THE SOCIETY OF MARY - North-West Ward of Our Lady of Victories Newsletter

THE SOCIETY OF MARY

North-West Ward of Our Lady of Victories

Newsletter – Advent 2005

FESTIVAL MASS

The Immaculate Conception

Saturday 10th December

at the

Church of the Holy Family, Failsworth, Manchester M35 OQS

12.00 noon Solemn Mass

Homily: Fr. David Morgan

13.30 Festival Lunch

Tickets £5.00, to be booked by Saturday 4th December:

Send cheque payable to the Society of Mary to:

Mrs Sandra Anderson, 181 Tonge Moor Road, Bolton. BL2 2HR

Tel 01204- 383-158

After Dinner speaker: Fr. John Gribben CR

“Vocation – a personal reflection.”

15.00 Vocations Forum: “Any Questions”

will be answered by a panel of clergy.

ALL WELCOME

**Easily accessible from the M60**

Click here for a poster

For other details, directions/map and priests who wish to concelebrate contact:

Fr. Peter McEvitt, Holy Family Rectory
190 Lord Lane, Failsworth, Manchester. M35 OQS
Telephone 0161-681-3644

This event might be helpful to men and women who are considering the ordained ministry, religious life or vocation within their parish context.
They are welcome to attend with their parish priest, family and friends.

FROM THE WARD SECRETARY- R. I. McEwan

Dear Friends,

“Vocation – Vocation”

You did not choose me, said the Lord. But I chose you to go and bear fruit. And your fruit will last.

John 15:16

Most people will agree and every priest can testify to the fact that God calls the most extraordinary people to the sacred ministry! Those of you, who have attended the National Pilgrimage to Walsingham and watched the hundreds of concelebrants process to the Abbey grounds or seen the vast throng of clergy assembled in the Albert Hall this year, will conclude that no profession on earth could claim such an odd collection of human beings. The ordained ministry is so diverse in talent, so varied in background, it is almost impossible to define much common ground in all of them, save the insistence on all their parts that God insisted on the priesthood for them, and the Church of God ratified that call in the sacrament of Ordination.

Our Festival Mass and lunch on 10th December will have as its central theme “Vocation”, and the after dinner speaker Fr. Gribben CR. will reflect on this concept. This event is an occasion which will provide an opportunity for us all to pray for an increase in vocations to the ordained ministry and to the religious life. We already have a good number of men in our Ward who are considering ordination, have embarked on training or recently been ordained. I hope there will be a real spirit of mutual support for all of those individuals who are considering their own ministry within the Church of God at this time. We hope it will provide an opportunity for people to consider how best they can respond to God in their various Christian callings. An event such as this is a modest attempt to foster vocations from within our own churches in the NW, which is vital if we are to have a future as Catholic Christians. I hope all of you who care about the future of the Church will encourage men and women from your parish to attend our Festival.

Looking Back

This year the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC) celebrated its 150th Anniversary. It was an opportunity to visit some old acquaintances and look again at those great heroes of the Faith such as Fr. Lowder (S. Peter’s London Docks) and Fr. Mackonochie (S. Alban’s Holborn), who were indeed “giants in the land.” I was brought up on the legend of the Anglo-Catholic slum priest and most of my religious life has been spent working and worshipping in the shadows of great churches where we have sought to sustain the “full catholic privileges” and the autonomy and integrity won for us (often at great personal cost) by the Fathers of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England. However, men of their stature seem to be in short supply today and we are in urgent need of priests with a great degree of courage and the necessary skills to provide high quality ministry to a world which is neither deferential or easily won over to the things of God. The young in particular are quick to see through the superficial and the shallow. Yes, we have had a glorious past (though our tradition does have its fair share of over statement and mythology) but we cannot dine out on that story forever, as it becomes vain self indulgence and bears no reality to the situation we now find ourselves today.

Looking Forward

It is always risky to write about the future, but if we are indeed to have a future at all it will depend on Anglo-Catholicism manifesting strong and affirming (dare I use that word?) qualities. The kind of qualities I mean are the same ones which, from the early days of the Tractarians onward, attracted to its ranks men and women in search of a fuller expression of Christian Faith. I am myself one of those who felt this attraction and have responded with enthusiasm, and yet I am bound to confess that I have experienced (not least in the Diocese of Manchester) periods of grave doubt and disillusionment. This is because in recent times Anglo-Catholicism (and our leaders) has so often failed the people and the parishes they professed to serve. Its expression has too often been negative, destructive and its great treasures (pastoral care, quality of preaching and teaching and liturgy to name but a few) have been trashed by those very people who professed to cherish its ideals. All of you will have experienced this to a greater or lesser degree.

Affirmation

What are some of these affirmative qualities that have characterized the Anglo-Catholic tradition and to which many people (myself included) have, in the traditional expression, “owed our souls”?

First among them is Eucharistic worship, done with a great deal of reverence and dignity. Let us confess that many of us came to the Catholic Faith because we were deeply moved by the drama of the Mass, performed with an emphasis on mystery, and we were drawn into a world which was mysterious and we experienced a sense of the numinous. At its best, good liturgy instils awareness both of God’s transcendent greatness and his intimate closeness to us in the sacraments. We now have the challenge before us of using the new rites which are presented in such away, that people’s hearts continue to be lifted up to God and that they know the meaning of adoration. Yet it must be admitted that in many churches the liturgy fails to inspire and nourish as it should. We may be thankful that Anglo-Catholics have contributed so much to raising the awareness that good liturgy is both our duty and our joy, but unfortunately there has been a general decline in the standard of worship and preaching, where slovenliness and lack of preparation have too frequently masqueraded as modern informality.

Holiness

Next among the attractions of Anglo-Catholicism that could still be powerful in the future, is personal holiness. The leaders of the Movement Keble, Newman and Pusey were men of transparent holiness of life who were prepared to make sacrifices for God. Their call to holiness therefore carried conviction and alongside their scholarship went personal training in the Christian life. It was encapsulated in a regular life of divine office, daily mass and personal prayer. Spiritual direction, so vital for Christian growth, began to be practiced and taught. Catholic disciplines were recovered, taught and widely practiced; meditation and mental prayer; forms of fasting and abstinence did not fall on deaf ears; the practice of a disciplined life with retreats and quiet days; the use of private confession and sacramental absolution. These became the norm within the Catholic tradition in the Anglican churches. Today they are neglected at our peril as they are a powerful means of grace by which Christians become united with Christ.

Dark Places

Let me add a third important characteristic of the Anglo-Catholic tradition lest we think that its aims were all narrowly pietistic. It bore fruit in energetic pastoral work in the parishes, in overseas mission and in a growing concern to translate the theology of the Incarnation into social and political action. The selfless priests and members of religious orders who went into the slums and the dark places of the earth, at home and abroad, to bring the liberating message of the Gospel were fired up by their unique calling – their vocation. Their personal ministry and service was based on the sure foundations of incarnational theology and sacramental worship. We need the continuation of this tradition. As a student I was fortunate that I briefly encountered some elderly men and women who were the product of what I believe now were some of the final flowerings of Anglo Catholic piety. I refer to some of those holy souls who as young men and women had in the 1930’s heard the call of the colonial bishops to go to Central Africa and work as nurses, teachers and missionaries with the UMCA. They took big risks and made very real sacrifices. Their faith was very real and they were people of prayer and devotion. To visit those retired priests, sisters and laypeople in the Cathedral Close at Lincoln in their twilight years, was a privilege and a living parable. To call on them at home was to find them returned from the daily mass, saying morning and evening prayer or preparing to go on a retreat or make their confession. Their holiness and single-minded dedication witnessed to the power and worth of the Catholic religion they espoused. It had nourished them and sustained them through great adventures.

I hope and pray that that glorious tradition is not a spent force, for it is some time since Anglo-Catholics were noted for their social concern or their defence of the underprivileged. There are many in the Anglican Communion who are only too ready to cast away our inheritance. If they are to be resisted, it can only be through a predominantly strong and active witness to the continuing values of Catholic faith and practice. I think that the Society of Mary continues to play a small part in doing that, for it is part of our rule of life and our vocation.

Now, may I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year? May you continue to ask for Our Lady’s prayers and that all our acts of devotion together in the coming year bring us closer to Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

May Our Lady & S. Joseph pray for us all, and may the incarnate Lord, the Babe of Bethlehem, give us His blessing.

Yours sincerely,
Richard McEwan.

The Shepherds’ Farewell

Thou must leave thy lowly dwelling,

The humble crib, the stable bare,

Babe, all mortal babes excelling,

Content our earthly lot to share.

Loving father, loving mother,

Shelter thee with tender care!

Blessed Jesus, we implore thee

With humble love and holy fear,

In the land that lies before thee,

Forget not us who linger here!

May the shepherd’s lowly calling,

Ever to thy heart be dear!

Blest are ye beyond all measure,

Thou happy father, mother mild!

Guard ye well your heavenly treasure,

The Prince of peace, the Holy Child!

God go with you, God protect you,

Guide you safely though the wild!

Guide you safely through the wild!

Words by Paul England(FROM “L’ENFANCE DU CHRIST”OP. 25 by HECTOR BERLIOZ)

RETROSPECT

Our Ward Summer Social Event & AGM

We held our Annual General Meeting and summer party on 24th July at Dunwood House High Crompton. It was a well-attended and happy occasion where seventy members met together in comfortable surroundings with time to chat and meet friends old and new. As always these events involve an enormous amount of hard work. Special thanks must go to Christopher and Andrew our chefs who barbecued and produced some wonderful food, Christopher and Philip for running the bar, Sandra for co-ordinating the sale of the tickets, Howard and Ivor for organising the Raffle and Geraldene, Sandra, Ann, Jean and Michael for the puddings, cheese, fruit etc in the dining room. If you visited that part of the house you will know what treats were there. Special thanks to all the Ward Committee and members who gave such generous prizes for the Raffle.

Amongst our musician friends we were delighted to have Jack Lawton with us at the piano. Alma Dootson sang most beautifully accompanied by her husband Peter. We also had Fr. Shackleton seated at the piano. We were particularly glad to have Father with us this year as his imminent retirement to Kent means we are sadly going to see so much less of him.

We are so fortunate that we have a good number of people who are happy to offer their many talents to the benefit of our Society and in doing so honour our Blessed Lady. To everyone who supported this event and helped in any way our best thanks.

The October Devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham

The Walsingham Festival at S. Augustine’s Tonge Moor was a wonderful event and much enjoyed by us all. S. Augustine’s is such a beautifully appointed church and is particularly significant in that part of the Diocese of Manchester as Bolton is often referred to as the “Geneva of the North”. The church is clearly well loved by its people and they provide a wonderfully warm welcome to visitors.

It was a great joy to have as the preacher Sr. Joan Michael SSM from Walsingham who is a member of the Community of S. Margaret. The splendid refreshments at teatime were in the sumptuous tradition of “Gussies”. To all our friends at S. Augustine’s – our best thanks.

The October Devotion & Northern Festival

A very successful October Devotion was held on 8th October at the Church of S. Agnes & S Pancras, Toxteth Park Liverpool. The day began at 12 noon with the Angelus and a Solemn Concelebrated Mass at which the Chaplain General was the principal Celebrant. One of the many highlights of the day was the wonderful choral music which included the Haydn Missa Brevis “Kleine Orgelsolomesse” and the Elgar “Ave Maria”. After the Mass the people of S. Agnes’ together with Fr. Ian Brooks served a superb lunch in the adjoining hall.

The afternoon service began with the admission of 20 new members to the Society. This was followed by Fr. Prescott, the parish priest of neighbouring S. Cares’s (R.C.) Church leading the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

Fr. Christopher Cook vicar of S. Agnes presided at the Procession of Our Lady which made its way through the streets of the parish to S. Clare’s Church. On arrival the image of Our Lady was placed before the High Altar. The sermon was preached by Fr. Christopher Pearson, parish priest of S. Agnes Kennington Park. The Salve Regina and the censing of the image concluded this ecumenical aspect of the October Devotion. The procession returned to S. Agnes’ Church for Solemn Benediction.

Some members of S. Clare’s Church commented on the large number of young men present throughout the day as singers, servers and members of the Society and that sadly there had been very few ordinations in the RC Diocese of Salford and Liverpool during the last few years. Comments such as that make us realise that we Anglicans share so much common ground with our R. C. brethren as we consider the future of Western Christianity. To say we live in a world of change is these days almost platitudinous. However, local ecumenism and co-operation can be exciting and perhaps that is how we can best contribute towards the life of the Church in our work and witness as a Society.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Election of Ward Officers

The following officers were proposed, seconded and elected unanimously during the meeting.

Ward Superior & Chaplain: Fr. Peter McEvitt

Ward Chaplain: Fr. Roger Parker

Ward Chaplain: Fr. Christopher Cook

Ward Secretary: Richard McEwan

Ward Treasurer: Geraldene Greenhalgh

Assistant Treasurer: Ivor Smith

Membership Secretary: Christopher Cox

Fr. Ian Brooks had resigned and proposed Fr. Christopher Cook (S. Agnes’ Liverpool) to succeed him as SOM Chaplain. This was seconded by Fr. Marsh. It was noted that Fr. Brooks had been responsible for a real growth in the Liverpool area of the Ward and the Meeting recorded our gratitude for his active support of the work of the Society. Fr. Brooks said that his active involvement in the work of SOM would continue. Fr. Cook was elected unanimously.

Richard McEwan had expressed a wish to be relieved of the post of Ward Secretary after ten years service. He had been persuaded by members of the Committee to remain in post until such time as a suitable successor could be found. His hard work on behalf of the Ward in general and the SOM at large makes him a difficult act to follow.

Geraldene Greenhalgh was elected as Ward Treasurer to be assisted by Ivor Smith. Their appointment was welcomed and they both bring a great deal of enthusiasm to the post.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Festival Mass & Lunch

The primary reason for sending out the Ward Newsletter so early is to ensure that you and your family and friends have plenty of time to make arrangements to attend our Festival Mass and Lunch on 10th December.

You will read of the details and arrangements that we have made at the beginning of this Newsletter. Our Mass is our local celebration of the Immaculate Conception. It also gets the 75th Anniversary of our Society of Mary off to a good start. The homily at Mass will be given by Fr. David Morgan from S. Paul’s Adlington. Many of you will remember him as Rector of S. Clement’s Ordsall.

Our After Dinner speaker is Fr. John Gribben CR.

The Church of the Holy Family is a good venue with all the modern comforts and facilities that you could wish for. It is also the 40th Anniversary of the church building. We hope that like last year’s festival it will be a happy event. Please ensure that you contact Mrs Sandra Anderson if you require lunch. We regret that it will not be possible to feed people who do not send for tickets. Those who order lunch can collect their tickets from Mr & Mrs Anderson at the door. I am sure that you all understand that at this busy time of year we need to be well organised at every level. It would be unfair to Fr. McEvitt and his people if we were otherwise.

Please ensure that this event is well publicised in your parish and make every effort to invite people to attend especially those who you feel might be disillusioned by current events in our Church and who might be affirmed in their faith both spiritually and socially.

After “Dinner” Speaker

Fr. John Gribben is a member of the Community of the Resurrection and Prior at Mirfield. The Community consists of priests and laymen living together as brothers sharing a life devoted to prayer and worship, work and study. They undertake a wide range of pastoral ministry, both in the UK and South Africa. Their work includes a theological college at Mirfield and retreat houses, together with evangelism and counselling. Fr. Gribben will focus on the theme “Vocation - a personal reflection”

After a short drinks break there will be an opportunity for “Any Question?”

Any Questions?

This has been arranged to assist members of our Ward who are exploring and considering the Ordained Ministry at the moment. Their questions will be answered by a distinguished panel of clergy.

Fr. Alan Parkinson                    Sheffield Diocese & SOM Executive will be Chairman
Fr. David Nicholson                  Wakefield Diocese and Vice Chairman of ACS
Fr. Ian Brooks                          Liverpool Diocese and F in F Executive
Fr. Carl Schaefer                      Assistant Director of Ordinands Blackburn Diocese
Fr. Derek Lloyd                        recently ordained priest in the Blackburn Diocese

It should be a useful and informative session to which all are welcome to attend.

PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

75th Anniversary Year 2006

Saturday 11th February at 3.00pm Devotions & Social Event – S. Aidan’s Tonge Moor

Saturday 4th March at 12.00noon- The Lenten Devotion S. Catherine’s Burnley

Saturday 8th April 11.00am -4.00pm Visit to Stoneyhurst College

Sunday 7th May at 6.00pm - May Devotion – S. Faith’s Crosby

Saturday 13th May at 12.00noon – National May Devotion: S. Silas’ Kentish Town

Sunday 21st May at 6.00pm - May Devotion – S. Hilda’s Prestwich

Saturday 3rd June at 12.00noon – SOM & F in F Pilgrimage to Ladyewell

Summer Social Event to be decided?

Saturday 10th September at 5pm – 75th Anniversary Celebrations: Solemn Vespers & Pontifical Benediction
at S. Alban's Holborn. Sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Admission by ticket only.

Saturday 16th September – Society Day Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Saturday 7th October at 3.00pm Walsingham Festival S. Augustine’s Tonge Moor

Saturday 9th December at 12.00noon – Ward Festival Mass & Lunch (venue to be decided)

VOCATION

Sr. Barbara OSB writes:

“God has created me to do him some definite service; He has committed some work to me that he has not committed to another.”(John Henry Newman)

If the word “vocation” means anything to most people, it usually connects with a calling to the priesthood or religious life. Not so! God has a special place, a particular role in life for everyone in his world: finding this place, this role brings happiness and fulfilment. The awesome truth is that every single person is individually loved by God and is called to share in the Divine life.

Searching for our special place in life involves a readiness to look, listen and to learn, as we discern the right way, and ask the grace to respond to God’s call, to the inner prompting in our hearts. In finding and responding to the will of God, we find happiness, or to put it more strongly, an inner joy – a joy that abides and withstands all the ups and downs and suffering that are a part of every Christian Life. It is a life long search, for we are on a life long journey, and God’s call is renewed every day, but we don’t walk it alone: Christ himself is the Way, and we walk in the kingdom to the Kingdom.

If you watched the excellent “Monastery” series from Worth Abbey, shown recently on TV, you could not fail to have been impressed by the earnestness and heart-searching of those five strikingly different men, as they shared the life of the monks for six weeks. Theirs was a unique experience; a life changing experience, but each of us, starting from where we are, can seek within ourselves for the place, the way of life, to which God is calling us.

An invitation

Step Aside

We are a small but vibrant Anglican Community, living in the great Benedictine tradition; we can’t offer a Worth Abbey experience, but we can and do offer you the opportunity to Step Aside for a while. If you feel you need some time and space to discern your way forward, we invite you to apply to share in our prayer, work, and fullness of Community life for one – three months. It is not a commitment to be undertaken lightly, but it can be a richly rewarding experience.

Quiet Days – we extend a warm welcome to anyone needing space in their lives for study and reflection.

Retreat – we have a small comfortable guest house. Loreto House can offer hospitality for up to seven days for rest and retreat.

The Community of S. Mary at the Cross had it earliest beginnings (1864) in the parish of S. Alban the Martyr Cheetwood and Shoreditch. The hostility of the Diocese of Manchester lost this fledgling community to the Diocese of London in the 19th Century. 2006 sees the 140th Anniversary of the Community and the work of Fr. Nihill and Mother Monica lives on in Edgware.

If you require more information write to the Abbess:

Mother Mary Therese OSB
Convent of S. Mary at the Cross
Priory Field Drive
Edgware
Middlesex HA8 9PZ

FROM THE WARD TREASURER - Geraldene Greenhalgh

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 2005-2006

Annual Subscriptions become due on 1st January 2005. Members are asked to note that the annual subscription is now £10.00 (minimum).

This is broken up into £6.00 sent to headquarters and includes three issues of “Ave” posted to your home. The £4.00 is used as a contribution towards the running costs of the North West Ward of Our Lady of Victories. This includes the Ward Newsletters (3 or 4 times per year) postage, printing, orders of service etc.

Life members who wish to receive details are asked to send a donation towards printing/postage etc to me or Fr. Peter McEvitt at Holy Family Failsworth.

Please return the enclosed Subscription Form with your cheque and with any change of personal details which we need to know about. We would be particularly grateful if the names of any deceased members of SOM are made known to us. We would wish to amend our records and as soon as we possibly can.

If you have decided you do not wish to receive news of the Society please let Christopher Cox know and he can amend the SOM records we hold.

FROM THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY - Christopher J. Cox

NEW MEMBERS: We welcome the following new members to our Ward

Barry Tomlinson                      S. Agnes’ Liverpool
Ken Joplin                                S. Agnes’ Liverpool
Janet Hall                                 S. Agnes’ Liverpool
Betty Carson                            S. Agnes’ Liverpool
Patricia Robinson                      S. Agnes’ Liverpool
David Jones                              S. Faith’s Crosby
Ron Mulligan                            S. Catherine’s Burnley
Paul Cunningham                     S. George’s Hanworth
Shaun Morrisson                      S. Francis of Assisi Hammerfield
Maureen Bailey                        All Saints Wardley
Nicholas Johnson-Cummings    S. Luke’s Southport
Jacqueline Stapleton                 S. John’s Lund
Norma Spacey                         S. John’s Lund
Revd. Paul Hutchinson             Deacon: serving at S. Paul’s Royton
Susan Hutchinson                     S. Paul’s Royton
Michael Greene                        College of the Resurrection Mirfield
Audrey Burton                          S. Augustine’s Tonge Moor
Rose Pollitt                               S. Augustine’s Tonge Moor
Frank Vickers                         S. Augustine’s Tonge Moor
Fr. David Quance                     Retired and assisting in various parishes.

The North West Ward continues to make steady growth. However, I am concerned that as we hold our events people in various churches where we have members, people approach me and say they have never heard of SOM. We are always trying to think of ways to improve our communication and publicity. Can I ask all members of our Ward in the NW to ensure that publicity is available to the members of your congregation and visitors? It is important that leaflets and posters are clearly displayed and that you direct enquiries re membership to me. You might ask your parish priest if a brief article (taken from the publicity leaflet) could be included in your magazine or on your weekly bulletin. You might like to write something yourself? This may be particularly appropriate on or near Feasts of Our Lady. I look forward to seeing you on 10th December.

FROM THE WARD CHAPLAIN – Fr. Peter McEvitt

Dear Friends,

Another substantial Ward newsletter for members and supporters alike thanks to the various contributors. Within these pages you will find details of past events and those planned for the near and distant future. Of these, I particularly hope that you will make the Immaculate Conception festival a priority – not because it’s in my church but because it provides a welcome opportunity during the pre-Christmass frenzy to stop, worship God, enjoy some fellowship with like-minded folk and, this year, to enjoy a question & answer session on the subject of Vocation. Whatever our views on the matters hat press hard on the church at this time it is certain that without vocations there can be no realistic future, especially for catholic-minded Christians. Treat yourself, and a friend, and book your tickets for the event NOW!

Mention of the works of planning and organising reminds me that Richard McEwan has served this Ward faithfully for 10 years and this was marked with a presentation at the last committee meeting of a book. Richard’s inimitable style has contributed much to the life of SOM both locally and nationally. For this we say ‘thank-you’ and ‘keep up the good work!’

With Advent just around the corner I would urge all members to make good use of the season for what it really is (at least for Christians) – a season of preparation for the celebration of the Incarnation and not just a 24/7 shopping spree for all those ‘essential’ items. The appearance of the usual Christmass goods in the shops in October simply served to lengthen the anticipation – no wonder some folk are heartily sick of the whole business by Christmass Day! And which cynic put a sell by date of 22^nd December on some Mince pies I saw in the supermarket the other day? It’s a strange world.

Whatever preparations you are making this Advent, my hope and prayer for all of our readers is that the Christmass Season, when it comes, will be a time of celebration – of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

With the usual assurance of my prayers for you and a request for your prayers for me and the Ward

The Revd Peter McEvitt
Ward Chaplain

PRAYERS

Lord God, strengthen your Church

With your Holy Spirit,

That we your servants

May rejoice in your glory,

Be channels of your love

And bring all humankind to you.

Raise up from us priests and religious,

To lead us in your Way,

To guide us in the Truth

And to feed us with the Life

Which is Jesus, your Son,

Our Mediator and Redeemer.

Amen.

To David Vale (priest) RIP 8th June 2005

Metamorphosis

I am not here. My spirit soars

Beyond the stars to seek the shores

Of everlasting life.

Think of me

When sounds and scents of summer days

Meet and mingle in the humid haze.

When winter frosts etch silver whorls

On window panes, or soft snow falls

From opaque skies.

I’m home. My life’s fulfilled,

My searching soul forever stilled

In God.

Be glad.

Remember the happy times we had.

By Jo Spencer

Sometimes, Lord, I cannot pray

for there is too much on my mind;

Sometimes, Lord I cannot pray

because I am frightened;

Sometimes Lord I cannot pray

because I have done wrong;

Sometimes Lord I cannot pray

because there is no answer that I can see.

At all times, Lord, help me to trust you

with my deepest thoughts

and my sharpest fears

and my worst failings

and my blackest confusion;

take me to yourself in prayer,

so that we can talk together.

Amen.

(Michael Perry)