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NEWS
WORLD CELEBRATION AT ST JAMES
Fifty different countries were represented at a colourful international Mass
held recently at St James Church in Reading. Canon John O’Shea said: ‘It was
packed completely. They were standing in the aisles – everywhere.’
CATENIAN CHARITY
The congregation entered to the
sounds of a Tamil choir from India
and a procession of flags from
around the world. A 20-strong
Philippine choir, called The
Magnificat, also performed along
with St James’ youth group. The
African community led the
offertory procession carrying
baskets of fruit on their heads. In
Fr John’s words: ‘They came
weaving up the aisle, singing and
playing the African drums. They
took the place by storm.’
An African family outside St James.
Picture courtesy of the Reading Chronicle
Readings were in a variety of languages including Spanish, Tamil and
Slovakian, and everyone held hands during the Our Father and said the
prayer in their own language.
Fr John said: ‘What was lovely was the colourful community in the sense of
all the different nations dressed in their national costumes. Even the English
were in blues and reds. I think we are incredibly blessed to have the customs,
cultures and traditions of so many different communities. It lifted the hearts
to see so many people taking part in the Mass.’
THE BRANDENBERG BIKER
The President’s Charity over the last year
at The City of Winchester Circle was Clic
Sargent - Caring for Children with
Cancer (See www.clicsargent.org.uk)
and £1,500 was raised by the Circle
members. At a recent social occasion,
Peter Bolger, the immediate past
President, handed a cheque for this sum
to the Chairman of the South Hampshire
Committee of this charity, who happens
to be Mrs Sue Bolger! Our photograph
shows Peter and Sue Bolger with the
cheque.
On Saturday 29 May, Brother James Hayes f.i.c. (a De La Mennais teaching
Brother who works at St. Mary's College, Southampton) set off on an 8 day,
861 mile solo sponsored cycle to Berlin to raise money for 11 schools in Haiti
run by his congregation, 5 of which were completely destroyed by the recent
earthquake. At the moment lessons are mostly taking place there in tents
[See inset] Bro. James arrived as planned at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
[See inset] in the afternoon of Saturday 5 June. So far he has raised over
£1,500. If you would like to make a donation to the De La Mennais Brothers'
Haiti fund please send a cheque made payable to Brothers Of Christian
Instruction to Bro. James Hayes, St. Mary's College, 57 Midanbury Lane,
Bitterne Park, Southampton SO18 4DJ.
PORTSMOUTH PEOPLE
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