“The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples. The other turns them to cider.”
Jane Hirshf
Welcome to the Autumn letter in this lovely “Indian Summer” month of October, when the reservoirs and farms are eventually getting a much needed drop of rain! The annual BFNDA “Weekend Away” was held during in September. There were various activities, including Lorraine Platts’s well appreciated Pilates and Zumba session, for those who travelled on Friday.
Saturday morning was spent in Leeds itself, either in the city centre, with its Victorian market hall and attractive arcades, or in the local suburb of Headingly, where some of us had coffee and delicious cake in a local church hall. There was a tombola stall, with many interesting items to be won, as well as hand crafted cards and Bernie Shaw’s lovely, luxurious knitwear.
The direct members meeting took place in the afternoon, attended by three members. Since the summer we have lost former Southwark member Marie Tisi RIP, who was with us at last year’s Weekend Away. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Finances: direct membership fees = £96; charity donations from direct members = £174.
The BFNDA AGM followed. A report of this will appear in the next edition of St. Julie News. Hilary spoke of the Photovoltaic clean water, charity project. The initial project is complete. Hilary proposed that funds now be directed towards youth work within the UK. Sister Catherine Darby SND spoke about leadership conferences for Notre Dame youth, the first of which was hosted by Our Lady’s National Shrine in Walsingham and the second by Buckfast Abbey. A third conference is planned for Savio House, run by the Salesians. Each school will send a group of 12-14 year olds who will then consider aspects of youth ministry. It was agreed that a final payment of £2,500 of the charity donation should still go to the Photovoltaic project, for which it was originally collected, and £500 should be sent to the Notre Dame Schools’ Leadership Conference.
We had Evening Prayer in the chapel, then enjoyed a delicious meal, with good company and a very entertaining and amusing talk from the brother of a former pupil of Notre Dame Manchester.
After the Sunday morning group photograph, Mass, and lunch everyone gradually departed.
