APCM
St George’s held its Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday 21st April after the 10am service. At this, new PCC Members and two new Churchwardens were elected.
Following the meeting there was a Parish Lunch – this year a “Bring and Share” with plenty of food and hot drinks for everyone.
Walsingham Pilgrimage, 5th - 7th April
Our Angela coach left St George’s at 8am so a very early start. Some pilgrims from St Michael & All Angels, Paulsgrove were with us. There were 15 of us from St George’s.
Our driver’s name was Kenneth.We picked up more pilgrims at Rowlands Castle and had a coffee and “comfort” break at some services on the way to Ely.
We had arranged to hold a Eucharist Service in the Lady Chapel in the Cathedral where the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her striking blue dress towers above the altar.
The ceiling in the long nave of the main church is magnificent.
I was surprised there were no pews or chairs. Just a blank space there.
Afterwards there was time for a quick browse in the Cathedral gift shop, a walk around and a snack lunch.
We arrived at Walsingham about 4pm and after our first visit to the Holy House, we collected our keys and settled into our rooms.
After supper in the Refectory there were Shrine Prayers in the Holy House and then Compline in the Shrine Church. Some people went to the Norton Room for a drink afterwards – I went to bed. It had been a long day.
Saturday, after a cooked breakfast we had Stations of the Cross or Stations of the Resurrection, you could choose which you wanted to do. Then we went by coach (or you could walk) to the Catholic Shrine. We bought souvenirs and postcards in their gift shop and at 11.15am met in the Slipper Chapel for Prayers for Unity led by Bishop John Hind.
Back at our Shrine we had lunch then the coach took those who wished to go, to Wells-next-the-Sea. The weather was fine but windy.
At 6pm there was the Mass of our Lady of Walsingham, followed by supper, then the Outdoor Procession (lots of the candles blew out in the wind!). Benediction and the Healing Ministries concluded the services for the day. Some Pilgrims then enjoyed quizzes in the Green Room.
Sunday we had a Eucharist Service held in St Augustine’s Chapel (the Barn Chapel we usually use was out of use this year due to renovation work). Some Pilgrims went to St Mary’s, the Parish Church in the village.
After our usual Sunday lunch of roast beef with lots of veggies we loaded our cases back on to the coach. At 2.30pm there was the Sprinkling at the Well and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, a short service and last visit to the Holy House and it was time to set off for home.
This year’s Pilgrimage was made extra special as we met up with Fr Timon, a past curate at St George’s and his wife Noreen. It was lovely to chat with them and catch up on news.
St George’s Friendship Group
As well as our regular coffee mornings, on 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, St George’s Friendship Group organises lunches at local restaurants and pubs and occasional outings.
On 20th May, we took over canal boat “Richmond” for a pre-arranged afternoon on Chichester Ship Canal. Twenty plus of us very much enjoyed the leisurely trip plus a delicious cream tea.
