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Mums the Word

I am writing this column in April but who knows what the future will hold by May. Nobody of course, but there is nothing to stop us from looking into the past.

You may remember that some time ago I was encouraging you all to write down jottings from your life. Well, now is the perfect time to do it, don't you think? Even those who use computers can join in, but do print them out because computers are bound to be replaced by some other fantastical machines in time to come, but paper and pen (and possibly print on paper) will still survive.

Think of the machines that have largely disappeared in our lifetimes: slide viewers, reel-to-reel tape recorders, cassette recorders, floppy discs; lots of things that we kept our records on have gone. So why not get busy writing your memories? Did you wear hand-medowns, toast bread on forks before the fire (which was probably a coal fire), have a relative who worked in service, or was in the Land Army, or had an uncle with a wooden leg? I dare you to do it.

I would like to thank all our clergy for the way they have adapted to the current situation by streaming services on computers, ringing parishioners to check on them, even walking around their parishes and ringing doorbells. We also thank our seminarians, home from their studies, who are helping out in our parishes. Everyone is playing their part.

Those of us who are confined at home well know the power of prayer so we will all be storming heaven. Our Blessed Mother will surely join us. We must also keep moving – so do a samba in your living room or conga down the hall. All meetings and services are cancelled or postponed for now so until the next time, ladies, keep safe and well. May God bless us all.

A century of service News from the Liverpool Province of the Knights of St Columba

Knights raise over £1,00 to send pilgrim to Lourdes

Council 12/13 of the Knights of St Columba has raised £1,100 to send a young man to Lourdes. That young man is Louis Marshall who, seven years ago, suffered a brain injury so severe that doctors were going to switch off his life support, having decided there was no hope he would recover.

However, just before they took this action, one of the medical team noticed a slight movement in his right hand. They agreed, therefore, not to switch off his machine, even if the doctors believed that he would not recover the ability to walk, talk and engage in most normal activity.

Today Louis, 26, is now walking and talking and doing quite a lot for himself. This is down to his family and friends, his physiotherapists and his support team from the charities Natural Breaks and Headway. Louis’ sister Kathyrn and aunt Lynda Wardale were hoping to raise further funds to send him to Lourdes by running a half-marathon, though this has been postponed until the autumn owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Our photo shows (left to right): Lynda Wardale; Desmond Fraser, council 12/13’s grand knight; provincial warden Peter Cherry; Louis Marshall; council treasurer John Larway.

Finally, the coronavirus crisis is taking its toll on many planned events and the Order has found it necessary to postpone the Biennial National Memorial Mass for deceased members which was due to take place at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Saturday 13 June, though it is hoped that this can be rearranged for a later date.