PEREIRAS Newsletter January 2016

With very mixed feelings we said au revoir to Fr Ron and Claire. They have ministered to us for nearly 10 months in 2015 and become very much part of our Pereiras Church family. We are sorry to see them leave, but they will be back in June in Luz, and though Luz is at the very end of Europe it isn’t a million miles away. We wish them well and thank both of them so much. We welcome another friend in January - Fr Richard and Jill for 2 weeks, and then welcome yet another friend, Fr Mark on Dec 31st. We are indeed blest, and know it.

Sunday December 6th was a special service as the granddaughter of a member on our Congregation was being brought to God for baptism, as her mother had been a while ago. Thankfully we had a baby, mother, father and grandmother with us as the service began. The rest of the family arrived in batches, as they had had to give way to a bicycle race, and traffic control. There was a lot of chatter and movement throughout the service, but it was lovely, and the baby gorgeous.

Advent study group was well attended with good fellowship after it. Thank you, Fr Ron. We also need to thank all our Readers, Intercessors and Eucharistic Ministers for all they have contributed to our worship, especially in December and January when we are very few here. However our singing remains strong. Special thanks to Mary (Organist) particular! Worshipping in Pereiras is a joy.

Carol service at Boliquieme was great. Fr Pedro was with Fr Ron; Gemma played the organ, (thanks Gemma). There were some 60 people in the Congregation, mostly strangers, for whom this service is meaningful. Fr. Pedro is a young Priest, speaking excellent English who is keen to further our relationship with our Catholic brothers. We crossed the road to the home of the Padfield’s for refreshments. Thanks Pamela, & Anita for the excellent mulled wine. Carol singing would seem to be thirsty business. We shared the giving with Fr Pedro, and our half is going to the Vale Silves Community centre. Our fund raising at this event raised €186, by a raffle and a modest collection at the door. Again thanks to Pamela and Alan for organising this. There is something special about Midnight service, the Advent waiting is nearly over, just have to wait till 11pm in the cold Church to greet the Lord. There were some 30+ of us there and the fellowship after was lovely. No prizes for guessing who did the refreshments.

Fund raising and social events. John and Judie’s impromptu coffee and brandy morning raised €85. Anita K’s Christmas cake baking raised €200 or more. Anita & Phil K’s dinner at the Foral Restaurant raised approx. €250, and this was an event to be remembered. On a dark night Fr Ron driving, Claire navigating using a dodgy map, Rosie in the back, (silent really?) wielding L.E.D torch headed out into the orange plantations around Foral. After some interesting excursions down various tracks we were lost. Finally Fr Ron taking us down a bad road till a shriek from back, “Stop! That is a ploughed field!” We returned to a junction and decided to phone for help. Can you believe none of us had a mobile number - for anyone? We were rescued by John W phoning us, Anita coming to meet us and we arrived. We had a ball. It is a lovely traditional restaurant, the food was excellent, service the same, Phil had arranged an accordion player, and after dinner kitchen staff came out and led the dancing. Fr Ron saved his reputation as a navigator by leading all who could, in a smart Conga around the premises. We shall certainly go there in the summer for a B.B.Q, and hang balloons tethered to arrows for guidance.

Vale Silves Community Party. December 12th. This was an eye opener for those who had not gone to it before. The large dining room was full; folk from all around were there. The buffet of pork with pineapple. Bacalhao, salads, rice etc was delicious. Entertainment was provided by the activities the Community at large does there. Ballet, sort of kick boxing, singing, etc. Fr Pedro and Fr Ron said Grace, Dra Amanda was M.C and fun was had by all. There were heartfelt thanks to us for the Gifts we provided. It would be difficult not to do the Gifts annually. This Centre would seem to cover a larger area, and provide more care, than we realised.

The Piggy Christmas present to our Pereiras community was generous and the Verger asked that we be thanked for the food that would be distributed before Christmas. The Piggy collection, run by John W, is cashed in quarterly, and often the food is given at Easter, mid-year, Harvest and Christmas. We all know of the poverty around us, so it would be good to help more by boosting the First Sunday on the month food gifts.