It is with great sadness that the Mercy Associates announce the passing of Fr. Bernard Eager on Sunday 28th June 2020. Fr Eager was Chaplain to the Mercy Associates for seven years but reluctantly had to retire in 2007 because he took on responsibility for another parish whilst not being in the best of health. He was a gentle person, absolutely dedicated to the Associates and encouraged and inspired us on many occasions and in many ways. After he retired, he continued to support us any way he could, especially saying Mass at Regional Days. Eternal rest grant unto him, Oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.

Seeing as all plans of pilgrimages have had to be put on hold for the moment, Mary Moyles has taken a trip down memory lane and with lyrical dexterity tells the tale of the trip to Lourdes in 2014. Our Pilgrimage On a fine day in August, our journey did start, With a trip to Newcastle where our coach would depart. Our good Mercy Family set off with a prayer, To Manchester City to take to the air. The flight it was calm and our spirits were high, There wasn’t a cloud in the lovely blue sky. We laughed and we joked and partook of the booze, And very soon landed in lovely Toulouse. Our luggage collected on the coach we did climb, We made it to Lourdes in fairly good time. The peace and the beauty of that special place, Put great expectation on each weary face. The Manager met us with accent so soft, But then I discovered me room in the loft! But in spite of the stairs I was happy to be Where the sweet River Garv runs down to the sea. After breakfast next morning to Mass we did go, From the dear Canon Alan the music did flow. The Sisters of Mercy and friends did all pray, For blessings from Mary to help us that day. We went to the Grotto petitions to take With our thoughts and our prayers said for everyone’s sake. It was clear all the Pilgrims were happy to be Where the sweet River Garv runs down to the sea. The hotel itself was a joy to behold, With the wonderful service from waiters so bold. Attention to detail was second to none Fine dishes of food were soon eaten and gone. Then the Manager called me with manner discreet, And told me he'd moved me into a big suite. As soon as I saw it I was happy to be. Where the sweet River Garv flows down to the sea. Our candles were lit and we walked with devotion. Each 'Ave' we sang filled us all with emotion. With people from countries all over the world, Their banners to Mary were proudly unfurled. We processed with her statue to Rosary Square With lanterns held high and our hearts filled with prayer. It was clear to be seen we were humbled to be' Where the sweet River Garv runs down to the sea. On Saturday night such a treat was in store When the Reverend Ray Kelly, he took to the floor. His wonderful singing by U-tube had spread And the crowd with the old songs, he gallantly led. He sang Alleluia so tuneful and clear, That the crowds that were passing did come into hear. They cheered and they clapped for as long as can be, Where the great River Garv sweeps down to the sea. When Sunday arrived with a day bright and clear, We boarded the coach for a sight-seeing tour. It was up to Gavarnie we headed that day. Up the high winding roads, our coach made its way. We stopped at the bridge with Napoleons name. Tried hard to get May in the bungee-jump game. The 'birthday girl' faltered and wanted to flee, Down the great River Garv right down to the sea. When we got to Gavarnie we gazed with delight, At the Pyrenees Mountains a beautiful sight. So tall and majestic and covered in snow, Where the spring of the Garv once started its flow. There were donkeys and horses for all to try. And people so happy watching others go by. Amid all the beauty it was easy to see. Why the clear River Garv runs down to the sea. We then found a bench and to May’s great surprise, We opened a bottle to toast her bright eyes. She really enjoyed it for this we could tell. We all had a great day just full of great cheer. And felt very happy with all our friends near. We were filled with the beauty of scenes we could see. Where the cool River Garv runs down to the sea. With our bags all packed ready we headed for home. No more to the Grotto we were able to roam. It was sad to be leaving that most holy site, So long ago started by Bernadette slight. To think that a young girl a peasant so poor. In spite of the pain and the scorn to endure. Could bring millions of people to this holy place, With faith never failing in the whole human race. With hearts oh so heavy our time here complete, We left holy Lourdes and Grotto so sweet. We asked Blessed Mary to help guide our way. With all souls, God willing to come back some day. To Bridie and Betty our thanks we do send. And also to Damien, our guide and our friend. With God’s grace and mercy again we will be. Where the sweet River Garv runs down to the sea. By: Mary Moyles

*** Photos Added *** Brid and Maurice Regan would like to offer their heartiest congratulations to Sr. Betty Larkin on her Diamond Jubilee - 60 years of being a Sister of Mercy. "Congratulations 🎉 on your wonderful 🎈 achievement sister Betty. Love and prayers as you begin the road 🙏 towards the next anniversary. Looking forward to the end of curfew so we can hug in celebration 🎂"

Sr. Betty from Coolock in Newcastle under Lyme in Staffordshire has created a Cross of Hope as an Easter message for us all, to help us through these difficult and challenging times. The Cross has been formed out of reclaimed wood from a skip and emblazoned with 720 LED lights and today the cross shines brightly to announce that Christ is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia. Sr. Betty’s actions echo the words of Catherine McCauley who said: “We should be shining lamps giving light to all around us”. “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your Faith is in vain… And if Christ has not been raised, then your Faith is a delusion and you are still lost in your sins… But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (I Cor 15:14, 17, 20)

Srs. Bridie and Betty in Coolock, Newcastle under Lyme thought they would show their appreciation for the work that the brave people in the NHS are doing for us all in these difficult and challenging times by making a banner and having it emblazoned across the wall of Coolock and St. Bernard's Convent which backs on to the A34 and is just a quarter of a mile 'up the road' from the City's main hospital, The Royal Stoke Hospital. Three cheers for the NHS Three cheers for Sr. Bridie and Sr. Betty

Shrove Tuesday saw the Mercy Associates in Filey get together at the Convent for an afternoon led by Sr. Zita. They considered that as they read the Scriptures that they needed to wake up to the beauty of God’s word and “spring clean” their Spiritual Lives. ...article kindly provided by Judith Quirk

Of your charity, please pray for the soul of Eunice, a Mercy Associate of many years. Eunice and her husband, Derrick made their commitment as Mercy Associates in Coolock, Newcastle under Lyme in 2009. They both knew Sister Betty from Hornsey when Sister lived there. They have been living in Easingwold most recently. Sister Betty kept in contact by sending the prayer sheet to them and Derrick always phoned to say thank you and have a chat with sister Betty. He was always very thankful for the contact. 'A Mercy Associate is for life' he used to say. Eunice's funeral took place on 28th February 2020. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace.

Re-Commission Night in Stechford. In February we come to meet, With all our Mercy friends to greet. Our special night when we renew, Our yearly hopes for what we do. We bring our candles which we light, To help us all to then unite. In prayers and thoughts of those who've passed, Their memories will forever last. In Catherine's steps to tread we'll try, Her Mercy works to live life by. We ask our God to bless us all, To help us live our Mercy call. Associates new, their promise say, So prayerful on their special day, To join a family so worldwide, Will fill their hearts with joy and pride. Our Sisters dear renew their call, With thanks and blessings from us all. They're here to help the whole year through, Show love and mercy in all they do. With hymns and prayers we join to sing, Our celebration to an end we bring. With Catherine's words we all agree, To have a 'lovely cup of tea'. Article kindly provided by Mary Moyles Stechford Associate

Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Rita, a member of the Mercy Associates in Oldham for many years who died on the 4th January 2020. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

MERCY ASSOCIATES’ ADVENT RETREAT - STECHFORD 13 DECEMBER 2019 When an Associate asked if it would be possible for us to give our Group an Advent Retreat, we said ‘Yes’ and began to plan. This was the first time we had held a Mercy Associates’ Retreat in our house in Stechford. We issued an invitation having no idea of how many would be interested or free on a Friday so near to Christmas. To our surprise the ‘yes’ responses came pouring in and on the day we welcomed 16 Associates and Sr. Teresa Paschal O.Carm. Altogether 19 of us fitted comfortably into our front room. The Reflections given by Sr Maura & Sr Maureen were on the meaning of the word ‘Advent’, and the invitation to slow down and allow space for God to come; the Word of God and the God who Speaks. We focussed on the Advent Readings especially Matthew’s Gospel which we will hear throughout the Sundays of this year. All welcomed our invitation to SILENCE so that we could hear the Word as it came to us in different ways during the day. We are all aware of how noisy life is today because of social media and our busy lives, so the silence was perfect for everyone. Due to numbers we had a split lunch-break; half the group went to the Church which is just across the road to reflect before the Blessed Sacrament - with the opportunity for Confession - while the other half had lunch. In the afternoon we prayed the December Prayer from the leaflet sent us by Sr Annette McCartan. The Retreat ended with Mass in Church. This special time was a gift to us all amidst the hustle & bustle in the lead up to Christmas.

A group of Mercy Associates from Golborne got together with Srs. Bridie and Betty from Coolock in Newcastle under Lyme on Thursday 14th November to present them with Father Eager’s Vestments. Fr. Eager wished Coolock to have them as he's no longer able to wear them since retiring and moving in to a nursing home. The group spent what was a very cold day in the warmth of Coolock's lounge and enjoyed watching the story of Coolock gardens on a DVD. Srs Betty and Bridie cooked them a lovely hot lunch which went down well on such a cold day before they headed back North.

On 25th September at 19.00, a mass was said for Fr. Bernard Eager at St Catherine and All Saints Church, Golborne, in the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Fr. Eager is now living at the De La Salle home for retired Brothers. The members of St Catherine’s and All Saints Mercy Associates spread the news around the deanery as many of the parishioners from St Catherine’s in Lowton now go to other churches its closure. Fr. Eager was parish priest at St Catherine’s for 20 years before his retirement. There was quite a good number at the mass and the icing on the cake was that Fr. Eager was brought to the mass by his long time friend Laurence Gibson and Brother Shaun. He was very happy to see everyone and after mass, tea, coffee and cakes were served by the parishioners to everyone in attendance. Fr.Eager was very happy and enjoyed chatting to everyone in attendance. Article kindly provided by Kathleen Roberts