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The Bon East Banquet
Some of the Diners at the Banquet
Once again a superb Chinese Meal
at the Bon East restaurent in Farnham was enjoyed by some 60 parishioners
and friends. Between courses there was lots of chatter as old
friends were greeted and new friends made. The evening started
with a "heads" or "tails" contest for a bottle
of champagne, and finished with the raffle draw, which had some
very fine prizes. The endevours of Michael Maher, Andy Owen and
Patsy Clark resulted in just over £1000 being donated to
the parish from the meal and the draw.
Family Day
The sun shone on our Family Day
on the 30th May and so after the 11am Mass everyone was able to
picnic and enjoy the activities on the school playing field.
The Farnham Town Band played enjoyable
background music, there was a bouncy castle, a well-used ice cream
van and a police car which kept the children busy sounding the
siren. A game was organised by Paul Gibbons where a parachute
was used to fling hundreds of sweets into the air for the children
to catch. Some of the children cleaned cars to help fund their
trip to Lourdes. Jenny Dorsa and her helpers manned well-patronised
cake and tea tent. All-in-all an excellent day.
Our Organ Recital
The inaugural recital on the newly-installed
Willis II organ was given by Neil Wright on Sunday 16th May. Neil
is the organist at Farnborough Abbey and a distinguished recitalist,
having given recent performances in France, Germany and Italy.
We were lucky enough to have him as our organ adviser for the
whole organ project.
The recital was a joyful occasion and the church was almost full.
As well as the wonderful support from parishioners, there were
several distinguished guests including the Abbot of Farnborough
Abbey.
The programme was carefully chosen to reveal the whole range of
the organ. The music was of fine quality, but easy to listen to
and enjoy. After a stirring opening march, there were more meditative
pieces by French composers showing the range of the beautiful
colours of the organ. The rendering of the Bach Toccata, Adagio
and Fugue showed great creativity and imagination and the interpretation
was inspired. The finale was an improvisation based on three themes
submitted by the audience - unseen until then by the organist
- and provided a thrilling climax to the whole programme.
The audience were very appreciative
and enthusiastic; the evening raised £516.75. It was pleasing
that there were five well-known organists present, each of whom
was full of praise for the organ and would like to come and play
it. Plans are in progress for future recitals. Josie
Dobson
APF News
During the masses of May 15th
and 16th Father Brian Oswald gave us an inspiring talk on the
work of the APF (Association for the Propagation of the Faith);
he called for new volunteers to have red collection boxes in
their homes. More than fifty parishioners have responded, adding
to the sixty who already have boxes. And five people have volunteered
to join our team of 'promoters' who collect the money from the
boxholders three times a year.
If you are one of our new boxholders, please note that the next
collection will be around October, when you will be contacted
by a promoter. Please do not think you have been forgotten,
and keep on filling the boxes!
Finally, Father Brian sends his thanks to us all for our much
appreciated support.
Sallie Wheater
Points from the PPT Meeting 26th April
2010
Parish Questionnaire
The first draft of the Parish Questionnaire was reviewed and the
resulting amendments to content were referred back to the team members
working on this project for inclusion in it along with improvements
to the layout. Steps were agreed to enlist help with setting up
and running the Parish database where the results of the questionnaire
will be recorded.
Lenten
Prayers
The Lenten Prayer Service had been a success and it was agreed to
arrange a similar service for Advent and Lent 2011.
Mass for those Received into
the Church at St. Joan's
A Mass will be arranged to enable anyone received into the Church
to celebrate their reception. This Mass will be said on 13th September
Anyone who had been received into the Church and those planning
to join the next RCIA programme are all welcome..
Parish Mission Statement
Three examples of possible wording for the Mission Statement will
be offered to Parishioners at the beginning of June for their comments.
"Bishop's Friday Meetings"
A series of meetings will be arranged to deal with the various matters
raised in the Bishop's recent Pastoral Letter. These meetings will
include prayer for good to come out of the present difficulties
over abuse by clergy, for forgiveness and for healing. The first
meeting was proposed to be held in the grounds of Waverley Abbey
(if fine).
Future Events will include discussion
on setting up Parish Cell Groups, a Parish Mission (or similar event)
and a talk on Prayer for Healing (to be given by Geoff and Gina
Poulter on 1st July at 8.00 p.m.)
Welcome to Our New Catholics
At a very impressive
ceremony during the Easter Vigil service we welcomed eight new Catholics
to our parish. Three were baptised (Thomas Hand, Guy Stephens and
Martine Torjussen) and all were confirmed (including Louise Whitmore,
Natalie McLoughlin, Danial Heron, Helen Clark and John Croll). We
congratulate them all and hope that they have a very happy and holy
life in our parish.
Particular thanks must go to Carol
Harnett and the RCIA team who have been working since last September
to help and guide our new entrants. A new course will start this
coming September.
Easter Garden 2010
The Beautiful Easter Garden in the
"Link", created once again by Trich Morgan.
Barn Dance
I think that
all of the "rebel rousers" who attended our parish Barn
Dance on Saturday 27th February would agree that a good time was
had by all. A great atmosphere, spirited dancing, wonderful music
by the Roughditch Band, much giggling and a tasty supper culminated
in pure fun.
Jenny Dorsa would like to thank everyone
who helped to make it such a success, it was especially nice to
have so many young people from the parish helping out and joining
in - thank you all so much.
Our parishioners generosity
with the raffle prizes made for many happy winners. The band donated
2 of their CDs., Paolo Dorsa was a lucky winner and highly recommends
it (contact Robert Green 01252 794860 or www.roughditch.com).
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