The leaden February skies and persistent drizzle didn’t deter 50 of the older members of our parish family from gathering together to begin our February Mamma Margherita Fellowship meeting by celebrating the feast of our Lady of Lourdes with Father Anthony.  Our Mass gave us time, individually, to join our prayer with Father’s for healing. Â
After Mass we, enjoyed refreshing tea, coffee and delicious home-made cakes before Graham Dorey, whose 88th birthday we also celebrated in Mass, proved that he was a very acceptable alternative to Victoria Coren as he led a joyful game, similar to Only Connect, called Linkee. Competitiveness does not wane with age and the game ended in a friendly tie-break! The generous winners, Margaret Tabbener, Angela McGeown, Anne Snudden, Carole Byrne, Margaret Blaber, Kate Boardman and Sharon Boylett, were only too pleased to share their chocolates with the losing team!
Our afternoon was brought to a close by Peter Attridge who shared a favourite prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson (13.11.1850 – 3.12.1894):
Lord, behold our family here assembled.Â
We thank thee for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us; for the peace accorded us this day; for the hope with which we expect the morrow; for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our life delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth and our friendly helpers in this foreign isle.Â
Let peace abound in our small community. Purge out of every heart the lurking grudge.  Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere…
Give us courage, gaiety and the quiet mind.
Thank you as always to dear Father Anthony whose encouragement and spiritually inspires us and nourishes us, to Graham for sharing his birthday with us and always being such a good friend to the Seniors core group, to our wonderful bakers, to Mary Pole-Baker for proclaiming the readings so beautifully, to Peter who reminded us very powerfully of our connection to one another and thank you to all the parish family who came and contributed to such an enjoyable afternoon! We have no photo of the winning team as our regular photographer was too involved in the game!
