Prasada, Qr. Subrane, 83440 Montauroux.

Email cga.prasada@wanadoo.fr Web WWW/cgaprasada.com

Christmas Greetings

Cécile writes:

Life at Prasada has followed its usual round of activities. In addition to our community Offices and Eucharists we continue our Sunday Eucharists twice a month and our Thursday Eucharists once a month.

This year we had more snow than we have experienced before. Usually, if we have snow at all, it lasts for twenty four hours. This year we had three separate falls, and one lot hung about for a week. The day I had to go to Arras for the Archdeaconry Synod, we woke up to deep snow. By the time we had managed to get the car out of the drive we wondered whether we would get to the station in time but we arrived with two minutes to spare. There was no snow at Arras but it was very cold. During the conference we discussed the report on Mission shaped church. The diocese in Europe, and particularly in France is rather differently from England, in that the numbers are growing, and new centres of worship are coming together in response to the great distances to local Chaplaincies. Because of this, worship is often followed by a meal, and is not always held on Sundays, giving clergy an opportunity to move around. These groups also need to call upon the laity to take a lead, and often meet for non-Eucharistic worship where no priest is available. It is not always easy for the clergy to “let go” as many feel they need to be in charge.

This year saw the launching of the Society of Catholic Priests, Europe. Bishop John Flack, the Archbishop’s Representative in Rome is our visitor. I had arranged to spend a few days at the Anglican Centre in order to meet up with him, but alas the Pope died and visits were cancelled. However, rather than waste an airfare, I found somewhere to stay and had three days Sight-Seeing. As it was my first visit I “did” Saint Peter’s the Sistine Chapel, a bus tour of the famous sites and a boat trip up the Tiber. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and hope to go again one day.

In July, I went to England for a fortnight, which included attending the Conference of the Society of Catholic Priests in Canterbury. I spent three days travelling through France and camping on the way, with a dome tent, a folding bed, a mattress and a sleeping bag. Setting up camp took about ten minutes after which I explored the town followed by a meal in a good restaurant.

September saw all the clergy of the Diocese in Europe, gathered together in Cologne. This was part of the events marking the Silver Jubilee of the formation of the diocese, joining together the North under Fulham and the South under the Bishop of Gibraltar. The theme of the conference was “Blessed to be a blessing.” We were privileged to have Archbishop Rowan with us for two days. He spoke on the Christian priest today. Dr. Grace Davie spoke on patterns of religion in Northern Europe; both took part in an open forum. The Conference was excellently planned, with small groups mixing priests from the different Archdeaconries. Above all the liturgy and Offices were varied and inspiring. The highlights were the service of wholeness and healing, the Eucharist at which Rowan Presided and the Concelebrated Eucharist where we all renewed our vows. For this occasion the Chaplain at Monaco and his family had made a white stole for each and all of us. These services were held in the chapel of the centre, which was dedicated to Edith Stein. Many of the features represented a concentration camp. - barbed- wire, the red of the gas, and a large crucifix. The Kardinal Schulte Centre where the conference was held provided first class accommodation and excellent food.

Some of the liturgical high spots of the year were Mothering Sunday when members of the congregation received flowers for mothers and grandmothers, cards representing Mary the mother of Jesus, and cake to remind us of Mother Church who feeds us. On Maundy Thursday the Eucharist was combined by a simple Passover meal and Easter Day found a packed Chapel. Some of the children in the congregation distributed Easter Eggs. The Highlight of the year however was Ascension Day. The Bishop of Monmouth, once a brother in C.G.A., presided and preached and during the Service four candidates were confirmed-three children and the father of one of them. Friends from other Chaplaincies came.

The weather kept fine for the outdoor Service but the rain sent us scurrying into the house for the picnic

Many of you will know that Brother Edwin died in October Jean was able to go to Devon for the Memorial service which followed the cremation. Here in Montauroux we held a Requiem Mass which was attended by many of the friends he had made in this area during his visits to us.

I continue giving English lessons in the village. Many of the members have been attending faithfully for nearly ten years.

Jean writes:

Like Cecile, I started my first long journey of the year in the snow. I also developed bronchitis and thought I might have to delay my trip to England. However, I was given an impressive packet of medicines by the doctor who assured me all would be well if I took them. He proved to be correct. I was lucky to have the company of a friend of ours, Sylvia. We shared the driving and arrived safely at Boulogne having battled through the snow. Our first destination was to the Brothers in Devon where we were royally treated and where the community chapter meeting was duly held. We then parted company and went to visit our various friends and relatives before driving back together. We had an interesting stay with a couple who are friends of Sylvia. They have renovated a lovely property in the Loire area and hope to use it as a centre for visitors. We then continued south and crossed the wonderful new viaduct at Millau.

I returned unexpectedly to England just recently as my sister developed a cancer of the breast and I went over to be with her and her husband when she had her surgery. I’m happy to say that the outcome has been excellent as the tumour was small and had not spread. As a nurse, I was very interested to observe her treatment. We all agreed that it could not have been bettered. The information given was clear and a counsellor was available at all times to answer any worries that the patient might develop. She was discharged the next day and cared for very well by an early discharge team. The N.H.S. is often compared unfavourably with the French system but in this instance the care given was as good as would have been given here. As Cecile mentioned, I was in England for Edwin’s Memorial service He would have been pleased that it was conducted in such a beautiful church at Stokenham. I fully intend to visit it again when I am next in Devon. He would also have appreciated the way Simon conducted the service and also spoke of him.

The sale of our land looks like being completed in January. We hope the government may leave us with enough money to do some work on the house. We do have a beautiful new kitchen now. We were driven to do this because the floor stated coming up. We are now very thankful that it did.

We are still trying to improve our French though it is a good deal better than when we came. Alas, our most recent teacher and the best I have ever had, has had to give up. However we hope to recommence with somebody else in January. We watch the French news still on our impressive replacement of the T.V. that died on us after sixteen years. We also read some French regularly.

I am off to England again shortly. This time it is a planned trip and I hope to be able to visit various friends. I shall be back in time for our annual effort of a Christmas dinner for Cécile’s English class. We shall be having our usual shared lunch at Christmas but it will be a more intimate affair than usual as many people will be away

A kind friend, Sheila Glick made this hanging for our lectern in Chapel

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For your Prayers

Sunday : Our Community, our Bishop Visitor Edward Holland

For our founders Bishops Peter and Michael in Somerset

Monday: For the Brothers and those who visit at Lamacraft Farm.

Tuesday: For the Sisters Jean and Cécile and their Community life together

Wednesday: For those who join us in our worship and

For those who stay with us for their rest and refreshment.

Thursday: For The Rev Peter Massey and his wife Shirley who are preparing their house to be a place of welcome and prayer.

Friday: For our French friends and neighbours, those who worship in Montauroux and in the chapel of the Pères Blanc at Tassy.

Saturday: For the British Association and the Amical of Fayence.