A visit to the Southsea Group

The majority of our groups are far flung from each other. The Southsea/ Hampshire group definitely falls into this category. For many years they would link up with the Winchester group until Margaret Guppy finally closed the group and then Southsea were out on a limb.

Robert and Eileen Steward, the group leaders, invited me to visit St Swithun’s on 24 June to explain how Life Ascending began and perhaps give the members some ‘hot news’ and encouragement. That day the weather forecast suggested huge thunderstorms and torrential rain but thank God, all we got was some soft rain.

St Swithun’s (1908) is a beautiful Gothic style church and the old school building is now part of the parish. On arrival, I received a warmwelcome and was shown into the huge hall where 20 seats had been set out for our meeting. These soon filled up with enthusiastic members, smiling and ready to listen and participate. Robert suggested we sing ‘Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty’ followed by the Life Ascending prayer then the floor was mine. To trace back over 40 years and explain the growth of the movement, our involvement in the different International meetings, our celebrations and ways of promoting the movement under five different presidents, plus the increase and decrease of groups was certainly quite a task.

The Holy Spirit always works overtime at these moments and I could not believe the way my talk came together with few notes. The words of St. Luke [12 v11-13] “Do not worry about what you are to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment, what you should say” are so true.

Elizabeth organised the tea, which had been laid out on crisp white cloths. All sorts of treats awaited us; not only fresh cream scones, topped with strawberries but two homemade cakes decorated with ‘Life Ascending’. The table was long enough for all 20 of us to sit down and relax before the group’s regular meeting took place. Molly read a prayer about lighting a candle, followed by Eileen reading about St Therese of Lisieux and Robert telling everyone about a proposed visit to the New Forest which included a cream tea. In no time he had a queue of members waiting to book their place on the mini-bus.

Nevin composed a lovely prayer to complete the afternoon, with everyone helping to clear up and then bidding farewell to their friends.
I was so pleased to meet everyone and sense the happiness the members enjoy at St Swithuns. The vibrancy of this group was inspirational and I returned home
with every hope for the future of our movement.

Paula Conrad – Editor

Life Ascending – A Catholic movement of the Church

Life Ascending is a Catholic movement for men and women in their middle and  later years. Life Ascending has three aims: Spirituality Friendship and Mission

Life Ascending welcomes all Christians and their friends of other faiths, who have that extra time to reflect, hope, to grow in faith and smile

Christ’s message in the Gospels is at the heart of the meeting and reveals new insights into all that Christ is saying to us at this stage of our lives. Sharing the Good News and our joys, concerns, experiences and activities can bring great happiness and peace of heart.

Here, within the parish group,  friendships develop as members pray and share various concerns and resolve them,  like untying a knot and then letting things go.   The time spent together is valuable and bears fruit as we find ways to help others, in the family, the Church and our local community.  Laughter and fun is key when we meet. It prevents the Life Ascendinmeeting becoming too, too serious and lifts the spirit.

Our Winter 2019 Journal is published

Our Winter Journal 2019 is now ready to be viewed as a pdf. Look at the publications page under Information. It is hoped that there is enough interest in the Journal for both members and non-members. So much depends on contributions of articles, prayers, anecdotes and more.

Robert Steward and his wife Eileen are the joint leaders of the Ascent Group (Life Ascending) and it will be our 10th year as such in 2020.