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

Lenten Reflections

2010-01-30T14:21:00.000-08:00

Please click the picture for larger image.

Restoration of the Altars

2010-01-24T03:46:00.000-08:00

We are delighted to have Vanessa Webb back with us to restore the three altars in the church. Vanessa designed and stencil-painted (with a previous colleague) the back drop to the main altar back in the late 80’s at the request of Fr Maher SJ. She will now be restoring it to its former glory following damage by damp, using the same design of celestial blue and gold bunches of grapes.

Vanessa, who is based in Bristol, has extensive experience of restoring antique paintwork and gilding. Among other projects, she has worked on the Manor House, Uphill Manor, at Weston-super-Mare, restoring stencilling from the 1860’s. This work has been done previously by Crace and Son, decorators to royalty for three generations.

She said: “I do not like to paint over antique painting that is good. I like to work with the old decoration, enhancing its beauty and picking out significant features, reinstating only what is damaged.”

She has highlighted all the gold paintwork in our Italianate main back altar, and redefined the edges and the shape where the stonework was chipped. She has been right up to the top of the dome, even restoring the gold within the cupola. The ‘piece de resistance’ is the pelican over the tabernacle, which she rightly regards as the main feature of the altar. This has been completely re-gilded so it reflects the light.
She has also redone the gold at the base of the pillars. Moving on to the Lady Chapel, she will once again restore the paintwork and highlight the gold, as well as clean the statue itself. She has repainted the gold panels at the base of the altar originally done by Kevin Boyle , and restore the blue edging. Finally, she will re-gild and paint the Sacred Heart altar and clean up the statue.

She said: “St Mary’s is my favourite Bristol church and has been since I worked here in the 1980’s. Someone came up to me then and said ‘Thank you for making our church the prettiest in Bristol’ and I really appreciated that remark. It is really my pleasure to work here: I love the church and I love the work.” She hopes to finish in the early part of 2010. For further details of Vanessa Webb’s work, see her website: www.stunningfx.co.uk (Marion Morgan)

Three Months in Exile

2010-01-24T03:39:00.000-08:00

As the main Church building closed for the redecoration, we moved to the Hall for all Masses. We soon got used to going in by the side door and through the Crypt corridor, finding the Hall looking remarkably like a church. The altar had been put on the platform, with the St Damiano crucifix above it; a tabernacle was in the corner one side and the hymn board on the other. There was even the small font there.

The musicians took their place at the back, with an electronic keyboard which played either as an organ or a piano, according to the preference of the organist.

There were pluses and minuses to this arrangement. On the positive side, there was a good feeling of warmth and companionship as we pushed together on the chairs to make room for everyone. On the more negative side, we missed the statues and the candles (too much of a fire hazard in the squash) and there was a certain confusion getting everyone seated, especially as the back chairs always seemed to fill up first! Embarrassed members of the congregation arriving half way through the Mass were escorted to seats right at the front. Kneeling down was out of the question.

The organist could not see the celebrant when the congregation were standing, and sometimes had to guess when to come in.

On top of all this, we were still going through the swine flu restrictions: no chalice and just a nod at the Sign of Peace.

All in all, although we were grateful to have had such a good place in which to worship as a temporary measure, it felt like a real return from exile when we at last returned to the main Church on the second Sunday of Advent. Phew!

(Marion Morgan)

SVP Sponsored Walk - Bristol to Bath

2009-10-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

In the fund raising spirit the SVP at St. Mary-on-the-Quay decided to embark on their little sponsored walk on 10th October along the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, which was constructed on the bed of the former Midland Railway by cycling charity Sustrans between 1979 and 1986. The Path is a three metre wide tarmaced surface from end to end.

To the veteran walkers 15 miles may sound an easy task but to some of us this was a first time challenge! Armed with our water bottles and jolly spirit, Adrian and I were supported by Fr. Nico and Geraldine.

For a Saturday in October gleaming with sunshine throughout our journey from St. Mary’s to Bath, we heartily sang to iron out the miles. Adrian generously adjusted his walk to our snail pace, enjoying the abundance of myriad coloured autumn leaves on the trees and the symphony of birdsong.

We eventually stopped at ‘The Jolly Sailor’ pub in Saltford for our afternoon tea, more appropriately our lunch and a much needed two-hour rest, especially for Fr. Nico who had bravely soldiered on despite having been in agony with his knee playing up. Thankfully Geraldine put on her ‘nurse’ hat and kindly brought the ice to the rescue at the pub!

Please click the album to see more photos:

SVP Sponsored Walk

Well, we made it and achieved a creditable contribution to the Redecoration fund at St. Mary’s. The SVP would like to say a big thank you to all our friends at St. Mary’s who encouraged and supported us so generously. (Guay Tan)

The St Mary's Paintings (History 1)

2009-10-08T01:48:00.000-07:00

With building work nearing completion the decoration well under way, it seemed the appropriate time to do something about three large paintings in the gallery. As the large central painting had been damaged by the building workers during repairs to the gallery, Bill Mercer decided to arrange for its restoration and it was taken down and sent to Alexander Galleries, in Whiteladies Road.

The other two were later removed by decorators and brought into the sacristy. The picture of Our Lady is a late 19th century copy of a painting by Murillo, a late 17th century Spanish artist- the original was on display in London recently. The painting of the Infant Christ with St. Joseph is a work of the late 19th century and although not a copy of an earlier painting is of very poor quality.

With the central picture away, I started on the other two. After cleaning off much dirt and old varnish, I was able to see their general condition. Both paintings have been badly treated in the past – much of the foreground of St. Joseph had been erased and had been touched in with black household paint. This I removed and retouched the missing grass and rocks in more suitable colours.

The painting of our Lady was in a similar state, but in addition the copyist had painted only the main figure and attending cherubs. He had not put in the sky background that is in the original. Had the background been a lighter shade of grey, and not partly erased, I would have been content, but the figure of our Lady was lost in this messy background so I decided to paint in the missing sky. I had to work fast as the decorators were ready to re-hang them and had already painted the frames for them. It is not the usual thing to add to another artist’s work, but as this one was only a poor quality studio copy, and the original having a sky, I decided that it would be a visual improvement.

Of the three paintings, the large central one has responded best to cleaning. The lighter colours are purer and it is of better quality than the other two. All three pictures are probably the work of an Italian studio, where artists of varying skills would produce pictures for 19th century tourists to send home to their churches. Due to their size and subject, this kind of painting has little commercial value.

(Charles Knott, Parish Magazine, “A.M.D.G. ST. MARY-ON-THE-QUAY BRISTOL”, Vol. 32 No. 9, September 1983, pp. 1 & 15).

Mass in the Parish Hall

2009-09-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Since Friday’s evening Mass, 11 September, all Masses have been celebrated in the parish hall.

Please note that:

• The Blessed Sacrament will not be reserved in the hall.

• The entry and exit will be through the door near the lift.

• Sunday morning coffee will continue to be served in the middle hall and those attending will be have to leave through the presbytery front door.

• On weekdays the hall will be opened at 11.30am in time for confessions (in the crib) and closed following the rosary after Mass.

Please click the album of "the Mass in the Parish Hall" to see more photos:

Mass in the Parish Hall

The Re-decoration of the Church

2009-09-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Please click the album to see more photos:

The Re-decoration of the Church

Photos: Taken by Nilora
Date: September 2009

Dates for your diary ...

2009-09-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

6 February: A Day With Mary.

12 February -19 March: Lenten Reflections. The following Prayer and Reflection talks will be guided by *Mr Bill Flint. MA; Parishioner, author and writer. The meetings will Start @ 7.30pm on the following dates and will be concluding circa 9.30pm

Friday 12th February, 2010

Friday 19th February 2010

Friday 26th February 2010

Friday 12th March 2010

Friday 19th March 2010

These reflections are focused solely on the Scripture readings which are part of Cycle B and they are aimed at enabling all the Lenten pilgrims in Bristol to follow Our Lord Jesus Christ on his journey of our Salvation to the Cross and His resurrection. It is fervently hoped that all Christians will join us in these spiritual reflections based on the readings and texts taken from.

The Old Testament, The Psalms. The letters of the New Testament and the Gospels of Good News of Jesus Christ.

[They will be taken from The New Jerusalem Bible texts.]

---------------------------

* Bill Flint is a graduate of the Maryvale Papal Institute, the first home of Cardinal Newman at what was then his Birmingham Oratory. He is a scholar and expert on the Gospel of John. His dissertation study of The Song of Songs is well known and considered most valuable for all who are studying the great Love Song of the psalms.

For fourteen years he delivered a series of biblical study courses in the Diocese and beyond. He published in September a study of Saint Therese of Lisieux.

The Lenten reflections are written for the ordinary Christian pilgrim following Jesus through Lent.

The meetngs will be informal in character and will follow and include prayer and reflective discussion.

1 April: Holy Thursday:

• The Sacrament of Reconciliation (“Confessions”) 12noon to 1pm.

• Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 8pm followed by Adoration at the Altar of Repose until Midnight. During this time there will be an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2 April: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion:

• Station of the Cross at 11 am.

• 3pm: Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion with Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

3 April: Holy Saturday:

• 10am: Office of Readings (“Matins”) with Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.

• 8pm: The Easter Vigil with the First Easter Mass.

4 April: Easter Sunday:

• Mass at St James’ Priory at 8am

• Parish Mass at 9:30am.

• Solemn Mass at 11am.

• Emmaus Mass at 5:15pm.

4-11 April: Divine Mercy Novena: As a preparation for the Divine Mercy Sunday, the Divine Mercy Novena will be held after the 12.15pm Mass. During the novena, we pray “the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy”.

11 April: Divine Mercy Sunday: The Divine Mercy devotion will be held here at 3.00pm with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and an opportunity for the sacrament of Reconciliation.

28 October: Confirmation Mass at 7pm.

The Bishop will administer the sacrament of Confirmation in St Mary’s on Thursday, 28th October 2010. Will those wishing to receive this sacrament, please have a word with any of the priests.

Leigh Woods Walk - Young Adult Prayer Group

2009-08-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

We were a very multi-cultural group who met after the lunch time Mass, at St Mary on the Quay, and walked up to the Clifton Suspension Bridge on Saturday 22nd August. There were: Lenka from the Czech Republic, Julia and Maria from Spain, Fr Nico and Sr Ernestin from Indonesia, Sr Lisi from India, Fr Kazimierz from Poland, as well as Ben and John; the only two born in England!

While admiring Isambard Kingdom Brunel's beautiful bridge and the equally beautiful views of the Avon Gorge, we enjoyed our ice creams. We posed for a few photos by the bridge, which was opened in 1864. We then crossed it and began our descent back down to the city through the Leigh Woods. There were plenty of opportunities to pick blackberries, walking through the woods, before we stopped for lunch and prayer with some Taize chants.

We continued to walk down towards the docks. There we stopped for a well earned drink at the pub and admired the now very picturesque harbour. We chose to take a ferry back to the city centre. This provided an opportunity to both relax and admire another of Brunel's masterpieces: the SS Great Britain, now in the original Great Western Dock, where she was built in 1843. After getting out at the City Centre Fr Kazimierz and Sr Ernestin very wisely cooled off from the walk by washing their feet in the fountain!!' (John Nicolaides)

Click the album to see more photos:

Leigh Woods Walk - Young Adult Prayer Group

Date: 22nd of August 2009
Photos: Taken by Nilora

The Consecration of Marion Morgan

2009-08-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Feast of St Ignatius, 31st July, was a very special day for me this year as, during the evening Mass at St Mary-on-the-Quay, I was consecrated by Bishop Declan. This makes me a member of the Order of Consecrated Virgins.

I first made private vows to a priest in 1974, although the very private commitment in prayer was 5 years earlier. Now, 40 years later, I was able to renew this commitment publicly in a way which is recognised formally by the Church.

It is like the profession of a religious sister, except that the religious community to which she is committed is the parish and the Diocese.

And it is the friendship and the support of the parish and the Diocese that is one of my abiding memories. I felt supported by prayer throughout my preparation, and particularly during the final weeks. The warmth and kindness of everyone who asked me about it was very moving.

Neighbouring priests came to concelebrate. Our own priests were all there and consistently helpful and supportive. And the other members of the congregation prepared enthusiastically by having choir practices, by seeing the church was clean (not an easy task as we had the electricians in working that week and the dust got everywhere!); and last but not least, preparing a magnificent bring-and-share feast for everyone afterwards. The flowers were special and our MC made sure that the Liturgy ran smoothly.

This occasion was, for me, not just an experience of the great love of God: it was also a very real experience of the active and prayerful love of the community of the church.

A very heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to everyone involved, from

Sr. Marion Morgan OCV (but please, still call me Marion!)

In the early church it gradually became customary for young girls (12 to 15 years) to dedicate themselves to the Church as Virgins. In later centuries, they drew together and became religious orders. After Vat. II, the original Order of Virgins (and the order of Widows) were reintroduced into the Church.

There are currently about 10 Consecrated Virgins (usually know as Consecrated Women) in this Diocese, and about 200 in the UK.

Baptism of Francine Gabrielle M.

2009-07-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

Please click the album to see more photos:

Francine Gabrielle M

Date of Baptism: 26th July 2009
Place: St Mary-on-the-Quay Church
Photos: Taken by Nilora

The Baptism of Harry Edmund AT

2009-07-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Date of Baptism: 4rd July 2009

Place: St Mary-on-the-quay Church.

Photos taken by Nilora.

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

Ewa Szczepanek; Email: ewa.szczepanek@yahoo.co.uk

Ben Townsend; Email: townsendben85@yahoo.co.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