News from around the Diocese

Quarr Abbey / Diocesan Medal / J&P St Mary's Ryde / Our Lady's Fleet 

St John Bosco, Woodley 

Quarr Abbey

A.P.F. Mission Together

Pax Christi

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Celebrations to mark the 100th Anniversary of Benedictine Monks at Quarr Abbey. For more click here.

Bishop Hollis of Portsmouth pictured with Abbot Cuthbert Johnson OSB of

Quarr Abbey, after the special Mass of Thanksgiving for the arrival of the

monks at Quarr in 1907.

The newly-formed Justice and Peace Group at St. Mary’s, Ryde, celebrated Peace Sunday in January this year by displaying the Pax Christi flag on a notice board at the back of church which was directed towards incoming parishioners and turned before the end of Mass to attract their attention again as they left church. The Group also re-displayed the Bethlehem photos produced by Kevin Mayhew and Pax Christi, which had been displayed elsewhere throughout Advent and Christmas, on the pillars of the church so that parishioners could see them closely. The Pax Christi peace prayer cards and information leaflets were given out as people left church and a retiring collection collection raised £ 261 for Pax Christi.

Two of the Group are in correspondence with Willie Manning, a prisoner in Mississippi , USA who is in his 15^th year on Death Row despite compelling evidence that he is innocent of the crimes for which he has been imprisoned all these years. His letters are inspirational in their optimism and Job-like endurance.

At our February meeting, Fr. John Stokes, the Isle of Wight prison chaplain, gave us a most informative talk about our three prisons on the Island and the great problems faced not only the by prisoners but by the innocent families of prisoners; we intend to follow this up by researching how we can help to provide information which will assist prisoners’ families.

On Saturday, February 17^th, three of our J&P Group are going to Basingstoke to attend the Diocesan Justice and Peace Day and two of us hope to join the ‘National No Trident/Troops out of Iraq ’ demonstration in London on Saturday,February 24^th.

Award of Diocesan and Altar Servers' Medals

It was to great acclaim, and thunderous applause from the congregation, on the Feast of St. Stephen, when Fr. Mike Stanier made the presentations that Lydia Cattell received her silver medal for 15 years as an altar server, and Terry Clements received his gold medal for 50 years.  Each receiving, at long last,  a form recognition for their unstinting service to the Parish of Our Lady in Fleet.  At the same time the award of the Diocesan Medal, granted by Bishop Crispian, was received by John Pearson in acknowledgement for his selfless dedication, zeal, and commitment over many years of giving his time to the many offices he took for the Parish Pastoral Council. All in all it was a proud moment for Our Lady's Parish.

On Sunday 4th March 2007, at the Sunday 10am Mass, Bishop Crispian consecrated the altar and dedicated the church of St John Bosco, Woodley. The Rite of Consecration and Dedication was simplified and incorporated with the normal Sunday Mass. Mr Paul Inwood, the Diocesan Director of Liturgy helped with this. It was a wonderful ceremony and ended with some of the children from the parish, who attend St Dominic Savio Primary School, singing “Share the light of Jesus” whilst using sign language. Also, an official plaque commemorating the ceremony was unveiled, and is next to the statue of St John Bosco in the church porch. Afterwards there was a celebration breakfast in the school hall, which was well attended.

To read more and see more photos, click here.