ST PAUL’S POST

St Paul’s Province Weekly Newsletter: 142 23 September 2019

Our Maire Murphy 23 September birthday Moya O’Cleary 23 September girls this week are: Mary Patrick Corrigan 26 September

Sister Majella invited us to a beautiful service in our Chapel on Thursday 19th September 2019. It was in response to Our Holy Father, Francis: Feast of Creation. Each of us had a booklet made especially for the occasion. The sisters next door at 78 were also invited. The booklet had readings from 'Laudato Si', Hymns, Litany of Repentance and Prayer of Petition. As we entered the chapel we were greeted by a wonderful Feast of Creation. 'All things bright and beautiful', arranged among colourful silky cloths, were rabbits, birds butterflies, fish, flowers of all colours, vegetables, fruit, and candles to represent the four seasons. The candles were lit at different parts of the service. Above all the bright and beautiful things of creation were the two very important quotations of Pope Francis, which were enlarged:

1. ‘Every year sees the disappearance of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see because they have been lost forever.’ 2. ‘Let us follow the example of and take care of our common home.’ Sister Helena CP MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Our Sisters: Vivian Whelan Rita McStay

Nora Horan Maire Murphy Mary Sloan Regina Boland Kathleen Kinane Maura Fanning Rose Mulligan

Relatives/friends of Sisters: Clyne, Brigid Murphy’s brother-in- law; Marguerita’s brother, Pat; Michelle Reid, Rita McStay’s niece-in-law; Damian’s brother, Brendan, now seriously ill; Elaine Plunkett,Keig hley Associate; Anna Hainey’s brothers, Danny & Jim; Carmel Comerford’s sister, Clare; Eily May’s brothers, Tade & Jack, and her sister, Mary White; Barbara Sexton’s brother, Denis, and his wife, Breda, both of whom are ill, and Lorraine’s Mum, Mary; also our sister-in-law, Angela Sexton, Francis’ niece-in-law, Val McCartan; who is very seriously ill; Kay Doran’s niece-in-law, Kerry; Mary McLean, Margaret Travers’ sister; Mary Curtin’s niece, Breed; Anna Kearns, grandniece of Sr Annie Nicky Allan, Co-Manager of Elmleigh; McCambridge; Francine’s brother-in-law, Bill Knowles, & her Maria Somers, wife of Paschal; sister, Rita; Fr Tuohy, SJ, who is seriously ill.

Prayer Updates: helping us to pray more effectively. If you would like to update us on the prayer needs of your relatives or friends on the ‘sick list’, please email me and I will publish it here. It is helpful for all those praying to know what they should be praying for. Thank you. Lorraine

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 n the 7th July 2006 a whirlwind from America hit Villa Pacis in the form of Sister Kathleen. She was 88 years young, arrived looking very glamorous in her colourful trouser suit, (eyebrows were raised). As for Kathleen, she had a great welcome for herself, it didn’t take her long to settle into her new home. We all enjoyed the great stories, about life in America, her ministry in the retreat house, how she took it upon herself to look after the elderly neighbours living in her apartment block, making sure spiritually and physically they were well looked after. Of course, in between the stories we had renditions of Kitty of Coleraine, Danny boy and a few more Irish tunes. Each day we wondered, what is her dress code going to be? Kathleen was an avid reader and looked forward to exchanging her books when the library van arrived at Villa Pacis. On her many trips to the Mall (shopping centre or the dollar shop) Kathleen greeted many people on the way; so much so it wasn’t long until she had many friends among the shopping fraternity. Kathleen always had time to sit and chat with the sisters. If we were looking for Kathleen we would find her sitting in her favourite spot looking out at Davis mountains where she would sit for hours enjoying the peace and quiet of creation, the beautiful greenery of the Mountains. On occasions when Emeritus Bishop Walsh visited Villa Pacis Kathleen would converse with him re the situation in the church at the time. She was so informed great debates took place at table, and of course Kathleen had to have the last word. One of the highlights for Kathleen was her 100th birthday celebrations. The staff made a great fuss of her, she had received many presents but the one present that meant everything to her was a Teddy Bear bought for her by some of the staff. Of course, Teddy had to have a name, which Kathleen duly christened Jonny. Jonny was very important to her, never out of her sight, so much so Jonny was by her side in the coffin. Kathleen was a bright spark in the community and would break into song at the drop of a hat. The years began to take its toll on Kathleen; fading light, spark left her, eyes failing, this did not stop Kathleen attending the celebration of the Eucharist each morning, which she attended up until about a month before she died. When Kathleen died Bishop Walsh couldn’t attend the funeral. However he did come to the convent to say goodbye (in his words) to ‘his sparring partner’. Kathleen is sadly missed, was a breath of fresh air, did her own thing, was very thankful for all the care and attention given to her, always had a smile for the carers even on the morning she died. A lady who genuinely cared, was appreciative of all that was done for her, no task was too great for her, even in her twilight years, the other person was more important. Rest in peace Kathleen, don’t be giving the Lord a hard time. Remember, He will have the last word. Margaret McCabe The Great Elizabethan Tour Shrewsbury, Stone, , Ashton-under-Lyne and Sutton (Sr Dominic Savio CP, MMJ Cause, Historical Commission)

SHREWSBURY: The site of Elizabeth Prout’s birthplace beside the old brewery, now flats; St Julian’s church, exterior only; St Julian’s Baptismal Register for 1820, in the Record Office; The Catholic Cathedral; The Abbey.

The brewery is at Coleham Head. (Now flats) The houses beside it have been demolished. Elizabeth Prout was born on 2 September 1820. Her parents were Edward and Ann Prout. Edward was a cooper, making barrels for the ale produced in the brewery. They lived at one of the cottages adjacent to the brewery and so it is very likely that Elizabeth was born in one of these cottages. They have now been demolished and the brewery has been turned into flats. On Sunday, 17 September 1820 Elizabeth was baptised in St Julian’s Anglican church in

Shrewsbury. St Julian’s Church (exterior): Go up Wyle Cop, the main street, a hill. Notice The Lion Stagecoach Inn as you walk up the hill. St The brewery and houses Julian’s Church is on the right, up (photo courtesy of the owner) another hill. Continue along the High Street. Sr Angela Kebakile CP at the brewery At the T-junction at the top of the High Street, turn right into Elizabeth Prout’s Entry in St Pride Hill and cross over the Julian’s Baptismal Register, road. The Record Office is at which is now kept in the Record Office in Shrewsbury. Castle Gates

Castle Gates. It is open on Her Entry is the second from the bottom on its page: Baptised 17 Thursdays from 10am to 8pm. September; born September; Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and One person in your group needs Ann Prout of Coleham by Hugh Owen, Minister. Father’s occupation: Cooper. a reader’s ticket and passport with photograph for entrance to the Record Office. If you wish to see it, the present Catholic Cathedral of the Diocese of Shrewsbury is on the Town Walls, across from the Coleham Brewery. There was only a very small church there when Elizabeth Prout was living in Shrewsbury but she would have seen it. Elizabeth Prout would also been familiar with Shrewsbury’s medieval Abbey Church and probably attended services there from the Anglican Sunday School. The Abbey church Catholic Cathedral today

Sr Mary Dumond would like you all to have her new email address. It is: [email protected]

Pope Francis continues to challenge us as he tells us that our choices are literally a matter of life and death!

Our prayers and appeals are directed first at raising the awareness of political and civil leaders. The words that proclaimed to the people as a kind of spiritual testament at the threshold of the Promised Land come to mind: “Therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live” (Dt 3:19). We can apply those prophetic words to ourselves and to the situation of our earth. Let us choose life! Let us say “no” to consumerist greed and to the illusion of omnipotence, for these are the ways of death. Let us inaugurate farsighted processes involving responsible sacrifices today for the sake of sure prospects for life tomorrow. Let us not give in to the perverse logic of quick profit, but look instead to our common future!