Most Holy Trinity Newquay Parish 2009

It is hard to believe that yet another year filled with so many parish activities has passed again. Since our last article- after the summer, various groups enjoyed many social outings and events-Ice skating at the Eden Project, a visit to our local Dairy land farm trail, Christmas Party with puppet show - to name a few. We also uphold the tradition of a breakfast of toast and home -made jam in the hall after Mass on Wednesdays. The greatest of these mornings was a special ‘Bacon and Buttie’ breakfast which was enjoyed by many and raised excellent funds for the church. All these activities are very bonding for the community and certainly reveal individuals tastes and talents!

In November we had a ‘Bethlehem evening’ which informed us of the plight of Palestinian Christians and gave us an opportunity to savour a little ‘couleur locale’ in tasting their special wines.

In December we had a most memorable occasion, when we held our Christmas Carol Service for the first time at Trerice Manor [sister house to Lanherne Convent].  The log fire and traditionally herb scattered floor with candle lit rooms, created a powerfully authentic and prayerful atmosphere for such a Service. Furthermore our wonderful hosts Cathy and James Breslyn provided us with the opportunity to enjoy a glass of punch and mince pies in the great Hall afterwards. Courtesy of the CWL who always provide refreshments for parish our events.

Working together and fundraising is always a big part of any parish life and our Christmas Bazaar was well attended and raised an incredible £1,595:50. Our local designated charity this year was focussed on supporting the sisters of Lanherne, this helped with their projects to re-furbish their chapel and repair their sewing machines with which they make beautiful altar cloths and vestments. The joy of having Franciscan sisters makes us appreciate how blessed we are, the convent goes from strength to strength and this year alone the sisters had three new religious professions.

Our new charity this year is to be the emergency appeal in the Sudan which is being promoted by our very active S.V.P. members. This group of hard working parishioners do much to bring relief to the needy of our town and local community.

We are blessed to have three Bards of Cornwall in our parish – one of whom is Bill Glanville who, in December, gave us a most enlightening insight into the History of Lanherne. We do have a very rich history in this missionary part of England and the talk by Bill, supported our desire to choose Lanherne as our home charity this year. Still on the subject of History – we had our traditional Senior Citizens lunch at the Victoria Hotel and as always it was very much enjoyed and very well attended!

From the impeccable behaviour of the senior citizens to a more  lively venue at the Griffin Hotel, we kicked up our heels with ‘Johnny Cowling’ on St. Patrick’s day, enjoying songs and jokes all evening- a wonderful time was had by one and all.

It’s not all about song and dance here, Newquay parish hosted the ‘Women’s’ World Day of Prayer’ in March and a well attended Alpha Course in April both events were very successful.

St. Paul tells us that he ‘ran the race’ – well we have had some marathon candidates this year- we were full of great joy at Canon Conrad Meyer being  made a Prelate of Honour  by the Holy Father who bestowed upon him the title of  ‘Monsignor’ - we extend our heartfelt congratulations to him and his dear wife Mary. We wanted to give a gift to recognise this award and Monsignor Meyer simply asked for a special collection to support two of his charities. How blessed we are!

On our patronal feast ‘Trinity Sunday’ we saw twelve of our young people make their first Holy Communion and our CWL provided the superb refreshments as usual to make the occasion truly memorable.

Having commissioned our New Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist on Corpus Christi, we have like everyone, been effected by the pandemic Swine Flu, we hope that they will be able to exercise their ministry in the near future.

Finally we are preparing, with everyone in the Diocese for the arrival of the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux. and we have a coach booked for the final Mass on Friday 18^th September and the joy of a picnic on the way home.

• Minnack Theatre 21^st Sept – Whistles and Flags – Proms
• Year of St. Paul – Pope Benedict asks us to reflect on the Life of the apostle –In response We had 4 Consecutive talks on Wed evenings
• Children’s outings  throughout year – Dairy land Sept 28^th Y6 & Below
• Ice Skating Eden Project 23^rd November Y7 & Above
• 14^th December Kiddies Xmas Party.
• December 12^th Family Carol Service at Trerice
• Parish Bazaar 22^nd November raised £1,595:50
• Tuesday 4^th November Bethlehem evening –To hear the plight of Palestinian Christians and sample their wine!!
• Wed after Mass Bacon and Butty social morning –Great success for Parish
• Charity  for Sisters of Lanherne
• We are blessed to have three Bards of Cornwall in our Parish – One of whom is Bill Glanville who 9^th December gave us a wonderful talk on the History of Lanherne to support our understanding of our home Charity cause this year.
• 13^th January Senior Citizens Lunch – Very Well attended
• Thank you to Fr Brian Stevens and Fr George for covering whilst Fr Mark was away in NZ visiting his family.
• St Patrick’s Day at The Griffin – well attended
• Women’s World Day of Prayer- hosted by us in Newquay. 6^th March.
• Special joy at Conrad Meyer being made a Prelate of Honour by the Holy Father –  receives the title “Monsignor” – congratulations to him and Mary his wife– special collection raised a good amount for his chosen charities – Aid to the Church in Need and Pontifical Mission Societies
• 19^th April- an Alpha course ran in the parish
• Parish Celebration of Trinity Sunday saw 12 of our young people make their 1^st Holy Communion- with the CWL doing a great breakfast for all.
• Work of the SVP - New Charity is the Emergency Appeal in the Sudan
• Swine flu affects our new ministers of Communion distributing HC- after pandemic status being implemented!
• Annual Corpus Christi procession in Truro – good parish attendance.
• 3 Sisters’ newly professed at the Convent during the last year
• The highlight will be a coach full of Newquay Parishioners’ heading to visit the relics of St Therese of Lisieux on Friday 18^th September at the Cathedral and a picnic on the way home!
• November – two members of the congregation are awarded the Diocesan Medal for service.