Christmas Carol Singing 2009

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Carol Singing in London to raise money for the Glanfield Children's Group on 19 December 2009. The event was organised by Matthew Sharrock and raised lots of money for the group. Well done to everyone involved.

Archbishop of Southwark

The Archbishop of Southwark has resigned with "great sadness" due to ill health.

Archbishop Kevin McDonald, 62, has had a triple heart bypass.

He also suffers from severe osteoarthritis which has already necessitated surgery and he may need more next year.

Archbishop McDonald, who was installed in Southwark six years ago, said: "I feel great sadness at having to relinquish my post as Archbishop of Southwark."

He added: "Although I have had to contend with illness over the last three years, this appointment has been a great grace.

"It has been a privilege to lead this great diocese and I have received a wonderful response to everything I have tried to do.

"I have also been very appreciative of the prayers of so many people while I have been ill.

"The diocese will continue to be very much in my thoughts and prayers in the time ahead."

Archbishop McDonald, who became a priest in 1974, was born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

A spokesman for the Catholic Church in England and Wales said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted Archbishop McDonald's resignation on Friday.

Congratulations to...

Hannah and Keiron (Zippy) O’Brien on the recent birth of their daughter, Lily.

Congratulations to...

...Nimal Hemelge and Tracey McEvoy on their recent wedding at Corpus Christi Church, Wokingham. The couple were surrounded by many family and friends. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Tony Lester, O.Carm.

Congratulations to...

..Emily and James Baker on the birth of their daughter, Isabelle. Isabelle was born on 18 October 2009.

Please keep this new family in your prayers.

Congratulations to...

....Matt Betts and Terri Parry who married on 24 July 2009 at Corpus Christi Church, Bournemouth amongst lots of family and friends. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Nicholas King, SJ and Fr Tony Lester, O.Carm. It was concelebrated by Fr John Warrington, Mgr Bill Saunders, Fr Hilary Thomas, SJ, Fr Simon Blakesley, Fr Michael Flannery, SJ and others.

CA Ball 2009

Thank you to everyone who attended the CA Ball 2009 to help us raise funds for Glanfield and the CA Hospitalite. It was a wonderful night and everyone had a great time.

Photo (c) Dail Maudsley

Walsingham Retreat - 2009

Processing to the Slipper Chapel with the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham

Every two years the CA Hospitalité holds a retreat at Walsingham - organised with Jim Walton.

The latest retreat took place on 24 - 26 April 2009, led by Fr Simon Blakesley.

It was a beautiful sunny weekend and full of great friends – all of which made it all the more special. On Friday and Saturday, Simon discussed many of the teachings of the Church, and taught us a number of new things. Our main theme of discussion was the life of Our Lady, and how she is written about in the New Testament; we followed her life from when she first discovered she was pregnant, right up to Jesus’s death. Simon then helped us to understand
the place Our Lady has in the Catholic Church. On Sunday, we processed down to the Slipper Chapel on a glorious sunny day, led by Simon.

Thank you to Fr Simon and to Jim Walton for organising another wonderful retreat.

A message from Colette Sharrock, President:

In 1988 the first CA Hospitalité weekend retreat was held in Walsingham, instigated by David Lewis and others. Jim Walton was working at Elham House at that time and became involved in the organisation. In 1991 Jim himself then took on the co-ordination of a further CA retreat and subsequently has been organising these bi-annually ever since, with, I may, say great expertise.

At the end of this years retreat, Jim approached me to say he felt it was time to move on and hand over the reins to someone else. He will be a difficult act to follow, but if there is anyone out there who feels they might like to take on this job, please let a member of the Council know. Jim has promised to give his full help and support. Hopefully the next retreat will be in 2011, so plenty of time to prepare!

Meantime, Jim, on behalf of the Hospitalité, may I offer our heartfelt thanks for all the hard work over the past 20 years; those of us who have been lucky enough to attend these retreats, have enjoyed them immensely.

Francis Brassington

The CA Hospitalite has just heard the very sad news that Francis Brassington passed away on 1 March.

Francis Brasington travelled with the CA for 25+ as an assisted pilgrim and was a well known figure in the Accueil. He was also a dedicated prayer member.

Lourdes was the main focus of his life and as soon as he returned he spoke of booking for next year.

He will be sadly missed by all the Hospitalite and Pilgrimage.

May he Rest in Peace.

Congratulations to...

to Nimal Hemelge and Tracey McEvoy on the birth of their son, Raphael Ephram Hemelge born 4 February 2009.

Congratulations to...

to Danielle and Martin Toyer on the birth of their son, Laurence Stewart Toyer born 25 January 2009.