How was your Easter Celebration? News 21 from Canada

Dear All

How are you all and how was your Easter Celebrations?

Well it was a very different experience for us after spending 35 years in England.  This is our 2nd Easter in Canada to watch how things ae organized.  Jack and I used to be so involved back in England but we have not yet got involved here.  I thought of you all in Our Lady of Peace in Reading.

On Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) the church was full 30 minutes before the start and the choir fantastic.  I was given the task to minister the chalice.  Can you imagine about a thousand people for Communion, of course we were 8 in all.  It is really overwhelming.  After the service there was the Adoration except that it was in the Narthex and a bit noisy as people were leave so we decided to come back later.  I did mention it to Fr Mark and he admitted that he usually would have mentioned before the service but it skipped his mind. The Silent Prayer finished at 11pm with Fr Mark's presence and he did a wonderful job of leading the Night Prayers.  GOOD FRIDAY - we missed having the WALK OF WITNESS.  There was one a bit further than our church and I suggested to Fr Mark that it would be nice to start working on it for the churches near our church.  Hope we will be able to get involved in this.  I miss my Churches Together meetings, The Inter-Faith and also getting involved in The Re-Inspired with the local schools.  Never mind I just have to pray and ask for guidance and be more involved with Fr Mark.  The 3pm Service was really really full.  The Veneration of the Cross was done at the end where the ushers guided bench by bench and went out quietly.  That was nice.  Do you remember how Joan Dill and me worked so hard for nearly over a month to get a lot of people involved and we had such variations of voices and Ministers of Communion.  Well I have not found out yet how it works here but I found that over the 3 days there were the same people that read and did Ministers of Communion.  I missed the variations.  Of course Joan and I only got guided through Fr Shaun for which we thank him.  Mother's Group - who are reading this, let me tell you that I did manage to stay off alcohol and behaved very well on Good Friday.  Thanks for your prayers.

On Saturday Jack booked 20 tickets for a Passion Play and treated my Brother and the family, their friends and one of Jack's colleagues children.  It was a fantastic play and I hope to encourage to take a group next year again.  You should have seen The Ascension.  Check this web site http://www.torontopassionplay.com/PP2010newsite/index.html   It was done beautifully.  What a lovely way to spend the afternoon before getting ready for the Vigil service.  There were 12 who were received into the church and 4 confirmation.  The service lasted 3 hours but I was really touched by it all and also we even had a person who represented God for one of the Readings in deep voice and I could not see him but finally at the end of the church I was introduced to him.  I liked him straightaway.  Following that we had a Easter gathering in our house till 1am breaking our Lenten fast from acohol and sharing some nibbles.  I missed our American Supper in Our Lady of Peace church where I used to get the parish people to bring in something to share and then enjoy the Easter Celebration. 

We went back to church on Easter Sunday as Jack was doing a Reading as the person who was supposed to do that got a heart attack.

Once again the church was so full that Jack's colleague's wife Dawn and her children had to go back home.

We spent the day at my brother's and his family.  The weather was not that good compared to last year but none the less we played indoor games like Taboo and Charade.  It was an enjoyable day.  It did stop the children to go for the Easter Egg Hunt.

Our PARISH PRIEST FR MARK has turned 50 so there have been surprise dinners for him.  We attended one and it was indeed a very enjoyable evening meeting new people.  On Saturday we went to a house warming party and had a great time with more new people and then on Sunday I had my brother Angelo and his wife Maureen, 2 new couples and Rudy from our Parish and a couple who are related to Jack.  It was a group that talked, mixed and it was full of laughter.  In the evening, my neighbour Mary Ellen came to join all of us with her Banana cake which is my favourite and a cup of tea.  It was a nice way to end the evening, full of fun and fond memories.

Not much mere to add except that I am busy putting 2000 photos printed in UK into albums.  I hope to finish it by the end of this week.

I missed our Maryann, John and of course all my friends especially the ones in England.  Who is coming out next here for a holiday?  I am waiting.



The Passion Play in Etobicoke, Ontario



Mary Magdalene washing and wiping Jesus's feet

Lazarus raised from dead

Jesus giving back his sight



Passion Sunday - Hosanna to the King

Passion Sunday - Hosanna to the King

Passion Sunday - Hosanna to the King

Last Supper

Last Supper

Jesus praying in the garden

Jesus found them asleep

Jesus'Trial

Jesus'Trial

The Ressurection

The Angels are singing as Jesus is Risen from the Dead

Jesus is going up to Heaven

Jesus is going up to Heaven

Jesus is gone and yet The Apostles are still looking on

Party After Easter Vigil Service

Beautifully decorated our Parish = St Matthews

Easter Egg Hunt

 

Dipping of Strawberries in the chocolate

Nature in my back garden

Easter Morning







 





News 20 - Happy Easter - Read about how Jack welcomed me back after 3 months of being away!!!

Dear All

Hope you all are well and have been successful in journey with Christ during Lent.  In my case for the first time in history I only managed to attend The Station of the Cross once which was on Friday the 30th March in Canada, very different to the ones we do in UK.  Due to my travels I missed doing The Station of the Cross.  I hope to bear that in mind when I organise my next trip.

On Saturday the 10th March Jack was there at the airport to greet me with a placard saying 'Welcome Home My Darling Mel' and it seems just before I made my appearance a young man with a pony tail came running down towards Jack with his arms wide open saying 'Hi Darling I am here' to which Jack replied saying 'Sorry mate, you do not look like her!'  When we got to the car he gave me a bunch of red roses.  I was really touched by all these warm and loving gestures.  Then in the drive way, he handed me the key to the house which I thought to be odd.  When I reached the door, there was a picture of me with the caption saying 'I LOVE YOU MEL'.  I was really moved.  Then he mentioned that there were more surprises...  Well, I went to the bedroom to hang my clothes I spotted the Teddy Bear.  Jack had followed me and he said 'let me undo the bottom wrapping', which he did and then pressed the feet of the Teddy Bear.  It started to sing and dance to the tune of Justin Beaver's song which has this line 'I love you and I will never be apart from you again.'  He even pointed out that he had put in new showerheads.  To top it all, Jack experienced God more deeply whilst I have been away and it is a real joy that we both can pray the same way and thank and praise God all the time.  So I have waited 35 years to let Jack get so romantic.  I am one happy and lucky person. 

The next day at the Sunday Mass I was welcomed by Fr Mark and many Parishners.  I felt good.  I have been doing home cooking which Jack loves.  Jack and I have started our daily walks and at times I walk with two of my other friends called Laura and Vita.  It is laughter all the time which is just fantastic.

We have been to a retreat organised by priests that has travelled all the way from South India organised by a Prayer Group here called Family Prayer Mission.  Oh boy they were great speakers.  Our church had also organised 2 Lenten Programmes. One was 5 sessions on  Vatican II (this year being 50 year anniversary) and its impact on us with discussions.  Then six videos from a series called Catholicism again followed by discussions. I thoroughly enjoyed the programmes even though I managed to attend only 4 as I was away in India and UK.

We had our Penitenial Service yesterday 4th April at 7pm.  We had 10 priests.  By the time we went for confession it was 9pm.  A very different experience again from UK.  I am enjoying watching the Biblical movies being shown during this Holy Week eg. The Last Temptation of Jesus,  The story of Jesus in two parts, today the 5th April Maundy Thursday we will be watching Jesus Christ Superstar and on Good Friday it will be on Jacob and Joseph.  It brings the Bible alive.

Yesterday I went to help Hanya in St Matthew's school to tape shoe boxes that the children filled with useful things and today we went to the Canadian Centre – ‘Food for Children’ that Mother Theresa started with a Doctor here.  I do not remember his name.  The container will be shipped to somewhere outside Canada where it is most needed.  I felt so happy that I could get involved in helping.

John had a lovely Birthday with his friends on the 1st April although I missed him and Maryann very much.  We do skype and use phone which is a real Blessing for us.

Nothing much to say except that we would like to wish you

A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED EASTER. 

Hope your day is filled with joyful blessings -

the kind that God delights in giving!

 

 

Keep in touch.

Lots of love and God Bless. 

Jack, Mel, Maryann and John

The last leg of my journey before returning to Canada - News 19

Dear All, please feel free not to read this detailed email of mine about the last leg of my journey.  It had to be written so some of my friends would understand why I could not visit everyone due to Jack not being there and I did not have my own car.  I promise you again that I will see you first in our next visit.  These photos are the people that I could visit and had a great time.  Thank you all.  xx Mel My blog is jackandmeladventures.blogspot.com

The last leg of my journey before returning to Canada - News 19 View photos    Download all You are invited to view mel's album. This album has 26 files.

The last leg of my journey before returning to join my husband Jack in Toronto - Canada.  Here is a little joke.  The first time ever in my stay in UK that I finally managed to over come the fear of travelling on my own by train from Reading to London and by Tubes!!  so much so I did not even realised the train had reached Paddington.  I was wondering why people were looking at me.  I got up and asked the guard if we had arrived Paddington and he said 'this is Paddington'.  I just stood there laughing picturing my family and friends making fun of me.  Secondly it was great paying a visit to my friends at Barclays in Woodley, Reading.  They were happy to see me back and did a fantastic job in helping me with my accounts.

I arrived in London on the 17th March. Maryann and John came to pick me up and take me to my friend Marielle/Chris's place in Reading for 4 days. Marielle and Chris are such wonderful people and really spoilt me.  I felt so overwhelmed with their kindness and love.  Then I had Trina and Mark's hospitality for 4 days and here again I could not have asked for such loving people.  Trina even lent me her car (my car which she bought before I went to Canada) and put my name on her insurance for one day when I was in real need because John was coming from London.  With John I did so much in one day, bank, visiting friends and a good lunch.

On the day when Maryann was supposed to pick me up from Reading on the 24th, her car packed up.  She had just done her night duty and was very tired.  Everything went wrong for her and I feel God had put me there for her at the right time.  I encouraged her to get some sleep and then get a hired car.  In the meantime I was very lucky to have Beena, Krishnan, Roshan and Shana to be there for me. That very night Maryann and I went to Isle of Wight as Maryann had organised to cook for a group of young adults attending a Retreat.  Maryann's house mate Catherine, Maryann and I enjoyed cooking for Saturday and Sunday.  I had a lovely weekend as I had time to pray in their beautiful setting and meet my friends who are such fun to be with.  On Sunday afternoon we took the ferry back to London, met up with John and went to visit our dear friend Michael and Karen of 35 years. Michael had a heart attack the previous week.  Lucky him he survived and now has a stent put in.  Karen welcomed us and Michael was happy to get some company especially Maryann being a Dr and giving some advice.

The next day Maryann in spite of her long day took me to another friend Annabelle's place.  I had two lovely days with her.  She then dropped me to Reading to Heike's place.  She is a German friend and so full of laughter and love.  By now I had developed a nasty cough and temperature and managed to get an appointment with my family Doctor.  Heike was very kind to give me a lift to the Dr and every where.  She was a very good friend to me.  I cannot forget her.  My Polish friend Zofia came and took me for lunch one day and I was so glad to meet her and catch up with news.  Another friend Christine came and we had tea and talked of old times and of Canada.

Now by the 1st March I was back in London with Maryann and John came to take me out and we saw 'Shrek' the musical.  We managed to get front seats.  We thoroughly enjoyed the show.  Vrownyn another friend from Reading who happened to be in London on a course came to meet us and we had a wonderful meal in the evening.  I went back to Reading with her and stayed with Heike again.  Went and met up with my neighbours Frank and Kate and my tenants and finally my church friends Mary and David Holland took me out to Lunch.  It was indeed a pleasant time to be with them.

My friends Joe and Janet gave me a lovely cup of coffee and the taste of English cookies is so yummy.  I love them as they are such wonderful friends of so many years.  Finally Joe dropped me to Evelyn's place where I got to meet my God child Sarah-Faith.  We had a fantastic time and yummy dinner Evelyn cooked and made sure my bedroom was comfy.  Saturday comes, time is running short and I make a quick visit to Mable one of many good friends from the Prayer Group.  She insists that I have a bit of lunch.  Evelyn and Mable were very good taxis for me.  I thank them for their generous time and love.  Jack's nephew Alex and his girlfriend came from London to Evelyn's place late afternoon where Evelyn has cooked a lovely lunch.  After which we drove to visit Manjit and Surender in London and finally back to Maryann.  I am so lucky to have them and their concern for me.

On Sunday Alex and Khusboo came around 1pm to take me for coffee and the best pastry I have had for a long time.  My friends Julie, Clive and their daughter Jane with her boy friend comes all the way from Gloucester to see me and so all of us go for lunch and coffee and cakes.  I could not have asked for such love and pampering.  It was such a memorable day for all of us and I will carry it in my heart always.

On Monday I went and spent a day with Netra and Anita.  Maryann came over in the evening with John.  Netra cooked a lovely meal and it was like old times when the children were little, we used to meet up often so there was a lot of talking going on.  Anita, Maryann and John are young adults now and it was nice to see them talking of different interests.

For the last time I went back to Reading on the 6th March when my Italian friend Paola came to the station to pick me up and straight to her place for a delicious Italian dinner and her husband Luigi could not take NO for an answer and kept filling my glass with his home made red wine.  I enjoyed it and enjoyed their company for couple of hours when I had to leave and visit my senior friends Zach and Ozy.  They were my first friends in 1977.  I could not say No to their dinner this being my 2nd one of the evening.  I was so full but it was nice seeing them.  Finally their son Savio dropped me to Jenny's place who I used to work with in The Abbey School.  We had coffee and chatted for couple of hours and then she dropped me to Beena's place who was waiting for me.  We chatted and finally went to bed around 1am.  The next day Kerryanne came to take me to Theresa's place where we had coffee and cakes.  I cannot thank Kerryanne enough and Theresa for being there for me at such short notice.

Finally my Chinese friend Minru came to visit me at Beena's place.  My time was coming to an end to say Good Byes and finally Shana dropped me to the station to go back to London.  Beena and family was so accommodating and kind to me which I will not forget.  Met John and Tom and went for a meal after which I met Maryann and went to see a late night movie.  On the 8th I packed my 3 bags, met John went for a movie at Leicester Square, the worst seats and John tells me that movie premieres are shown here.  Well I have every mind to write to them and tell them what I think of their seats.  In the evening Alex, Khusboo, Maryann, John and I met for a Thai meal but in the middle of it Maryann left as she was not feeling well.  9th Friday was my last day and Maria and Loretta came all the way from Reading to spend time with me.  We had a wonderful lunch and tea.  Then Maryann and John gave me a Mother's Day gift of a lovely massage and whilst John went back to work, Maryann and I went to see the musical ‘Matilda’.  We had a very good view and enjoyed the show thoroughly.  Met John and went home and ordered for a Chinese Take Away on our last evening together. 

Finally on Saturday the 10th Maryann and John took me to Terminal 5 Airport where Daljit and Darren came to meet me too.  I treated them to breakfast at Carlucci.  Our last good bye but I have to say besides my friends that gave me such a wonderful time, my children Maryann and John made sure to ring me every day to check if I was okay and saw to my every needs.  I am so proud of them.  I thank them very much for their love and care.  I am the luckiest person and mother.  Jack rang me every morning and night.  I am sorry for not meeting all my friends but will put you first on our next visit.

To cap it all I was upgraded to Club Class on BA and travelled in style to Toronto, Canada and you will now have to wait to hear how I was welcomed by Jack at the Toronto Airport which you will not ever believe because I could not believe it myself!

Take care and keep in touch.

Love and God Bless.

Mel