Sri Lanka Links

In May, Bruno Diaz came to stay for the weekend.  Cath, Chris and I taught Bruno in Sri Lanka and he is now studying in Brighton.  The loyalty of our Sri Lankan friends never ceases to amaze me- that we should ne so fondly remembered after all this time!  But many people do stay in touch and it was great to be able to offer return hospitality and share my city with Bruno.  Much fun was had – we even honoured Bruno’s request to visit Anfield – he humoured us by having a photo at Goodison too, but was clearly unimpressed!

On the Monday Bruno and I spent the morning at De La Salle High School in St. Helens – a nice symmetry, as it was Lasallian Developing World Projects that first took us to Sri Lanka and the De La Salle brothers who offered us such warm hospitality. 

Lindisfarne

In April I organised a parish trip to the North East.   It was a real success – parishioners came together socially, we had a hilarious tour guide possessed of the Irish gift of the blarney (Clare Bowles of local radio fame), the weather was beautiful and our itinerary of Durham, Lindisfarne, and Alnwick Garden was great.  Lindisfarne was the highlight for me – stunningly beautiful and somehow exuding a real sense of peace that befits its name ‘Holy Island’.  We had a wonderfully informal outdoor Mass sitting round the statue of St. Aidan next to Lindisfarne priory – nice to feel our Celtic roots!

Paris

In September I started my candidacy with the Helpers of the Holy Souls.  In April, as part of this, I spent a week in Paris at the ‘Maison Mère’- La Barouillère.  It was so good to visit the places associated with Mary of Providence, to learn a bit of the history, rummage in the archives, marvel at the audacity of these women and be inspired by the charism as it continues today.  It was also great to meet Helpers form other provinces – even if my limited French pretty much evaded me!  

The perks of being able to wander round beautiful Paris in glorious weather, sustained by delicious food and wine should perhaps also be mentioned!

Operation Catch Up

I started this blog mid way through a sabbatical year – a year of discovery.  Turns out the discovery is ongoing...  Also turns out that I quite liked blogging, not least to have an account for myself.  So, I’m starting a little catch up, focussing on the lovely things.  The less-than-lovely are no doubt just as important but don’t need airing!

Christmas Fundraising Update

I was able to send a good sized donation to Sr. Brigitte this week. Many thanks to all those who have contributed, especially:

• Family for buying calendar making equipment

• Friends and parishioners of St. Agnes’ & St. Aidan’s for buying calendars

• Staff at Florence Melly Primary School in Liverpool for making Christmas donations (especially Kerry for organising!)

• Staff and students at Liverpool University Law clinic for making & eating lots of cake!

• Various other kind souls who gave me donations

Sr. Brigitte has now been in Shinyanga for a couple of months and has been joined by a small group of enthusiastic young women who want to join her new community. Even before they find a permanent home for the women’s hostel they have a couple of abused women staying with them and contributing their own experiences to the foundation of the community. Knowing they have support in the UK for this valuable work is very important to them – so thanks again!

Liverpool University Law Clinic contributes

As the end of term approaches, advice letters are finished and the pace has started to slow a little at the Law Clinic.  What better to do then, than to fit in a little baking to raise money for the St. Maria Goretti women’s refuge in Tanzania?   I am very grateful to the staff of the Law School who supplemented my cake-making efforts and produced some delicious offerings for a cake and coffee morning- and to those staff and students who came by to eat, chat and donate!  Special thanks to Marie (my lovely mum) who was chief organiser!  £127 raised and every penny counts... 

Calendar Production

Calendar production is now in full flow!  It gives me the excuse to surround myself with lovely African memories and is the latest in my efforts at fundraising for Sr. Brigitte’s  women’s hostel.   She moves to Shinyanga this week where she will be joined by the fist of the young women planning to join her order.  Also waiting for her is a woman who has been badly abused and has been hiding in a church - word of her work had gone before her.  Sadly, I have a feeling she’ll be kept busy...

So, calendars are now available if anyone would like to support this project!