Adult Prayer Group

2009-06-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Activities:

• 9am: Mass at St Mary – on-the-Quay.

• 10.15 am: Bristol bus station - Bus 376 to Wells. ( The town & the well known Wells Cathedral).

• 1.15 pm: Wells bus station - Bus 376 to Glastonbury (The town, the Abbey, Our Lady of St Mary Glastonbury, and Glastonbury Tor).

• Around 6.30pm: Back to Bristol.

Photos:

Album I: Wells & Glastonbury - Taken by Nilora

Album II: Glastonbury II - Taken by Karol Kesicki

The Baptism of Kristian Andrew M.

2009-06-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

Please click the album to see more photos:

The Baptism of Kristian Andrew M.

Photo: Jaime's collection
Date of Baptism: 6th of June 2009
Place: St Mary-on-the-Quay

"One Heart Many Faces"- A Day Out to Blaise Castle, Bristol

2009-05-31T17:31:00.000-07:00

I rejoiced when I heard them say:

Let us go to God's house.

And now our feet are standing

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:

Peace be to your homes!

May peace reign in your walls,

in your palaces, peace!

For love of family and friends

I say: "Peace upon you."

For love of the house of the Lord

I will ask for your good.

(Psalm 121{122})

Activity: A Day out to Blaise Castle- "One Heart Many Faces" (Young adults prayer group).
Date: Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May 2009
Place: Blaise Castle, Bristol.
Photos: Taken by Nilora.

The Baptism of Benjamin Paul R.

2009-05-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

Date: 23rd of May 2009 at 3pm
Place: St Mary-on-the-Quay Church
Photos taken by Nilora.

Young Adult Prayer Group- "One Heart Many Faces"

2009-05-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

“… Prayer is incredibly fruitful. It leads to an encounter with the source of life – Jesus Christ – and, as such, lovingly transforms our vision of ourselves and those around us.”

“Prayer also helps us to discover inner beauty which isn’t something that’s always appreciated in today’s culture.”

If you want to make a difference why not come along to our young adult prayer group? We meet regularly every Saturday at 7.30pm at St Mary-on-the-Quay Church. The young adult prayer group “seeks to provide a peaceful space in which we can enjoy fellowship and pursue truth with honest questioning. This is a time set aside for young adults to gather and worship God together through prayer and music” and to socialise with friends from different nationalities and backgrounds. “One heart many faces”.

For more information please contact Fr Nico on 117 926 4702; Email: parish@stmary-on-the-quay.com or contact Ewa Szczepanek; Email: es6248@bristol.ac.uk

Useful links:

The Easter Feast

2009-04-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

After the Easter Vigil service on Easter Saturday night, Fr. Nico invited the “helpers” into the Middle Hall for a little refreshments. Wow, the tables were most beautifully decorated with vases of handmade (by Fr. Casimir and, maybe his busy elves?) colourful chickens and eggs on lollipop sticks, all in the Polish tradition. Fr. Casimir introduced the Polish tradition with a blessing of the food.

We were all encouraged to taste the Polish food. To start off we were led to a large tray filled with several items of food with their Easter symbolisms:

Colourful eggs - reflected the new life in the risen Christ.
Dish of salt- (to accompany the sausages and eggs) - symbolised the risen Christ
Horseradish – bitterness, resembling the sorrowful passion of Christ.
Sausages- showing the generosity of Jesus Christ.
Bread - a symbol of the Bread of Life.

Father Casimir had cooked over 4 days the delicately favoured Bigos, the traditional Polish sauerkraut stew with Polish sausage, meat and cabbage served with Polish bread. Most of us tried out this dish, it went down well with a glass of wine and we tasted the most delicious cakes, again mostly baked by Fr. Casimir, our resident chef and his band of merry elves!

At the end of a most enjoyable evening surprisingly enough we had a lot of food leftover and Bill, Daniel, and “the gang” kindly took these over to the Julian Trust Homeless Shelter. Thank you to Fr. Casimir, Averil, Nicole, and all the helpers for their part in preparing the evening and to Mary, Reggie, Gabriel, George, and Airam for all the clearing and washing up!!

Thank you Fr. Nico, Fr. Rudy and Fr. Casimir for being here for us at St Mary’s and to all the many helpers who have given St. Mary-on-the-Quay a helping hand with a big smile!! (By Guay Tan)

Easter Vigil at St Mary-on- the- Quay 2009

2009-04-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

On Holy Saturday evening, 11 April 2009 at 8pm, our congregation at St-Mary-on-the-Quay gathered together for the Easter Vigil, celebrated by our Parish Priest, Father Nico accompanied by Fr Rudy and Fr Casimir.

In the stillness of the night where darkness surrounded the Church, how far that Pascal Candle once lit, throws its beam and so the church felt the warmth and light of all our candles. In the candlelight the exultet was sung to the highest exultation and we felt the Resurrection of Christ in our hearts. The Soloists sang with their hearts and raised our voices to our risen Christ. It was the most beautiful liturgy as we experienced the Light of the Pascal Candle, the Liturgy of the Word with the meaningful Readings. The Liturgy of Baptism was celebrated with the baptism and confirmation of Guay Tan into the family of the Church amid the choir and congregation singing the beautiful Litany of the Saints. With the sprinkling of the holy water we too felt healed and ready for the Liturgy of the Eucharist as we go forward with Christ’s Resurrection and a renewed fervour of faith.

We felt grateful to Helen Jacobs who conducted the choir so brilliantly. Many thanks to all the Soloists whose beautiful voices raised our hearts: Kevin Hollis, Lisa Mason, Gabriel Pamintuan, Heidi Hollis, Mauro Siragusa, Michael Sarr and Evie Marcus. Father Michael would have smiled down on us that Easter vigil night! (By May Timms)

The Divine Mercy Novena

2009-04-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

As a preparation for the Divine Mercy Sunday, the Divine Mercy Novena will be held at St Mary’s after the 12.15pm Mass. During the novena, we pray “the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy”.

DAY 1 (Good Friday after 3pm Service) - All mankind, especially sinners
DAY 2 (Holy Saturday at 3pm) - The souls of priests and religious
DAY 3 (Easter Sunday after 11am Mass) - All devout and faithful souls
DAY 4 (Easter Monday after 12.15 Mass) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him
DAY 5 (Easter Tuesday after 12.15 Mass) - The souls of separated brethren
DAY 6 (Easter Wednesday after 12.15 Mass) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children
DAY 7 (Easter Thursday after 12.15 Mass) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy
DAY 8 (Easter Friday after 12.15 Mass) - The souls who are detained in purgatory
DAY 9 (Easter Saturday after 12.15 Mass) – The souls who have become lukewarm.

All are welcome!

On the Divine Mercy Sunday, 19th of April, The Divine Mercy devotion will be held at St Mary-on-the-Quay at 3.00pm with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Photos: By nilora , The Divine Mercy Novena at SMQ

The Tomb of Jesus - Holy Week

2009-04-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Drawing Closer to Jesus - A Day Retreat to Woodchester (28th March 2009)

2009-03-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

The SVP once again graciously organised a day out for us, this time a Lenten retreat with the theme ‘Drawing closer to Jesus’ in the most peaceful setting of the Convent of the Poor Clares, Woodchester.

Having been warned that the narrow country lane leading to the Convent could only accommodate a small minibus, the driver carefully plodded along to the directional sound of Adrian’s built in satnav which logically enough brought us to the convent gates- were we glad that there was no oncoming vehicle!

Stepping into the warmth of the beautifully maintained Convent, Caroline who led the Retreat, welcomed us with coffee and biscuits which went down very well! Our meeting room was bright and cosy. Drawing our attention to the picture of Jesus washing Peter’s feet helped to remind us to give in totally all our fears to Jesus, in order that we could receive the healing, purifying mercy of God.

A fitting end to our day was to spend time with Our Blessed Lord in the chapel with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This was followed by Mass. Fr.’s homily was based on John 3:16. This was illustrated most poignantly by the man who in saving a bus-load of factory workers fatally hit a little boy. When asked why he did not sound the horn, he replied, “I could but I know it wouldn’t work because he was deaf, he was my son.” “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE”.

As a small group, Fr. Casimir invited us to gather around The Lord’s Table for the Eucharistic Prayer, lifting up and joining our hands for The Our Father. The closeness to Jesus and to each other was felt. The Mass ended with a special blessing from Fr. Casimir with his Mission Cross. The day has given us greater strength to love God and our neighbour.

Thanks to Caroline for leading the retreat, the Sisters of the Poor Clares for the use of a quiet and most appropriate venue, Fr. Casimir for spending the day with us and celebrating Mass, and not least to Adrian for organising the day out. (By Guay Tan)

Photos:

a). Photos at St Mary's taken by Nilora.

b). Photos at Woodchester taken by fr. Casimir

Civic Interfaith Celebration 18th March 09

2009-03-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

This year our theme is "Spirit of Service: Working together for Justice and Peace" The evening is presided over by the Lord Mayor of Bristol and the Lady Mayoress. It is an evening of readings, prayers, music, dance and sacred songs, reflecting the teachings of faith communities about what we share in common, on the different paths we take. It is followed by an informal meeting over a light buffet.

This celebration takes place every year and for many years , and as a member of Bristol Interfaith, I feel privileged and honoured to be part of it and more privileged and happy as our brothers and sisters from far away places, the Filipinos, who are members of St Mary on the Quay's congregation, honoured us with their presence and their wonderful music and dance. Their performance was the crowning glory as it happened at the end. We could have watched them over and over. They were excellent and very much appreciated and praised. As I said before they are not only good at serving Mass but they have hidden talents too.

They oozed confidence and they were happy to be there. It was a breath of fresh air from those far away shores!

I would also like to say a special thank you to Vivian who in her introduction, explained very clearly what the dances were about and her Catholic faith and St Mary on the Quay. I must not forget to thank all the ladies who taught the intricate steps of the dance to the children. It was a fantastic success and my heartfelt thanks to all of them.

(By Marie Hackett, member of Bristol Interfaith and Bristol Multifaith Forum)
Photos: Taken By Fr. Kazimierz

All for Love of You

2009-03-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

Whilst meditating on the Word and searching for God in prayer I felt inspired to draw.

This image of the Face of Jesus emerged it seemed from out of no-where, revealing to me an intimate encounter with Christ on the road to Calvary.....and His gaze spoke lovingly to me .......it's "All for love of you" (Geraldine Farrell)

Picture for Lent by Geraldine Farrell

A Polish Night

2009-03-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

On 11th March at the invitation of the Polish Society of Bristol University, we (Fr. Nico, Fr. Casimir and I) attended the Polish night at the Bristol University International Student Union in Clifton.

This was certainly a night to remember, with the Polish students showing hospitality to their international friends with a delicious variety of Polish food. The main course included ‘Bigos’ a traditional seasoned “hunter” stew made from sauerkraut with chunks of various appetizing meats and sausages. This was followed by a short talk accompanied with pictures which gave us an insight of Warsaw, Krakow and Masuria.

The evening finished with most entertaining Polish music. Much credit must be given to Ella, a very accomplished guitarist. Fr. Casimir, Amelia and Ewa contributed to the guitar solos joined in wholeheartedly by the audience.

(By Guay Tan)

Father Nico's Induction as Parish Priest

2009-03-02T16:30:00.000-08:00

"A full Church and beautiful music greeted the Induction of Father Nico, when he was inducted as the 29th Parish Priest of St Mary on the Quay, by Father Michael Fountaine,the Dean of South Bristol, on Sunday 22nd February.

Big number of worshippers attended the 5.15 mass. The church had been elegantly decorated with flowers. Singing was lead by the combined church choirs together with groups from Filipino and Indonesian community.

After the Mass an inviting buffet of refreshments were generously provided by parishioners, including some homemade delicious cakes.

There was a festive air, with the many children who had attended the Mass playing together in the Church Hall and the newly inducted Parish Priest resplendent in a new sportscoat.

It was a memorable day and we all wish Father Nico well for the future as Parish Priest, following the sad loss of Father Michael Cleary in October 2008." (Bill Barlow)

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"Last Sunday, February 22nd, there was a ceremony of induction of our colleague Fr. Nicodemus Lobo Ratu as parish priest of St Mary on the Quay Bristol. It was for me a very moving ceremony as I looked around the church at people from so many different parts of the world who were part of that parish community. The choirs who participated in the ceremony were from Britain, The Philippines, and Indonesia. And just before the final blessing Nico spoke and thanked the people, and he did so in Tagalog, Indonesian and English. Our SVD confreres who live and minister at St. Mary on the Quay are from Indonesia, Philippines and Poland. A number of the local clergy were also present, as well as many of the S.Sp.S.

... Let us continue to remember to pray for and support our confreres in Bristol and in our other communities. ..." (Fr. Brian O'Reilly, the provincial of the Irish-British Province of the Society of the Divine Word).

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"My personal thanks to all who made the Induction ceremony so enjoyable, memorable, and significant. It was for me a very moving ceremony. Thank you for supporting me, sharing the celebration, and being part of my special day. I truly hope that we may work together hand-in-hand for the good of our church & our community". (frnicosvd)

Photos: Taken By Joey Hongganata

Reminiscence: The Wayside Halt

2009-02-17T16:16:00.000-08:00

By Marion Morgan

Do any readers remember the Wayside Halt, in the seventies? This was in the years just before the presbytery and old school buildings were sold to the Housing Association. If you came out of the presbytery in Trenchard Street and went through the garden, you then crossed the old playground and went up some steps to the car parking area at the higher level, before eventually coming out again on Lower Park Row. Between the two flat areas connected by the steps there was a wall and a lean-to shed.

With the support of the parish priest, Fr Norbury SJ, we had the bright idea of making this into a serving and sit-down area for the many men and women of the road who passed through and rang the doorbell for tea and a sandwich. So from 2.0 until 4.0 every weekday, members of our parish, with help from some ladies from St Bonaventure’s and elsewhere, served all comers.

In the winter we served soup as well, kindly made by Mrs Marks the housekeeper. We often had as many as 20 people in an afternoon: I still recognise some of them walking around in Bristol.

One of the most moving moments of my life was when we organised a Christmas Dinner for them in the old St Joseph’s Chapel. Mrs Marks cooked the turkey and vegetables which we had prepared and we carried it across the yard. We had a short service of a carol or two and a reading about the shepherds coming to the manger. This was read by one of the vagrants. It had never meant more to me.

Eventually the Wayside Halt was closed down, but by this time the Cyrenians had opened up a proper day centre so there was no more need for it. But I have fond memories of cold and draughty afternoons in the otherwise fuggy warmth of the Wayside Halt.

Welcome to Fr. Kazimierz Szalaj SVD

2009-01-25T17:39:00.000-08:00

We are very happy to welcome our confrere Fr. Kazimierz Szalaj SVD to St Mary-on-the-Quay. He is usually called “Father Casimir”. He is from Karolewo, in the North East of Poland, and will be staying with the SVD Community. We hope that his time with us will be blessed by the Lord.

International Carol Service

2009-01-10T03:19:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to St Mary-on-the-Quay’s children’s group and Filipino music group, both of whom represented the parish in the International Carol Service at St Bonaventure’s Church and gave accomplished and enjoyable performances. Special thanks to Lisa, Helen & Simon who have done amazing job to train the children patiently. Thanks also to members of our parish community who came to give their support at this event.

A Week in Water Buffalo Country

2009-01-09T02:47:00.000-08:00

(John Prior reflects on his trip to Indonesia)

I had never been to a water-buffalo market before. Yes, we have a few surviving buffalos on Flores, and many more wallowing in the mud on neighbouring Sumba isle, but nothing to compare to Tana Toraja in southern Sulawesi on market day. I counted over two hundred of the beasts. They were selling at astronomical prices too – from a mere seven million rupiahs (AUD 929) for a baby to 150 million (AUD 19,905) for a prize beast with 70 million (AUD 9,286) as average. Beside the buffalos were the pigs – also in their hundreds, tied onto bamboo mats or singly onto bamboo poles as they raced down the road as pavilion passengers on the back of motor cycles. No wonder Tana Toraja is tied to Bali as one of the “must see” tourist spots of Indonesia. And I haven’t mentioned the photogenic ancestors’ graves hanging precariously off cliff sides.

I wasn’t quite the tourist, though. Some 131 pastors of the Toraja Protestant Church were at a two-week ongoing formation workshop (15-29 September 2008) for those ordained during the past five years. Over 50% of the ordained pastors are women. I was invited to accompany them for much of the first week.

Protestant pastors live more simple lives than their Catholic colleagues. Married with children and 100% dependent on their small congregations for their livelihood, unsurprisingly some were not given permission to attend by the local congregation who had to find the cost of travel and accommodation from their slender resources.

We began each morning at 5:30 with lectio divina in contemplative mode. While the pastors were professional students of the bible and able preachers, very few had prayed the scriptures meditatively. Some were very struck by the morning exercises, mostly the women. (Overuse of the bible to instruct and advise, I expect.)

I took the pastors through the “pastoral circle”. First they identified key experiences that give rise to fundamental questions; then they undertook a social-cultural analysis of the issues raised. This analysis was then correlated with their faith tradition and theology; social analysis sharpens our biblical insights while our biblical faith gives meaning to the social issues. This process then challenges them to take a stand, a clear option, which in turn should lead to our identifying further key issues and so the pastoral cycle or spiral continues. In a congregation the pastor positions her/himself as facilitator of the process. In the workshop most of this work was done in ten groups as we engaged in “doing theology” contextually.

How many of the pastors will be willing to give up full-time “routine” pastoral work to engage the elders and people in the “pastoral circle” remains to be seen. Many of them honestly stated that when they are 100% financially dependent upon the congregation, they are inclined to please the “sponsors” rather than lead them to question, probe and critique which process might well put one’s livelihood on the line. What freedom we Catholic clergy have, if only …

The singing was fantastic; all in local Torajan melodies, many in the local tongue. In Tiku Rari the church has a first rate musician and composer. The workshop was run by the “Institut Teologi” – a centre for ongoing formation run by Pastor Ery Hutabarat-Lebang. She is the daughter of one of the first locally ordained pastors. Her father had just primary schooling and was ordained at the age of 16 after a crash course in theology during the Japanese occupation (1942-45) when the Dutch missioners were interned. (The Catholic Church was run by village catechists during the occupation; when the Dutch priests returned they reverted to their previous subservient role.) His daughter has a doctorate in theology from the USA and spent ten years in Hong Kong coordinating theological education for the Asian Churches. Such is the leap made by the church, as also by the country, within a short generation.

In Indonesia old labels are confusing. This is meant to be a “Calvinist” Church and yet they invite a Catholic priest to update their pastors. On Sunday I joined in one congregation who were celebrating a harvest festival (they celebrate harvests three times a year!); I have never returned from a Catholic Sunday liturgy, even in alcohol-drenched Flores, with my belly full of potent palm wine (tuak putih). However much Rome is reaffirming “Catholic” identity and attempting to “re-Hellenise” our theology, Protestant-Catholic distinctiveness is dissipating at the grassroots. Deo gratias.

John Prior svd

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

2009-01-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

Fr Jiji: Farewell and congratulations to Fr Jiji who leaves us on Tuesday to return to Taiwan after successfully completing his studies at Bristol University. He will be greatly missed not only by us but also by the Indian community around the diocese for whom he has regularly celebrated Mass in the Syro-Malabar Rite. We wish him every blessing in the future.

International Carol Service: This event at St Bonaventure's Church, Bishopston at 7.00 pm this Friday 9th January will include contributions from two of our SMQ Parish groups: our children's group and also the Filipino music group. Please come along if you can to support them and enjoy music from Bristol's international communities followed by refreshments. The church is at the top of Egerton Road, Bishopston (entry to the car-park is via Berkeley Road).

Sunday Bulletin: Third week of Ordinary Time (B)

2009-01-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

Induction: The date of Fr. Nico’s Induction as Parish Priest of St Mary-on-the-Quay has been set for Sunday 22nd February. It will take place at the 5.15pm Mass. The induction will be led by Dean of Bristol South, Rev Michael Fountaine. The provincial of the Irish-British Province of the Society of the Divine Word, Fr. Brian O’Reilly, will be present for the celebration. All are welcome.

St Joseph Freinademetz: Thursday 29th of February at 12.15pm Mass, we celebrate the feast of St Joseph Freinademetz. He was born in Oies, South Tyrol, on April 15, 1852. He joined the Society of the Divine Word in 1878. Saint Arnold commissioned him to China in 1879. He worked in Hong Kong and South Shantung as a pioneer founder of new Christian communities. After 30 years of ministry in China, Joseph died of typhus he contracted while ministering to the sick. “I am more Chinese than Tyrolese, and I want to be Chinese in heaven also.” – St. Joseph Freinademetz

Clifton Diocese Newsletter: Please sign up for this useful round-up of news, views, events and other information from around our diocese. It is easy to do, just go to our website www.cliftondiocese.com and register your email address. The newsletter links readers to our website which publishes news about life in our diocese. Please also contribute your news of local Catholic life to our award-winning website.

News from Saint Brendan’s College: “An Open Evening is being held at Saint Brendan’s College on 4th February 2009 from 6pm-8pm, offering advice and guidance about further education courses at the College starting September 2009. All are welcome; no appointments are necessary. Telephone 0117 903 9967 for further details.”

LESANG BANA CARE CENTRE, BOTSWANA

2008-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

The grand opening ceremony of Lesang Bana Care Centre (Library, Multi Purpose Hall and Kitchen Building Project) took place on 2 December 2008 in Metsimotlhabe, Gaborone. It was coordinated and implemented by Lions Club of Gaborone and funded by OSC USA. The center provides an atmosphere of care and love where every child particularly orphan and vulnerable child has access to get the best possible start in life and together with members of society strives to build a community fit for all children.

The official opening of the centre was performed by His Lordship Bishop Boniface Setlalekgosi of Gaborone and Lieutenant Colonel William M. Wyatt. Aims of the centre include expansion of knowledge of the local community to the reduction and prevention of HIV and AIDS, and holistic growth programs for orphans and vulnerable children. Kudos to Fr. Tony Rebello and Marcos Kuhnen our OTP, for their humanitarian work and for seeing this project through! (Reported in Word Aflame, SVD Botswana Province, December 2008. Photos by Fr. Tony Rebello SVD).

Reminiscence: Fr Waterhouse SJ at 5.30pm Mass

2008-12-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

By Marion Morgan

What I love about St Mary-on-the-Quay is the way that when odd things happen, everyone simply carries on regardless.

I remember being at the 5.30 Mass one evening. Fr Waterhouse SJ was celebrating. It was a shocking night - wind and rain beating against the windows and everyone in damp clothes. It was fortunate, as it turned out, that the congregation was fairly small.

Just before the Consecration, an odd noise came from the ceiling about four pews from the front on the far left hand aisle. As I say, it was fortunate no-one was sitting there, as a section of the ceiling detached itself and crashed down in a cloud of dust, debris, and water.

Fr Waterhouse looked up, as we all did, saw there was nothing immediate that anyone could do and that no-one had been hurt and continued almost without a pause with the celebration.