A Gardeners Lament

Absolute kudos to Pat Bilton for this little poem published in the latest issue of The Pug Dog Club Bulletin (Autumn 2010). To illustrate our solidarity, I have illustrated it with some photos of our own! Enjoy:



I used to have a lovely lawn with stripes from end to end,

when people called, I really could, on compliments depend.




But that was several years before, I'm afraid to say, my lawn's no more.

'But why?' you ask, 'What did occur?' two stubborn balls of puggy fur.




They saw that lawn, without ado, and claimed it as a puggy loo!

So, my aspirations fade, I've had to let them pass

and face the fact, my once lush lawn is now just puggy grass!!

- Pat Bilton

Louis' stay in Hospital

It is quite a shock to have a little child of mine in hospital. It doesn't make it any easier being a Doctor and being able to understand things. The striking thing is how much suffering it causes for us parents; being in an unusual place, out of one's comfort zone. The sense of being out of control is overwhelming. Mummy hasn't been off the ward in 36 hours, and must be feeling cabin fever! All of this to accentuate our worry and pain.

Yet amongst all this, the little child still has a striking grin, an unbridled honesty. Consolable in his delicate state, and not seeking sympathy or false pampering. He strives for independence and expects the same things he always has.

It's a complete microcosm. We're all thrown together amidst our own unspoken sufferings, yet united in this journey through our common human condition. This is the price of Love.

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Louis is Poorly

My son Louis, now nearly 9 months old, is in hospital due to a nasty infection, commonly called croup, which has given him laboured breathing.

Last night was pretty awful, requiring oral steroid and nebulised Adrenaline... but he's perked up a lot today remaining under close observations.




I'm about to go home to look after his big sister (3) for the night. The children's ward is nice with a bed in his room for Mum to stay in. He's always been a very robust baby, and so such a strong reaction has really surprised us. Even with breathing being visibly such hard work for him, he remains remarkably upbeat!

Your prayers are invaluable and we are very grateful for them, especially as we were unable to go to Mass today. Tonight, Day 3, is notoriously the peak of the illness so we hope things won't deteriorate too much tonight, when the croup inevitably worsens.

On an even more personal note, yesterday was the 13th anniversary of the death of my elder brother Damian, who was only 21. This made the whole experience all the more poignant, enough to really test one's resignation to the Lord's will. St Margaret Mary Aloque, ora pro nobis. Sacred Heart of Jesus, miserere nobis!

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Solemn High Requiem

Friday 5th November 2010 at 7pm
St John Fisher Church, 1 Cofton Road, West Heath



Parish Priest Fr George Grynowski will this year offer our Anniversary Requiem Mass for deceased Parishioners and LMS Members. If you would like a loved one's name to be included in the Absolutions at the Catafalque, please leave as a comment.




Last year our first High Requiem was offered at West Bromwich, and for this occasion ensemble 1685 sung a stunning renaissance setting by Jean Richafort, which was a UK first. This year they have kindly offered to return for a repeat performance, which will raise our hearts and minds to God once again.

Jean Richafort (1480-1547)
This polyphonic setting of the Ordinary of the Requiem Mass was composed in honour of the composer's teacher, Josquin Desprez, following Josquin's death in 1521. Richafort held several posts in the Low Countries but also appears to have been attached to the French Court. The Requiem uses fragments of the older composer's work hidden in the rich texture of 6-part writing.

Please support this wonderful opportunity. Full Mass books will be provided and Frs Jan Nowotnik and Christopher Miller from neighbouring parishes will also assist as Deacon and Subdeacon.

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Time- remember...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.


A time to be born and a time to die.


A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.


A time to kill, and a time to heal.


A time to destroy, and a time to build.



A time to weep, and a time to laugh.


A time to mourn, and a time to dance.


A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather.



A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.



A time to get, and a time to lose.



A time to keep, and a time to cast away.



A time to rend, and a time to sew.



A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.



A time of love, and a time of hatred.


A time of war, and a time of peace.



What hath man more of his labour? I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.
And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life. For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God.


I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared. That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.






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