Our Lady of Lourdes & St Swithun's

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Ascent Group – Events 2020 Timetable

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.

There is printed blurb available on the Ascent Groups purpose but sufficient to say that it is a Catholic-Christian Fellowship Group for those in their later years for friendship, fellowship, interesting talks, outings and devotional readings, hymns and prayers. All of our group are pensioners and generally frequent daily mass attendees.

The Table below show all our activity for next year in general outline.

In Outline – For 2020 there is no meeting in January, meetings in the Church Hall for Feb. March and April on the 4th Monday of the month from 2-15pm.
In May an outing. In June and July meetings in the Church Hall. In August a garden tea party or an outing.
In September, October and November meetings in the Church Hall and in December a pre-Christmas lunch outing. Other outings may be arranged.

Date Starts at Location Topic Guest Speakers
January 2020 NO MEETINGS IN January 2020
February 24th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall Hampshire Search & Rescue – Different type of Volunteer Trevor Vidler [trevor.vidler@hantsar.org]- (Collection)
The first Ascent meeting this year 2020 will take place in the Church Hall on Monday February the 24th from 2-15pm. The guest speaker talk and presentation will be on the “Hampshire Search and Rescue”, a voluntary registered charity that assists the police and other agencies in searching for vulnerable missing persons. All welcome to attend this event.
March 23rd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall St John Ambulance Christine Atkinson-County President Hants and Mrs Beverley Stotesbury OStJ Cert Ed –Training [christinepatkinson@gmail.com]- 07944 036478&– 01420 588328 (Collection)
April 27th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall (Portsmouth History -Talk TBD Dr John Stedman, Portsmouth Library & Archives Service )
john.steadman@portsmouthcc.gov.uk- (Donation)
May 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting –Trip to be arranged Proposed trip to TBD Bus Hire £? – Entry per person £? Arrive for ?am (Lunch self funding)
June 22nd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall The Historic Knit Joyce Meader
Tel- 02380265625 – (Donation)
July 27th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall Second Talk- History of Southampton Andrew Negus
negusday@googlemail.com – (Donation)
August 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting –August Tea to be arranged Garden Party or Trip TBD (Collection for Church Funds)
September 28th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall ‘Talk TBD’ –
October 26th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall ‘Talk TBD’ –
November 23rd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall “Musical Entertainment” Norman & Dave Folk Guitar
02392 731578 (Donation for Lotus & Rowans )
December 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting – Pre-Christmas Sunday Lunch “Pre-Christmas Sunday Carvery Lunch” Royal Beach Hotel 12-30 for 1pm

Meeting Formats

Meetings follow the pattern of starting with a hymn and the Ascent Group prayer and then a guest speaker on a topic that may be on an aspect of the Faith or an interesting subject or a Charity.
After tea, biscuits and question and answer time the speaker generally leaves and our meeting continues with our agenda topics, spiritual readings, prayers and final hymn.

 

St Swithun’s Parents and Toddlers Group 2020

Parents Toddlers Group

Look forward to seeing you next Tuesday 

Have you pre-school children? Why not come and join our happy Parent and Toddler Group which is held on Tuesday mornings (term time) from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Singing and playing for the children and a cup of tea for you the parent or carer. Look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays.

Baby and toddler groups are a great place to meet mums with children your child’s age, and your child can make new friends too. The groups are run by volunteers and provide a great play opportunity for you child and a chance for mums to make new friends too.

Location: St Swithun’s Church Hall

Date: Every Tuesday from 9:00am to 11:15am

 

Other Useful Information:

NetMums in Hampshire

Safeguarding in the Portsmouth Diocese – Read Here

Safeguarding Training – The Diocese requires ALL who work with children & young people to attend Safeguarding Training in order to fulfil their Ministry. They run regular courses for this. Contact Soraya on 02392 816396 or soraya@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Why Not come and join us

 

Ascent Group – A visit to the Southsea Group

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.

 

 

Ascent Group – Events 2020 Timetable

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.

There is printed blurb available on the Ascent Groups purpose but sufficient to say that it is a Catholic-Christian Fellowship Group for those in their later years for friendship, fellowship, interesting talks, outings and devotional readings, hymns and prayers. All of our group are pensioners and generally frequent daily mass attendees.

The Table below show all our activity for next year in general outline.

In Outline – For 2020 there is no meeting in January, meetings in the Church Hall for Feb. March and April on the 4th Monday of the month from 2-15pm.
In May an outing. In June and July meetings in the Church Hall. In August a garden tea party or an outing.
In September, October and November meetings in the Church Hall and in December a pre-Christmas lunch outing. Other outings may be arranged.

Date Starts at Location Topic Guest Speakers
January 2020 NO MEETINGS IN January 2020
February 24th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall Hampshire Search & Rescue – Different type of Volunteer Trevor Vidler [trevor.vidler@hantsar.org]- (Collection)
The first Ascent meeting this year 2020 will take place in the Church Hall on Monday February the 24th from 2-15pm. The guest speaker talk and presentation will be on the “Hampshire Search and Rescue”, a voluntary registered charity that assists the police and other agencies in searching for vulnerable missing persons. All welcome to attend this event.
March 23rd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall St John Ambulance Christine Atkinson-County President Hants and Mrs Beverley Stotesbury OStJ Cert Ed –Training [christinepatkinson@gmail.com]- 07944 036478&– 01420 588328 (Collection)
April 27th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall (Portsmouth History -Talk TBD Dr John Stedman, Portsmouth Library & Archives Service )
john.steadman@portsmouthcc.gov.uk- (Donation)
May 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting –Trip to be arranged Proposed trip to TBD Bus Hire £? – Entry per person £? Arrive for ?am (Lunch self funding)
June 22nd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall The Historic Knit Joyce Meader
Tel- 02380265625 – (Donation)
July 27th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall Second Talk- History of Southampton Andrew Negus
negusday@googlemail.com – (Donation)
August 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting –August Tea to be arranged Garden Party or Trip TBD (Collection for Church Funds)
September 28th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall ‘Talk TBD’ –
October 26th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall ‘Talk TBD’ –
November 23rd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall “Musical Entertainment” Norman & Dave Folk Guitar
02392 731578 (Donation for Lotus & Rowans )
December 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting – Pre-Christmas Sunday Lunch “Pre-Christmas Sunday Carvery Lunch” Royal Beach Hotel 12-30 for 1pm

Meeting Formats

Meetings follow the pattern of starting with a hymn and the Ascent Group prayer and then a guest speaker on a topic that may be on an aspect of the Faith or an interesting subject or a Charity.
After tea, biscuits and question and answer time the speaker generally leaves and our meeting continues with our agenda topics, spiritual readings, prayers and final hymn.

 

Ascent Group – Events Nov to Dec 2019

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.

There is printed blurb available on the Ascent Groups purpose but sufficient to say that it is a Catholic-Christian Fellowship Group for those in their later years for friendship, fellowship, interesting talks, outings and devotional readings, hymns and prayers. All of our group are pensioners and generally frequent daily mass attendees.

The Table below show all our activity for a the rest of this year 2019

Our November the 25th meeting will have a reading of the ‘Christmas Carol’ by members of the Dickens Society followed with mince pies tea and coffee.

Date Starts at Location Topic Guest Speakers
November 25th Monday 2019 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall reading of the ‘Christmas Carol’
followed with mince pies tea and coffee		 members of the Dickens Society
December 8th Sunday 2019 2:15pm Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea. Our pre-Christmas lunch The Ascent Group pre-Christmas lunch is on Sunday December the 8th at the Royal Beach Hotel Southsea. For those members who have booked for this event please assemble in the main bar of the Royal Beach Hotel at 12-30pm for lunch at 1pm on the day. Note that £10-50 per person is required to be paid on the day for the balance cost of the meal.

The Table below show all our activity for next year in general outline.

In Outline – For 2020 there is no meeting in January, meetings in the Church Hall for Feb. March and April on the 4th Monday of the month from 2-15pm.
In May an outing. In June and July meetings in the Church Hall. In August a garden tea party or an outing.
In September, October and November meetings in the Church Hall and in December a pre-Christmas lunch outing. Other outings may be arranged.

Date Starts at Location Topic Guest Speakers
January 2020 NO MEETINGS IN January 2020
February 24th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall Hampshire Search & Rescue – Different type of Volunteer Trevor Vidler [trevor.vidler@hantsar.org]- (Collection)
The first Ascent meeting this year 2020 will take place in the Church Hall on Monday February the 24th from 2-15pm. The guest speaker talk and presentation will be on the “Hampshire Search and Rescue”, a voluntary registered charity that assists the police and other agencies in searching for vulnerable missing persons. All welcome to attend this event.
March 23rd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall St John Ambulance Christine Atkinson-County President Hants and Mrs Beverley Stotesbury OStJ Cert Ed –Training [christinepatkinson@gmail.com]- 07944 036478&– 01420 588328 (Collection)
April 27th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall (Portsmouth History -Talk TBD Dr John Stedman, Portsmouth Library & Archives Service )
john.steadman@portsmouthcc.gov.uk- (Donation)
May 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting –Trip to be arranged Proposed trip to TBD Bus Hire £? – Entry per person £? Arrive for ?am (Lunch self funding)
June 22nd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall The Historic Knit Joyce Meader
Tel- 02380265625 – (Donation)
July 27th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall Second Talk- History of Southampton Andrew Negus
negusday@googlemail.com – (Donation)
August 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting –August Tea to be arranged Garden Party or Trip TBD (Collection for Church Funds)
September 28th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall ‘Talk TBD’ –
October 26th Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall ‘Talk TBD’ –
November 23rd Monday 2020 2:15pm St Swithun’s Church Hall “Musical Entertainment” Norman & Dave Folk Guitar
02392 731578 (Donation for Lotus & Rowans )
December 2020 – TBD 2:15pm No Hall Meeting – Pre-Christmas Sunday Lunch “Pre-Christmas Sunday Carvery Lunch” Royal Beach Hotel 12-30 for 1pm

Meeting Formats

Meetings follow the pattern of starting with a hymn and the Ascent Group prayer and then a guest speaker on a topic that may be on an aspect of the Faith or an interesting subject or a Charity.
After tea, biscuits and question and answer time the speaker generally leaves and our meeting continues with our agenda topics, spiritual readings, prayers and final hymn.

 


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