Objet trouvé

Brother President Edek came across the following the other day. It shows our distinguished Brother Secretary in his heyday:

Blessings to all readers, from Lourdes

The Grotto, peaceful and prayerful at midnight - the best time to visit

Together with our daughter Aila, who has been written about elsewhere on this blog, I was privileged to be part of the Arundel & Brighton Pilgrimage to Lourdes this summer: where all Catenians, especially Crawley Circle, and blog readers were remembered in prayer.  It was a truly amazing experience and I would warmly encourage anyone and everyone to go, whether as a helper or able pilgrim (or, of course, a "VIP" as the sick or disabled are known).  The care, the consideration, the fellowship and the spirituality cannot really be described - if you can, do go and experience it for yourself.  I cannot thank enough the amazing helpers of all ages, who anticipated Aila's every need and who enabled her to have a week that was not only spiritual and healing but also great fun!

At the Lourdes Family Group
fancy dress party, Bishop
Kieran proves that a holy week
can also be a fun one!

Whilst Aila did not "pick up her mat and walk", the growth in her confidence and happiness after a very difficult year were nothing short of miraculous - thank you, Our Lady of Lourdes!  She is now in a much better place psychologically from which to tackle the autumn term, which swill see her not only back in education but at a new college, now as a wheelchair user.  We are thankful also that the building work on our disabled house adaptations is coming on apace and hopefully should be finished in about three weeks' time.  There are still expenses to be incurred with decorating and equipping the new spaces (and the newly modified old ones) but we are so very grateful to everyone who has supported us and Aila's Fund in any way and enabled this life-changing work to happen.  This includes the Crawley Catenian Circle both as an official Group and as individuals.  Thank you and God bless.

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

O Holy Virgin, in the midst of your days of glory, 

do not forget the sorrows of this earth. 

Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering,

struggling against difficulties,

with their lips constantly pressed against life's bitter cup.

Have pity on those who love each other and are separated.

Have pity on our rebellious hearts.

Have pity on our weak faith.

Have pity on those we love.

Have pity on those who weep,

on those who pray,

on those who fear.

Grant hope and peace to all.

AMEN

Visit to Nymans Gardens 13 August

I would like to take the liberty of adding a few words to Bro Mark's excellent set of photos below in order to celebrate a lovely trip out. With apologies, I haven't much erudite to say about all the historical and horticultural details that our guide Valerie entertained us with - they were excellent, and very interestingly presented, but unfortunately I don't trust myself to report them accurately.  Perhaps someone else can help!

I would, however, encourage any readers who get the opportunity of a guided tour of Nymans Gardens to jump at the chance.  Perhaps - like Bro Edek and myself and probably most of us who went along on Monday - you have visited Nymans many times before, but it is a different experience when you have someone explaining the background of the place to you.  Everything came alive with quite another significance, even beyond the obvious natural beauty we had enjoyed so many times before.  Well done and thank you Valerie!

During our stroll around the Gardens we learned a great deal about the horticultural approach of Nymans' gardeners both past and present and about the architectural history of the house (which in my ignorance I had always supposed to be a genuine medieval/Elizabethan structure!!).  We were shown how the present Head Gardener is trying to restore the Garden to something closer to its original vision, which has required some pulling up and thinning out but all to very good effect.  The afternoon was mostly dry although our little group did blossom forth with a display of umbrellas once or twice (well this was an English country garden in the summer, after all.)  Wide views across the Weald provided a stunning backdrop to our walk. 

We finished up with tea and excellent cakes in Nyman's cafe.  All in all a very pleasant afternoon - "time well spent" indeed.  Thank you National Trust, Nymans and Bro Mark!

Setting out, full of energy

Brother Peter shows his sensitive side

Our excellent guide Valerie

Ooh! Come and feel... it really is spongy!

Valerie shows us "The Puddle", which hopefully will be restored
to a lily-bearing garden pond once a troublesome leak is dealt with

A welcome break and a chance to enjoy the scenery

A house that was not all it seemed

Amazingly, Nymans'  extensive beds of annuals
are all planted out in one day!  The choice of date
is determined by the lunar calendar, which in turn
determines the height of the water table

The umbrellas blossom